Balaka Indian Restaurant - Corner of 14th and 6th Ave

legalalien · December 2009

Went last night for opening night. As a Brit, this is the closest any curry house has got to a British curry experience...and that is the reason why I bloody love it.

Park Slope Bistro was a flaming disaster, but hopefully these guys will be successful because the food was awesome.

I can tell you that the Lamb Rogan Josh and Chicken Korma were both great and the different sauces were pretty much spot on too. The popadums and naan were perfect oo.

The owner/head waiter is amusing/crazy and says Balaka is owned by the guys who run Bombay Dream on Smith St. The Yelp reviews of that place aren't good, but they must have different chefs on 6th avenue, because it was great.

Please go and see for yourselves and keep this place alive!

ljnd · December 2009

Legal, I saw this yesterday and wondered! Thanks for this review - I will pass this along to my guy - we love Indian food. And Chicken Korma is my all-time favorite.

pm · December 2009

Thanks for the heads up - will definitely check it out. Not seen the Yelp reviews but we like Bombay Dream a lot (though Raga's better when drinking - the food has a bit more kick to it). More locally, Kinari's menu seems erratically hit and miss, so good to have a new option.

Just a quick question - was the food actually spicey? So often it seems that Indian food in NY errs on the safe/bland side.

veets · December 2009

Yep... I am looking to avoid the bland thing. But either way I would like to avoid what PS offers... the americanization of Indian food so very interested in a new option.

pmonk · December 2009

The Slopes needs a good Indian place

veets · December 2009

MMM... might take the 7 people we are having dinner with tonight there.. if it is open on Christmas Eve.

Indian people don't celebrate this holiday.. do they?

bookistan · December 2009

A small percentage of Indians are Christian and they celebrate but it's definitely a minor holiday in India. Walked by today (Xmas) and it looked like they were getting ready to open.

opossumqueen · December 2009

We had one of three occupied tables around 8 last night.

Before I report on our experience, let me say that I wouldn't know authentic or any other type of Indian food if it hit me in the face. I don't love Indian food, but I do like it occasionally. I can just say whether or not I Iiked what I had.

I think this place has a chance of surviving.

Portions were perfect (not too big) and service was top notch. Garlic nan was awesome, vegetable pakoras were about like every other I've had and chutney's were good. We got two chicken entrees: tikka masala and vindaloo. Both were fantastic. I rarely think a dish that is labled as spicy/hot actually is but the vindaloo knocked my socks off. I was lucky we had the very mild (but very flavorful) tikka masala to chase it with.

After our meal the owner or manager guy very sincerely asked us what we thought of the dishes. We had no bad words, but would have shared any problems b/c the way he asked made you feel like he really just wants to do well.

The decor and lighting could use a few tweaks to make it warmer and more inviting inside, but service and food were very good.

MOD · December 2009

OQ, how much were the dinner entrees? Were the appetizers part of the meal or paid separately. (you know how Kinara gives you a free app)

opossumqueen · December 2009

They have a "special offer" on delivery that is 14.95 for:
one app, one entree (includes nan, rice, raita,and chutney)

We just ordered separate stuff. With tax, our meal of one app, one nan (they put some roti, I think it was, out for free), two entrees was about $34.

Some basics from the menu I have:
breads are about $3-4
desserts $3
apps are $5 veg or $8 meat
entrees are around $10-13 (come with a big serving of rice)

pastoralia · December 2009

I'll check it out but there is good Indian on Flatbush called Joy. It's between St. Marks and Prospect. Very authentic and spicy and they deliver to the Slope. The number is 718-230-1165.

Their Lamb Jahlfrezi isn't on the menu but if you ask for it they'll make it. My Brit friend turned me on to the place and he knows curry.

pastoralia · December 2009

PS...are these guys affiliated at all with the disaster of a restaurant that was in there before (Slope's Bistro)?

MOD · December 2009

pastoralia wrote: I'll check it out but there is good Indian on Flatbush called Joy. It's between St. Marks and Prospect. Very authentic and spicy and they deliver to the Slope. The number is 718-230-1165.

Their Lamb Jahlfrezi isn't on the menu but if you ask for it they'll make it. My Brit friend turned me on to the place and he knows curry.

