I finally got to have dinner at my favorite restaurant, the Bombay Cricket Club, last night. My family is in birthday season, which begins in late October and runs through early December.

Both my sister and I tried to make dinner reservations at this restaurant on our respective birthdays, but ended up being turned away because of their inability to accommodate groups of more than 5 or 6, unless we were able to be there by 5pm. This has been a bummer (especially after a disappointing visit to Marrakesh on my birthday) as their Indian cuisine is sooooooo yummy. The down side is that the Bombay Cricket Club is frequently compared to the establishment owned by the "soup nazi" from Seinfeld.

When I called Wednesday to make the reservation for Thursday, I was very sly about it. I said oh, we have 4 adults...and then very quickly...and 3 kids. He hesitated. Can we come in at 6:30? He said, I can't do anything after 6pm. I was on the computer instant messaging my sister to make sure that she could be there by 6. He said, you can call back later. I said, oh no, it's fine, we will make it by 6. Ok, he said, but I just want to let you to know that we do not seat anyone until the entire party arrives. I knew this, because once Jen and two of her friends had been made to sit outside at a mini table to eat dinner, because one of them had arrvied late. But we don't complain. We continue to eat the food, savoring every bite and drink the amazing mango-ritas (no more than two or a cab will be necessary). We make sure that we always make reservations and we are always on time. Anyone who knows me, knows that is no small feat.

Everyone loves the food there, but the comments regarding the restaurant have a common thread - good food, bad service. Entries such as this abound on Citysearch, "If the chef, Mahksood, was running both the front of the house as well as creating the beautiful dishes he already makes, this would be my favorite restaurant. Unfortunately the dining area exists now as a fascist state. Trying to take your time, splitting entrees, or showing up a person short will all get you hated on. I've never experienced that kind of uncomfortability anywhere."

I made sure that we were all there by six to celebrate Grandpa Bob's birthday. I made phone calls to everyone in the party emphasizing the need for promptness. I couldn't stomach (pardon the pun) the idea of being greeted by, "Sorry, you are late - NO CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA FOR YOU!!"

It was delicious.