Indian restaurants midtown east? (2024)

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David G. Imber

2006-05-22 20:05:14 UTC

On Mon, 22 May 2006 14:39:30 -0400, "Elizabeth Blake"

Post by Elizabeth Blake
Has anyone eaten at one of the numerous Indian restaurants that are all
around Lexington & the side streets in the 20's - 30's? I work in that area
and sometimes I get a craving for fast Indian food, but have no idea which
one to choose since there are so many.

In my life I suppose I've eaten at every restaurant in "Little
India" at one time or another, and there's so much variation in terms
of flavors and styles that it's hard to give a blanket recommendation.
But I'll give you a good suggestion just the same.

Actually three, because I'll tell you to avoid "Curry in a
Hurry", or to try it sometime, but be aware that it's really not very
good. I eat there (when I want, um, curry, and I'm in a hurry), but
it's like eating at McDonald's - you're not there for the cuisine.
Nevertheless, it's cheap, fast and fun (like Micky D's I guess).

I'll also recommend Kalyustan's upstairs service. I think you
probably know the Kalyustan market downstairs, as it's one of the most
famous places for Indian and other provisions on that strip (I think
it's between 29th and 30th on Lex, east side of the street). Upstairs
they have wonderful fast food. It's cheap and easy and very
fulfilling. Their mujadara, for example, is among the best I've had.
But this is not Indian food, although there may be some Indian dishes
mixed in. The owners are Lebanese, I think. Anyway, please do try it -
you won't be disappointed.

For Indian food that is both FAST and really GOOD, go off the
strip - but you don't have to go too far.

MINAR
5 West 31st Street
(212) 967-2727

And there's another location:

MINAR
138 West 46th Street
(212) 398-4600

These places are great, and I've had my opinion supported by
more than one Indian associate who's told me that the food here has
exactly the sort of taste and feel they associate with home.

Enjoy, DGI

Greg Pratt

2006-05-26 08:22:12 UTC

Post by Elizabeth Blake
Has anyone eaten at one of the numerous Indian restaurants that are all
around Lexington & the side streets in the 20's - 30's? I work in that area
and sometimes I get a craving for fast Indian food, but have no idea which
one to choose since there are so many.

In addition to the other suggests made by folks here, there are three or
four South Indian places in Curry Hill (the aforementioned section around
Lexington Ave.). It's not designed as "fast" food, but it's relatively
quick to prepare, and will work for lunch or other meals where you're not
looking to lounge around for long. The only exception to this is Pongal.
I've noticed that they're often slower than many of their neighbors. On
the other hand, they're quite good, as the waiting list for dinner will
attest.

Another place worth trying is Dimple, 11 W. 30th St. (between Broadway &
5th). This is fast food. But within that genre, it's fairly good, and
quick. And they have something few other places in NYC have: a good
selection of chaats. These are lip-smacking, tangy street foods that are
a little hard to describe. But do try one. Or two. (Beware: each plate
is like a large appetizer.)

If you happen to be in Jackson Heights, the original Dimple is at 35-68
73rd St., a couple of blocks north of the 74th & Broadway train station.

--
Gregory Pratt ***@panix.com
East Rutherford, NJ, USA http://www.panix.com/~gp/
"The only good spammer is a dead spammer."
PGP Key Fingerprint: DC60 FCDE 91E2 3D41 91A3 45DB B474 3D3A 3621 AAFE

V

2006-06-12 07:27:18 UTC

Post by Elizabeth Blake
Has anyone eaten at one of the numerous Indian restaurants that are all
around Lexington & the side streets in the 20's - 30's? I work in that area
and sometimes I get a craving for fast Indian food, but have no idea which
one to choose since there are so many.

Pongal on Lex between 27-28 is the best. They aren't slow ( as someone
else noted), they are just a bit more meticulous than the rest. The
others are mostly a generic variety of the same (ie South Indian food).
If you go to Pongal, try their Moru ( a spicy drink) and their badam
halwa ( a dessert). Just beautiful. No one else comes closer.

For fast indian food, Minar as other recommended is the best. This is
ofcourse abit further away from where you are, but worth a visit.
Cheap, good Indian food. More like home cooked food, than anything else
I've had in Manhattan ( or New York for that matter)