which ended in our trying the falooda from the Dosa Factory and learning that neither of us actually likes cold noodles in our otherwise milkshake-like dessert
Have you had the Persian version of falooda at Lala Rokh (they spell it faludeh)? Shaved ice is the more dominant component, with some noodles mixed in. The rose syrup is poured over and the whole thing is topped with a few sour cherries. I miss it a lot.

Dude! It's Tesla's birthday! Do something mad science-y today for him.
Today is so not the day to encourage me in this. :)