Oh dear, Joy was barely passable 2 years ago, even then still bad for authentic Indian, but last time I ordered it (a month ago) it was bland bland bland, I mean inedible. But that's for another thread, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Balaka

willregistersoon · December 2009

I stopped in Jackson Heights on my way up to Westchester this weekend. 2 blocks off the BQE - Roosevelt Ave. Dera is the name. Once you have that (or the chicken tikka kebab at Kebab King down the street) all other Indian food is ruined for you. Nothing compares. For $35 I got 3 naans, 2 meat dishes (full portions), 3 veggie dishes and a rice pudding. It's technically Pakistani food, but very similar. Only warning - do not go here if you don't like spicy food.

pastoralia · December 2009

Mamacita,

I don't find Joy's lamb Jalfrehzi bland and I like spicy food. It is the only thing I ever order from there. What would you recommend for good Indian in the Slope?

doublediamond · December 2009

I'm with Mamacita re: Joy. Bland, bland, bland. Indian food is my favorite cuisine. I like it as authentic as I can get, so I try places catering to other Indians rather than to Americans (which seems to be my issue with Joy. I make better Indian food than they do).

But, on topic: I'm desperate for good local Indian food, so I'll give this place a try soon and report back.

pastoralia · December 2009

Huh...surprised at all the Joy hate. I'm no Indian food expert but I've always liked what I've got from them (which is the same dish every time).

I don't think there's a huge Indian demographic in the Slope with a restaurant that "caters to other Indians." This isn't Jackson Heights so where is the best Indian alternative in the Slope? I don't think Kinara or Baluchi's is it.

MOD · December 2009

There is none, there's only passable Indian. As in "I don't want to go to Jackson Heights but I'm desperate for some Vindaloo"

8thandprez · December 2009

We had delivery from Balaka last night. Chicken Biryani, Muttar Paneer, and Malai Kofta. I can summarize the meal with one word: BLAND.

Very little flavor, the Malai Kofta and Muttar Paneer were bathed in a uniform orange sauce... it didn't appear to have ANY spice in it at all. Utterly, totally boring and flavorless. We also ordered garlic naan and got regular naan.

All in all, we won't be trying Balaka again, especially with Kinara so close.

8thandprez · December 2009

I'm also with Pastoralia... Joy was always solid, dependable Indian (together with Kinara). I need my food to have a little flavor and like my Indian with a little spice... the sauce on the malai kofta and muttar paneer was actually kind of gross. Like a melted orange crayon.

opossumqueen · December 2009

Indian just doesn't belong here I think... I love how the opinions on the various places around here go. Each of us seems to think one of two things (good or bad), but there's little consensus. Either way, it sucks to have a disappointing experience with a meal.

I thought Joy was bland and the spicy vindaloo at Balaka kicked my ass and we both thought the tikka masala had great flavor (and as a southerner, I have trouble finding food I think is as flavorful and bold as the stuff I grew up on).

Personally, I think Indian food is NEVER good as delivery. If I can't eat it fresh in the restaurant, I'm not getting it.

mr. mike · January 2010

Kinara is shit. Kinara is one of the worst restaurants I have ever eaten dinner at. Certainly the worst service. Their delivery is edible in the same way mcDonalds is edible. Bombay Grill is decent. I've had very spicy lamb vindaloo from there. It's still not great. Baluchi's is about the same as bombay grill in terms of quality, but not quite as good. Definitely blander. and more expensive. I'll have to try this new place.

8thandprez · January 2010

Wow.... those are harsh words for Kinara. We've always been pleased with their delivery. Same with Joy. Baluchi's, on the other hand (at least the Smith St location) has always been pretty bland. But nothing beats Balaka for blandness.

jamzer · January 2010

8thandPrez wrote: Wow.... those are harsh words for Kinara. We've always been pleased with their delivery. Same with Joy. Baluchi's, on the other hand (at least the Smith St location) has always been pretty bland. But nothing beats Balaka for blandness.

I agree. Kinera is our favorite take out Indian. No - it is not perfect, but it usually is very good.

reader · January 2010

We ate at Balaka on New Years Eve.

I thought the food was a bit better than Kinara. I thought the service was excellent, much better than Kinara. In addition, I liked the fact that water is served in glass instead of the metal containers that Kinara uses.

We all enjoyed the things we ordered. When we sat down, they put a plate of pappdums and a conditment tray out immediately. We had some mixed appetizers, I liked the samosa and chicken tikka which were both lightly spiced and tender.

The mains of lamb korma, rogan jost, chicken saag and an mixed tandori grill were all flavorful. I thought everything was tasty, with varied flavors for each dish. To many indian resturarants make the mistake of thinking that "hot" is the only flavor that matters.

I don't generally like indian desserts, so the cheese balls in honey didn't thrill me, but the rice pudding was decent.

They also served some domestic sparkling wine on the house to everyone to celebrate the New Year.

