A Bite of Jackson Heights
by Neena Noneit, Staff Writer

If you ever get bored of the city on a Saturday, hop the 7 train chugging out of the tunnel and into the sky, and get off at 74th Street. Bring plenty of money with you in case you discover the perfect kitschy knicknack to bring home and set up on your shelf to annoy your roommate for disturbing your beauty sleep.

If you are a textile fan, you'll find enough sari stores filled with fabrics and fancy jewelry pricey enough to make you gasp. The jewelry designs are very fine, delicate, and would make perfect wedding gifts for anyone. If music is the only thing you live for, hunt around for the Sona Music House hidden in a basement shop specializing in Indian music and DVD's. There is an Indian movie theater but you're going to have to ask around because it's hidden out of mainstream eyesight.

However, the best part about this place has to be the food. You can go to the swankier Jackson Diner or the homier and cozier restaurant next to it for a buffet under ten dollars. They serve a variety of curries that can appease any taste and warm rotis to seep up the last spoonfuls of sauce on your plate. Both offer mango lassis, Indian-style shakes for between three and four dollars; they are very good.

When you're done, you can look around for a sweetshop where you can buy a sweet for a dollar each or go to a man standing outside next to the doorway of the Patel Brothers supermarket and cough up a dollar to buy kulfi - a frozen, ice-cream like treat- on a stick. On the left side of the supermarket is an aisle of frozen dishes, including precooked Indian cuisine. A variety of well-organized packages of rice sit on the far right along with an assortment of jars lining the back wall. If you like chutney, you will find it here. If you like curry powder and cumin, you will find it here too. All you roti lovers out there - don't hesitate to come here and stock up your cabinets at home! Other supermarkets in this neighborhood don't stock up on nuts the way Patel Brothers does. Not only does this supermarket offer large bags of almonds but also crumbled coconut. It's the perfect store for nut lovers and confectionary bakers.

If you still hadn't had your fill after perusing around, walk over to 78th street and visit America's 99 Cent Store for deals on Goya brands, party favors and 99 cent knick knacks for that special someone you want to shock. If this isn't your deal and you're more into class, you can cross the street and hunt through Famous Brands for a marked down pair of cargo pants from UnionBay for fifteen dollars or a Donna Karan sweater on discount. You can even buy a pair of The Limited gloves for two dollars. It's no Armani boutique but if you like buying things cheap, this is the perfect store in the perfect neighborhood to do just that.