Check the link for the comments of always right "customers" of a "fusion" restaurant:

http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=36026952&postID=116084707371341129



OM at Harvard Square

OM Restaurant, Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.


The word OM (AUM) signifies the sound that created universe. It is the symbol of Brahma the creator of the universe. A very religious significant word for the Hindu and the Buddhist - OM… Every mantra starts with OM. It represents primordial vibration from which everything begins…

And so OM at Harvard Square begins the disappointment as you enter through the
Nepali carved door that leads inside to the lounge suggest nothing has been created at Harvard Square, but a mediocre translation of OM - Culturally along with the Culinary…

Food preparation has all the pomp and ceremony but no AAH to the palate. The chef’s compliment – is a total waste and a poor start to the fanfare that it so pretentiously glorifies. The starter popcorn with the cheese sprinkled on it tastes dull. There is nothing modern to American food as you dig into the Lamb Shank.

What is more sad and petrifying is the Buddha looking at your food and the drink. Buddha that symbolizes peace, non – violence, is put on the holes in the wall and embedded… overlook the tables… while people sink their knives into the pork bellies and the shank. There is no Nirvana but only the noises and the horrifying deconstruction of an old tradition, culture and the art, of the people, the place, and the artist – be it the owners father. Buddha must be crying somewhere…

The only piece of art that personifies the place is Kal Bhairav – the Lord Shiva himself – the destructor or the destroyer… OM restaurant – where you could have seen the beginning of all things that could be calm, serine, and wholesome is really a place that emphasizes the modern world where there is nothing but destruction. And, so Kal Bhairav symbolizes the destruction of all that could have been good… if the creator of the place had really thought correctly the usage of such a powerful symbol OM – as you even utter the word OM you can feel the peace within yourself.

As I looked at the Kal Bhairav – the so powerful presence… I must give thanks to the artist that created it. Looking at it you can feel the power and you can almost see yourself transferred to Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu Nepal where the 10 foot tall stone statue of the same sits… My heart wants to take the artist creation not only of the Kal Bhairav, but every Buddha statue the every art and rescue it from the rude owner and take it away from the “bhati” or bar and put it in a place that it would truly belong – such as a museum of traditional art… where people would appreciate the artist and the creator and know where it comes from.

The fusion of the east and west leaves a bad taste in the mouth – a bad taste in the intellect and a misplaced restaurant at Harvard Square. It tries to belong and cater to the intellectual capital of the world – only to insult it.

Hushpuppy - Opposite the Galleria Mall on first street. Try their kebabs - they're all pretty good. The rest of the menu looks tempting too: - http://www.helmandrestaurantcambridge.com/ent5.htm

Bon Appetite. I'm offta lunch now.

Haven't really tried a whole lot of Afghan drinks - I've only had wine when I went there.

Age has never played a vital role in my life and hiding it has never been a part of me that is why i make it a point to celebrate my birthday every year with a bash and sometimes I try to celebrate even my half birthday, I have met quite a few people who were my senior in Nepal but are younger than me now and that is perfectly fine with me too. Sorry haddock for sounding so obvious and expecting you to figure out everything. I really did not want to get offensive with anyone but would you ignore if someone called you names and poked fun at you. Our main intent was to share our bad experience at OM, but Hush puppy calling me a "stingy B....tch" and more how would you justify that?? I am asking you that because you said "conversations are fun only when you critisize ideas not people" How can you critisize a resturant without mentioning how the management treated us?? I think your theory is applicable to individuals but in the public sector one has to be open to criticism and should be able to learn from their critics and try to improve for betterment. Lucky you!! having lunch and dinner in various good places let us know the names of good ones. thanks and no hard feelings and I didn't mean you were old when I said you sounded like one!!

He he Dimple, yeah, no hard feelings - none at all! :) If I had hard feelings or held grudges I don't know where I would be in life. It's just not my cuppa!

Lucky *you* - celebrating your birthday every year. As for me, I am often reminded of mine when the parents call at the dot of midnight ... ha ha ha. Embarrassing, yes, but we always have a good laugh about it. It is sometimes hard to believe how time flies ... but, oh well, that's besides the point.