I definitely will go back, I hope they do well.

southslopesuit · January 2010

I tried Balaka recently and was quite satisfied. I'll probably stick to Kinara for now, but will happily throw in an order to Balaka now and then to mix it up.

Kinara's limited delivery menu annoys me, and I wish they offered more than a thimble of raita with their orders, but aside from that, always consistently good.

Joy and all the others always manage to disappoint in some way - any given order will have a decent dish or two, along with one disaster.

8thandprez · January 2010

well, perhaps Balaka had an off night when we ordered. To be honest, I'm really hesitant to give them a second chance though; we only order out a few times per month, so I need some degree of predictability in what I'm going to get. Our old standby's are Kinara, Hunan Delight, AM Thai Basil, and Ten.

mr. mike · January 2010

OK, let me give you all my beef with kinara. I will agree their delivery is fine. Food is decent. But Kinara seems to be exclusively a delivery joint, they are actively rude from the moment you walk in. I go in with my girlfriend, and let me tell you I'm not an asshole customer - I have worked in the service industry and I know how difficult it is. But this was different.

From the moment we asked for water (from those weird disgusting metallic-tasting cups) - we were rushed and insulted and argued with. My girlfriend had a fork with crusty bits on it. disgusting! She asked for a new one and the guy actually argued with her that it was clean. He finally got her a new one, with a huge rude sigh and muttering under his breath. youd think we asked for free steak. He then slammed our entrees on the table, enough to slop sauce all over the plate onto the tablecloth, and almost all over my gf. Then, to top it all off I order rice pudding, and it comes out piping hot.

I have NEVER had hot rice pudding, has anyone else? it is foul. It also tasted vaguely of soap. It was so terrible I sent it back (I never send things back) and said I didnt want desert. after he pressed me for the reason, I said I'd never had hot rice pudding. This led to another drawn out argument where he insisted that that is the "regular way" to eat rice pudding. Except for the last time I was there, it had been cold. as it should be.

There were even more ridiculous things that happened but it was a long time ago. I've never been since. Bombay Grill is far superior in every way, anyway.

woodsy1069 · January 2010

Subject: Ate Balaka

Sorry...Kinara is better. Food was delivery. Chix Tikka Masala, Aloo Gobi, naan...across the board, not as good as Kinara. Maybe better in the restaurant?

malorie · January 2010

I'm a novice when it comes to Indian food, but I ate there Friday night, decor was very unimpressive but food was great! Service was spot on, naan was amazing! Def recommend you dine in!

danny hellman · January 2010

Mr. Mike wrote: OK, let me give you all my beef with kinara. I will agree their delivery is fine. Food is decent. But Kinara seems to be exclusively a delivery joint, they are actively rude from the moment you walk in. I go in with my girlfriend, and let me tell you I'm not an asshole customer - I have worked in the service industry and I know how difficult it is. But this was different.

From the moment we asked for water (from those weird disgusting metallic-tasting cups) - we were rushed and insulted and argued with. My girlfriend had a fork with crusty bits on it. disgusting! She asked for a new one and the guy actually argued with her that it was clean. He finally got her a new one, with a huge rude sigh and muttering under his breath. youd think we asked for free steak. He then slammed our entrees on the table, enough to slop sauce all over the plate onto the tablecloth, and almost all over my gf. Then, to top it all off I order rice pudding, and it comes out piping hot.

I have NEVER had hot rice pudding, has anyone else? it is foul. It also tasted vaguely of soap. It was so terrible I sent it back (I never send things back) and said I didnt want desert. after he pressed me for the reason, I said I'd never had hot rice pudding. This led to another drawn out argument where he insisted that that is the "regular way" to eat rice pudding. Except for the last time I was there, it had been cold. as it should be.

There were even more ridiculous things that happened but it was a long time ago. I've never been since. Bombay Grill is far superior in every way, anyway.

I've eaten at Kinara a dozen times, and I've never had a complaint about the service. We always have our kid with us, and the waitstaff have been kindly and patient in one or two instances where a sneer and some muttering would've been justified.

Kinara's food, while not up to the level of Curry Hill or Jackson Heights, is better than any of the other Indo-Pak places we've tried in Brooklyn, (Joy on Flatbush is also not bad; haven't tried Balaka yet).

Typically, the rice pudding, (Kheer) is served warm or at room temperature. I've eaten a lot of Indian meals, and I don't remember ever being served cold Kheer.

Balaka Indian Restaurant - Corner of 14th and 6th Ave

Comments

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories