Village Mingala

I've always wanted to go to Burma. Something about that location- neighboring India, China, and Thailand- promises glorious eating adventures. Unfortunately, even the promise of fantastic meals isn't enough to get me there while the brutal military dictatorship is still in power. Luckily, there's a place in New York that offers a good sampling of Burmese cuisines. Village Mingala (21 East 7th Street East Village) has a very cute interior, friendly hosts, and really good food. Their lunch special is a significant bargain, $6.50 for soup and and main dish of your choice.