You must have been to PF Changs China Bistro, right? Good stuff there. I also like Elephant Walk and Carambola (French-Cambodian). The Blue Room at Kendall is also good - venison, braised rabbit and other interesting stuff.

To good life.

One final thought: Bad behavior is not to be excused, but when you obsess about it, who suffers?

oooohhh pooor baby she's hurt...now why is she whinning...craving for some attention...??? HONEY if you think you're gonna turn me on...with your pathetic.... mama papa stories....forget it.....I 'll keep my lesbian rights to my self..you really do sound like a woman on "crack"...and if you have not realized you just made "OM" famous by keeping this sick thread alive.......

...and if you start taking every word for granted literally....it proves to all that you 're a ignorant woman.........be cool..understand..what is humor and what is not....no hard feelings... ...

I'm going watch Umrao Jaan ...again..now please never bother me....

Hush - Loved that movie!

This thread has been blessed with eternal life it seems ... I'm going to try my best to sit back, relax and enjoy the show (if there is to be any more) ....

(I might be back if the temptation gets too strong ...LOL!)

Have a good one all!

lets refrain from calling names.... I think we are all adults and should behave like one humor or no humor.

As for the MOMOs - I read it in one of the magazine that the momo is made by the same that makes in many Boston area restaurants. I know I read it somewhere otherwise I would not have said so.. If I find it I will certainly let you know which magazine.

For Helmand - it is one of the best place - Food is good - make reservation before you go - the wait can be forever.

As for OM - did have reservation - but it was all trying to show how busy and sought after the place is as there was a table when we walked in any way... so...

Then there is Buddha Bar - in NYC ,Paris, Dubai - same concept OM picked it up... Using Buddha... poor Buddha he is everywhere even in places he probably did not dream of or saw it coming... In Afganisthan the Talibans destroyed his stautes the restauranteers use it to make money...
How many American restaurant are there where you see statues of Jesus Christ on the cross as the theme of the place...
Masala Art boasts of a huge Ganesh behind the bar - and poor Ganesh tucked behind the alcohol and the wine...

Maybe this is the way it is and not all have to accept it...

Helmand is great - better than OM - Never been to Afganisthan - but what they serve looks pretty good and tastes awesome... A must go. I would recommend it to anyone anytime.

I adamantly believe this hush puppy chick is into drugs and feels the world around her are alike, pathetic and outrageous that she may sould still hopes the boys will think of her as cool. The most indecent human I have exchanged my views with and sadly thinks herself to be cool. Uttering anything that comes to her mind without thinking because the power of thinking diminishes on the likes of her. I pity her and wish her the best and hope she can settle down in life. As for me I am blessed and couldn't ask for more and difinitely not Hushpuppy's hypocritic sympathy. You'll need that at the rate you're going save it for your future!!! I want Om to thrive in business and outshine in customer service and be the best and most famous resturant in Greater Boston. just because I had a bad experience does not mean i wish them ill. It is human to err and it is also human to correct ones mistakes, and if the owner has been reading it I am sure he mellow down. I wish all business owners espcially Nepalese to flourish and I have no vendetta with the owner of OM I hope his name will come atop on the list of rich and famous. I do not comply with your sense of humor miss Hush puppy as I think we have different wavelenghts.

jesus ...u r obsessed with me..my God..sister ..go see a doc...and thanks for the nice comments..I love you too... dimple ..the simple lady..ahem!!

OH MY FUGGING GOD !!
STOP THIS INSANITY !!
Obssesive compulsive !!

Dimple, oh Dimple!

(sighs)

Where do I even begin? Never mind, what's the use? No matter what I say, it seems to fall on deaf ears. So let me change tact. Since you found the wherewithal to forgive OM, it workers and its owners, I hope, in the same spirit, you will be able to move past Hushpuppy's comments too. That is what I wish for you, for your peace and sanity and for the harmony of this entire forum.

Also, while I don't agree with Hush's choice of words, things like these do happen in online communities. To really enjoy life in the cyberspace, you need to have the skin of a rhinoceros - duh, that's only common sense, isn't it? This is not your living room where you chose whom to invite to polite conversation and whom to keep out. I have no problems that you are going after her. I probably would have done the exact same thing. If I am not satisfied with something, I sometimes tend to chase it down to the ends of the earth. But with one difference: I know when to let go and when it stops making sense. If you are so thin skinned that you can't handle a bit of needling and profanity , then you shouldn't be on a forum like this. Sorry, but I can't see it any other way.

