Spice: Hella Well-Lit

Location: University Place and 10th St.

I first wound up at Spice in May of 2003, when I was visiting my brother for his graduation. The restaurant was qualified as "Asian fusion" which made me feel very hip and sophisticated eating there. Obviously, anytime I describe it to anyone, I describe it with that word, although I have now realized that it's as exalted as I had once thought.

Anyway, this place was beyond hip. The interior had a curtain of plastic circles, and the chairs are kind of space-age (?) and everything is white, but not intimidatingly so, as in I feel no compulsion so suddenly speak in an English accent when I am there, or pretend I know everything about the independent music scene and the hopelessly ironic musicians that comprise it. (Both are completely impossible for me: my English accent has been described as just a string of monotonous words strung together--perhaps an attempt at communicating the dry British sense of humor. My knowledge of the indie music scene is only superseded by my ability to do a British accent)

I spent a majority of the first semester of freshman year attempting to persuade my roommates to eat there with me. Somehow, the walk to Spice (less than a block) was insurmountable. Finally, one glorious day, we went. Of course, I had the host jitters: the nervousness you feel when you are responsible for someone's enjoyment of the meal because you've already hyped it up so much that if they don't like it then you are some somehow to blame. Fortunately, it worked out. To the point where we decided to grant it our patronage when we were selecting the place where we would spend our money jar money at the end of the year. (they are eternally grateful)

But really, the reason we chose to eat there was because of their lunch special. Their lunch special is really great, and somehow, even when it is completely packed, I have never had to wait for a table. The service is really quick. Beware of the black noodle--it is lethally spicy. But the Drunk Man noodle is really good. So is the Pad Thai. And the lunch special includes an appetizer for 7.50. No right to complain, right? All the cool NYU students are eating there...