Dinner and a Movie

Last night we went for a night out theme - Indian!

I've longed to check out the latest Wes Anderson film "The Darjeeling Limited" for-evah now and so finally I grabbed the chance. So, with that on our agenda, we stopped in to Sitar for a pre-movie nosh. I had curry to do something at home, but when it came down to it, I wanted the whole deal - the little dishes of tamarind sauce, mango chutney, mint chutney, pickled onion relish, the raita, and the naan. And papaddums. And naan. And a mango lassi.

So, no one does all that better here in Nashville than Sitar.



I think that due to the closing of another nearby Indian restaurant, Sitar has a new surge of patrons, as the waitstaff was on fire and zooming around like madmen during our visit. Nearly every table was filled, and service was a little slow, but it was worth the wait once the food started coming. My sweet lord, the vegetable samosas were deeeeelish, and my tandori chicken and spinach saag hit the spot. I don't eat lamb, so Scott's Lamb Rogan I can't vouch for. Indian is so great because there's so many different flavors - mint, mango, coriander, etc. - and with all of the little bowls of this and that to dip into and spread over things, it's very interactive.

After filling a takeout box to the brim with rice and the leftovers (and a half-nibbled on piece of naan), we went to see the movie.



I love all of W.A.'s films, and Darjeeling was a delight. I hadn't really seen much of Adrien Brody's work, and I was impressed with him. Much of the time Owen Wilson was on screen I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in his mind, given his recent offscreen jump off the deep end . His battered physical appearance seems to mirror much of what he's probably been going through internally.



In the movie, the brothers are on an Indian train and are often served what's called "Sweet Lime." I am curious to know what that's all about. I love lime flavored anything. Particularly mojitos! But that's a whole 'nother geographic cuisine deal...



I also went out to the new Phunky Griddle DIY breakfast joint in Berry Hill yesterday morning with Jenne and her mom. We ordered pancakes and mix-ins of coconut flakes, blueberries, pecans and strawberries. They turn on the griddle built into the center of the table and bring you pitchers of pancake batter, and then you're in control of your breakfast. I enjoyed the coconut - a new pancake taste for me. The food was great fuel for our adventure to Christmas Village at the TN Fairgrounds.



You really haven't lived until you make it through five ( or is it six? I lost count!) buildings chock full of stuff to eat, wear, put on your walls or on your dog, and on/under your Christmas tree. I personally didn't see why so many people break out the Christmas sweaters before Thanksgiving, but whatever floats your boat.
(I just need an excuse to post a photo of Colin Firth in his "raindeer jumper" from Bridget Jones' Diary. Indulge me.)Christmas Village was a real experience - nothing like the smell and sights of overeager shoppers ready to burn through their paychecks or their husbands' wallets, all for the glory of commerce. But really, I snagged a great poster of the Nashville skyline in the style of Van Gogh's Starry Night, and some ornaments from Mt. Airy, N.C. Plus some excellent and cheap homemade Christmas cards.



I can't bag on Christmas Village. Secretly I can't wait until next years so I can bring my mom, too.