Way back in 2019, Professor and author Tom Nichols tweeted that “Indian food is terrible” and inevitably caused a furor on the internet. A lot of people who swear by desi khaana told him that he was sadly mistaken.
Many urged him to give it another try including former United States attorney Preet Bharara who offered to take him to a restaurant once it was safe to do so. And that day arrived recently when both of them decided to have dinner at an eatery named Sona in Manhattan.
Tom Nichols: I said I couldn't stand Indian food. Then a Twitter friend took me to dinner. https://t.co/FsY9OsAQaL via @USATODAY cc @PreetBharara
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) June 12, 2021
They ate mutton, fried ricotta, spicy shrimp, lamb chops, butter chicken, and of course, biryani. USA Today quoted him saying,
“A bowl of lamb biryani appeared in front of me. I looked at it – as I had at everything – with a bit of trepidation. But I dug in. Fragrant, with lamb I could cut with a fork. I was entranced. I had found an Indian dish, after years, that I loved. I polished it off.”
We have a winner. The first thing I would order again and could even imagine having a craving for at some point. Lamb biryani. Curse you, @PreetBharara pic.twitter.com/VCC8vs7hmU
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) June 11, 2021
So I woke up with just a tad of residual heartburn, which is fine considering I ate more Indian food in one sitting with @PreetBharara than I did in my entire life. And worth it to see that Covid relief for India is just a whisker away from 80K. Wowhttps://t.co/Lnr0BFt76a pic.twitter.com/fwncix1lwb
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) June 11, 2021
My work is done. I can report that this BS no longer stands. Am I right, @RadioFreeTom? pic.twitter.com/16a70ESm0c
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) June 11, 2021
I will admit that things may have changed. Pass the biriyani. https://t.co/9meIZ3jOMp
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) June 11, 2021
This is how people reacted to his change of heart:
It's amazing what an open mind can do…in all aspects of life.🤔 https://t.co/0QzpdJDdxX
— Loyal One (@hmr4life) June 13, 2021
@RadioFreeTom good that you changed your view slightly after one good Indian meal with @PreetBharara. Now to become a full convert , you should visit India & dare to try various street foods, not just gourmet Indian food & then share your experience with readers of @USATODAY. https://t.co/kL6Li9Dgfy
— K Sanjay Iyer (@sankiyer) June 13, 2021
As an Englishman, I always knew this moment was a long time coming and I’m glad you’ve finally seen the light.
— Gary Whitta (@garywhitta) June 12, 2021
Also India is such a massive multicultural nation to say you don’t like their food is like saying I don’t like a million dishes after having tried a dozen. Tandoori, Madras cuisine, Seafood, Meats & Curries from Muslims to the Muhgals, & the BEST Vegetarian food in the World!
— PincheGringo (@satcheso) June 12, 2021
Good for you! I grew up afraid of any food I didn’t grow up with. In my 30s, I moved to Seattle where my then girlfriend, a foodie, would patiently explain what was in any dish that frightened me. Now, not much scares me. Not even durian.
— MagneticShirts Brand (@MagShirts) June 12, 2021
Maybe this is why people say, don’t knock it till you try it!