At the risk of aggravating you further, I must say I am amazed at the amount of negativity thrown around on this thread. By everyone - not just you. I also don't understand why you are taking every word of hers so seriously. Have you clicked on her user name to see some of her other postings? If you did, you would know what I meant. She, like a lot of others, is here to have fun, at least that's what it seems to me, and maybe she crossed a line a bit. But you never gave her the benefit of the doubt, you never considered that she might have gotten carried away at that moment and made a comment in poor taste, and instead you go on and on about it like there is nothing else to life because of it.

I am not here to defend Hush. I have no reason to and she is perfectly capable of doing it herself. She doesn't even know me. What bugs me is how you are acting like this is the first time you have ever posted on a discussion forum. How come you are not familiar with the way people talk on forums like these? At first I thought it was a generational thing and thought I understood but you have since implied that that is not the case. That only leaves me to believe that you are either unfamiliar with how things work but trying to conceal it or you are deliberately being mean-spirited.

In either case, it suits me fine, because I don't stand to loose anything. The same cannot be said of you.

OMG this is getting Ridiculous.. my solemn apologies to ALL..for causing this chaos...PEACE PEACE PEACE ...i'll stay away from this thread or have San cancel it.

Sorry I just lost it ....

But it's out of my system now ... am gonna get back to work. Will check back in the evening.

Later.

Got your point Capt. I am indeed new to this kind of forum where this chick has been soliciting drugs and labeling me as an addict and all kinds of profanity and yet I am supposed to take it with a pinch of salt... fine I'll do that because I am reminded of a term popularly used in Nepal I don't know whether you are familiar " bharang muni ko kura yestai huncha" Very popular terminology among the "Rana's?" from junga Bahadur's clan. And age wise I am pretty mature and am comfortable to overlook many things said and done but I was just marveling the cheek and audacity of Hush puppy who could stoop so low, now she is trying to show her influence( source force ) to even shut this down wow!!! Big deal. Believe me I need not conceal my new entry to this kind of forum and I realize that I do not clearly belong to it and since you have enlightened me again I do not hesitate to thank you heartily, and adieu to you captain and now you can heave a sigh of relief.Khuda hafis!!

Now let's talk about sexxx shall we? hahahhahahahaa

i somehow have a feeling that
hushpuppy and dimple are the coveted one and the same.
otherwise they would not be fighting for so long.

so, dimple jyu hajur pani rana(i.e. JBR) khandhan ko hoisinchha ho (O:

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun!!

Dimple, it would be a shame if you left Sajha. I hope the Khudahafis was only for this thread. I usually hesitate to praise others but I must say you have been one of the finest people I have come across on Sajha minus, if I may, your occasional tendency to obsess with the trivial. (Allow me that, ok, after all this ...LOL!) With your unique style and world view, you have brought a certain grace and elegance to this forum that was sorely lacking. Not just that, and much more importantly, you are a thoughtful and articulate person who speaks her mind. I'll take that any day over someone who doesn't know what the hell they are talking about. There is only one thing worse than a stupid fool: a stupid fool who can't keep his or her mouth shut. Believe me, I have come across too many of those in life, and it is always a pleasure to engage with some one like you who is the polar opposite.

And I couldn't care less whether you were an aristocrat or a homeless person.You have proved yourself through your ideas and contributions to the great discourse that is Sajha and everything else is immaterial to establishing your credibility.

Now please stay and keep contributing to Sajha, will you? (just not this thread) ...:)

How about this thread ? - http://www.sajha.com/sajha/html/OpenThread.cfm?forum=2&ThreadID=38224

(since you are from Boston and might have interesting experiences to share ... and no one else seems interested ... he he he)

Ma salama!

