another idea in NYC is to find a Korean restaurant - since at least part of the cuisine is spicy. Kim chee, the pickled spiced cabbage is an acquired taste, IMO - but *I* like it <g>. A perpetual favorite of mine is bibbim bahp, which I usually order with extra hot sauce. The dish is usually served on a bed of rice,with several raw vegetables (cucumbers, carrots, bean sprouts, etc.), broiled marinated beef, topped off with a sunnyside up fried egg. Add in a dash of korean hot sauce... mmm. There's even a Korean restaurant in the financial district, on John Street, called Seh Ja Meh. Bernie