Best Indian Food in PS

Subject: Please Tell Us!

doublediamond wrote: ...My friend and I are Indian food connoisseurs. ...

Where, in the city, do you like to get Indian food?

Username: * wrote: You are, by the way, the fourth Park Slope resident who has, in this space, said that they have completely ruled out one type of cuisine and only cook those dishes for themselves. (No more Italian, or whatever, they say; I'm only eating spaghetti I make at home.) It's a phenomenon I have never experienced before. Are you guys just great cooks? Or incredibly sick of disappointing food?

After two unpleasant experiences I'm not bothering with Kinara again; I'm in the south slope so Joy is too far away; I ate at SOI once but didn't like it either and it's on President so also a bit far. I don't see this as "completely ruling out one type of cuisine" ... I'm not a great cook, I just don't see many good options for Indian food in the Slope, and yes, I am tired of being disappointed.

Subject: Re: Please Tell Us!

double post.

Subject: Re: Please Tell Us!

Username: * wrote: [quote=doublediamond]...My friend and I are Indian food connoisseurs. ...

Where, in the city, do you like to get Indian food?

::EDITED FOR LOCATIONS::

A couple of places:

Karahi (we used to go here weekly, then they closed. I just looked them up and they moved. They were awesome)
118 Christopher St | Btwn Bedford & Bleecker St

Surya (very good)
302 Bleecker St | Btwn 7th Ave S & Grove St

Brick Lane Curry House (surprisingly good and consistent)
306 E 6th St | Btwn 1st & 2nd Ave, NYC.

Dimple (authentic and very good)
11 W 30th St | Btwn 5th Ave & Bway,

Udipi Palace (for dosas, although not as good as it used to be), This might have been renamed to Banana Leaf.
103 Lexington Ave | Btwn 27th & 28th St

Random places on 6th street or 28th/Lex with names that I cannot recall.

Kati Roll company (this for their kati rolls, as it's all they serve)
99 Macdougal St | Btwn Bleecker St & Minetta Ln

And, while it's standard fare, Jackson Diner in Jackson Heights, Queens. I love it for the experience more than for the food.
37-47 74th St. in Queens.

How could I forget Panna II on Indian Row??? This place is great during lunch. Many good times there. Not outstanding food, but good enough for the price.
93 1st Ave | Btwn 5th & 6th St NYC

For the best Indian/Pakistani I think you should head over to Jackson Heights. Specifically Kebab King. This is my base standard for all Indian/Paki food and in way ruined it for me. I have not tasted anything that compared to the food I've eaten here - esp not anything in Park Slope. The main things to order there are the chicken tikka kebab and lamb chops. All the curries are great too. Be warned though - this is not Americanizied Indian food. It's extermely spicy and you have to be prepared to sweat while you eat. I haven't tasted this level of spice at any other places in the city and I think it's crucial to the food.

Where exactly is this "Kabab King" I can handle my spice, in fact I prefer it!

This is it here:

http://newyork.citysearch.com/review/7411672

Good news is the F stops right across the street. Bad news is that it takes an hour. I usually drive - but parking can be dicey. there are also tons of other Indian/Paki restaurants there which I've never tried but I always wanted to. The reason is that once I get to the area, I always go where I know will be good and don't want to take the risk.

Theres an order-yourself-fastfood-cabbie-steamtable area downstairs, and a strange decor dining room upstairs with waiter service. surprisngly, i found the food to taste better when i order downstairs but the experience is much more civilized upstairs.

bring a lot of people with you so you can try everything, and bring a box of tums!

Subject: Re: Please Tell Us!

doublediamond wrote:
A couple of places:

Karahi (we used to go here weekly, then they closed. I just looked them up and they moved. They were awesome)
Surya (very good)
Brick Lane Curry House (surprisingly good and consistent)
Dimple (authentic and very good)
Udipi Palace (for dosas, although not as good as it used to be), This might have been renamed to Banana Leaf.
Random places on 6th street or 28th/Lex with names that I cannot recall.
Kati Roll company (this for their kati rolls, as it's all they serve)
And, while it's standard fare, Jackson Diner in Jackson Heights, Queens. I love it for the experience more than for the food.

How could I forget Panna II on Indian Row??? This place is great during lunch. Many good times there. Not outstanding food, but good enough for the price.

DD, where are these places? Jackson Heights? When you mention Indian Row, is that in JH or is it Curry Hill along Lexington?