Captain Oh Captain!
with freedom comes responsibility and you can't just jabber what ever you want just because you have a pseudo name and no one will know... Forum like these are to express your self and not just for cheap thrills - There are places for that as well... You don't like a place or thing and you voice your opinion - ( Opinion are neither right or wrong) but as a contributor to your opinion one does not have to stoop low and use foul langauages just because you want to because forum like these allow you to do so.
Yes there are a lot of people disgusted with OM and the behaviour of the owner - the service was not up to par with what was expected and thus this thread was started...
Negatativy brings negativity - but just saying what you want to just does not make sense and I think Dimple has the point to stand up for what is right!
You are a sensible person for what I read thus far.. and given your views rightly and it is enjoyable to read and have a sane discourse... once it gets out of hands.. people who would have contributed and made it worth while will run away and this Community Building" will be a laughing matter... And of course this is just an opinion...
One can bash it and throw it under the bridge - or take it as a piece of an intellecutal discourse - or put it under spending <$25 things you can do sitting at home... :)

Reviewrestaurant -

I am smiling at your salulation - full credits for wittiness and half credit for creativity :) I am quite amused by your response. Not the least because I agree with the core of what you are saying. With a few specific exceptions. Allow me to go through those:

"with freedom comes responsibility and you can't just jabber what ever you want just because you have a pseudo name and no one will know... Forum like these are to express your self and not just for cheap thrills - There are places for that as well..."

Cheap thrill? I question why you would say such a thing but, more importantly, let me say in all honesty that I feel I have carried myself about on this thread just as I would on any of the other threads that I am a part of on Sajha. But there is no intent on my part to get a "cheap thrill" out of this. There were times where I might have sounded harsh, and times when I might have lost my cool, and times when I might have nudged and needled in the spirit of an open forum, but unless I am missing something, I honestly think your characterization of my intent and behaviour is not accurate.

"You don't like a place or thing and you voice your opinion - ( Opinion are neither right or wrong) but as a contributor to your opinion one does not have to stoop low and use foul langauages just because you want to because forum like these allow you to do so.
Yes there are a lot of people disgusted with OM and the behaviour of the owner - the service was not up to par with what was expected and thus this thread was started... "

Agree 100%. I would even go as far as applauding such clear thinking. We might each approach such a situation and its aftermath differently but you are on the mark with those statements. As for threads, if you look around on Sajha, a whole lot of peripheral and tangential issues also get discussed in such threads and this was no exception.

"Negatativy brings negativity - but just saying what you want to just does not make sense ..

I could argue differently but that would probably need a whole new thread to do it justice. I get the drift of it and can accept it as opinion different from mine. Not right or wrong, but as you pinted out , just different.

"..and I think Dimple has the point to stand up for what is right! "

No questions there and she sure did a heck of a job - kudos to her. I have already expressed why I had issues with some of what she said and we have exhausted that subject and my feelings about it still remain the same. I actually agreed with quite a bit of what she said but the discussions did not turn out to be about our agreements. They always got steered to what we disagreed on - no suprise there - such is the nature of discussion boards. I admit that at times a bit of it might have been about style rather than substance. And shame on us both for that. I personally think I tired but your guess is as good as mine as to why I might have failed.

But I ask you to be fair to me as well. How can you hang someone for trying to inject what he thought was a dose of sanity in a discussion that was getting peppered with nasty personal attacks?

" You are a sensible person for what I read thus far.. and given your views rightly and it is enjoyable to read and have a sane discourse... once it gets out of hands.. people who would have contributed and made it worth while will run away and this Community Building" will be a laughing matter... And of course this is just an opinion... "

Thanks. The same applies to you too - I have no reasons to question your sensibility. We come from different places on this but even when I have disagreed with you, I have respected your opinion. As for community building, it's already been there for several years and it's growing stronger. Just look at the stats behind the site. It's amazing. Full credits to San and everyone else, admins and users, who have played their part in making it happen. For me everyone who drops by to read and post on Sajha has an opportunity to join the play and if they chose not to, then that's upto them.

"One can bash it and throw it under the bridge - or take it as a piece of an intellecutal discourse - or put it under spending <$25 things you can do sitting at home... :) "

I like the sense of humor there! :) I am curious to hear any further thoughts from you. I think this converstaion you and I are having is proof of the fact that this issue can be discussed, if not settled, amicably, if only we don't get bogged down in triles and know when to let go.