curry row is the section of 1st avenue perforated with indian restaurants. last night jake, rachael, lamar, and i had a hankering for some inexpensive indian, so i looked up a few on citysearch and it seemed that panna II indian garden was the best choice. i saw a few references to barkers, and sure enough, as lamar and i passed by on our way to meet jake and rachael, we were hollered at by the dark men hovering outside the restaurants. understand that in the area we were going to, there are two indian places next to each other, and then two more on top of those on the second floor of the building. so i guess they need "guides" to steer customers in. when we all returned, we hesitated for a moment, and we're literally shouted at with all manner of pleas and arguments trying to convince us we should dine at one of the four, ostensibly interchangeable, establishments. it turns out that the one downstairs and to the right has a tent out back where jake could eat and smoke (though i don't think he did), and free house wine with every meal, so that is where we went. the food was not bad, not great, but certainly inexpensive. the experience outside was so bizarre, that i'm tempted to go back next time i don't want indian food, stand around feigning indecision, say "mmm, nawh, eff alla y'allz" and walk off.