Brick Lane is on Indian Row. It used to be even better before they moved.

willregistersoon wrote: For the best Indian/Pakistani I think you should head over to Jackson Heights. Specifically Kebab King. This is my base standard for all Indian/Paki food and in way ruined it for me. I have not tasted anything that compared to the food I've eaten here - esp not anything in Park Slope. The main things to order there are the chicken tikka kebab and lamb chops. All the curries are great too. Be warned though - this is not Americanizied Indian food. It's extermely spicy and you have to be prepared to sweat while you eat. I haven't tasted this level of spice at any other places in the city and I think it's crucial to the food.

That's what I'm talking about!! Are they vegetarian friendly?

Hmmmm, why don't we all do an outing?

Subject: Re: Please Tell Us!

8thandPrez wrote:
DD, where are these places? Jackson Heights? When you mention Indian Row, is that in JH or is it Curry Hill along Lexington?

I knew I should have added addresses. I'll edit the post when I have a second.

Looks like Bombay Grill is open again as of this evening.

Kebab King in Jackson Heights is indeed brilliant. Went there after a particularly sweaty afternoon at Shea, and felt like we passed through some time/space wormhole stepping in there - we were no longer in NY. Food was excellent.

Downstairs, we bought one of those weird tobacco leaf confections from the guy in the little booth. Not to my liking...

the only 'Indian' food (and I say that because I have no freakin' clue about the regional differences in cuisine in that area of the world so if I'm being callous or whatever, please accept that I am ignorant. I'm also hungry.) that I've ever though "oh my god, this is the best way I've ever tasted this food articulated" was in London. I have not, for the record, visited India, Pakistan or Bangladesh.

Joy is good but they have a lot of food that is easily a misstep: do not get chicken. do not get lamb. their shrimp vindaloo is amazing. partly because they can't just give you shit cuts of shrimp.

frankly, most of my Indian food orders in NYC are because I'm trying to appease a desire for Ethiopian food. after having much better stuff across the pond, I just don't feel like I can have anything awesome here. perhaps Queens is the answer. it often is.

SouthSlopeSuit wrote: Downstairs, we bought one of those weird tobacco leaf confections from the guy in the little booth. Not to my liking...

Paan?

SouthSlopeSuit wrote: Looks like Bombay Grill is open again as of this evening.

Kebab King in Jackson Heights is indeed brilliant. Went there after a particularly sweaty afternoon at Shea, and felt like we passed through some time/space wormhole stepping in there - we were no longer in NY. Food was excellent.

Downstairs, we bought one of those weird tobacco leaf confections from the guy in the little booth. Not to my liking...

Really? I passed there this morning and the windows were taped over.. Now why did it close again???
Gotta not be skeeved out based on the closing if I decide to try it.

wasn't bombay grill the one with the cellphone incident? Cops got called after some guy got smacked with another guy's cellphone in an argument.lol. Must be some bad food...

alafairnadia wrote: the only 'Indian' food (and I say that because I have no freakin' clue about the regional differences in cuisine in that area of the world so if I'm being callous or whatever, please accept that I am ignorant. I'm also hungry.) that I've ever though "oh my god, this is the best way I've ever tasted this food articulated" was in London. I have not, for the record, visited India, Pakistan or Bangladesh.

You would have loved the old "Brick Lane" before they moved!

alafairnadia wrote: the only 'Indian' food (and I say that because I have no freakin' clue about the regional differences in cuisine in that area of the world so if I'm being callous or whatever, please accept that I am ignorant. I'm also hungry.) that I've ever though "oh my god, this is the best way I've ever tasted this food articulated" was in London. .

It is for this precise reason I've never bothered with Indian food in New York, except for a few okay South Indian vegetarian places on Curry Hill. It's unrealistic to expect good Indian food in or near the Slope when even Curry Hill can't get it right. Or maybe they're all too busy Americanizing their food with creamy bland sauces and grilled meat, I don't know.

The Turkish kebab places in North London were also far superior to the ones in NY that serve drab, clicheed dishes. I just had amazing Spanish tapas in Berlin, which made me realize NY isn't great for Spanish food either. I guess this city is too busy pounding itself on the chest to realize not all food here is fantastic.

modoki wrote: I guess this city is too busy pounding itself on the chest to realize not all food here is fantastic.

We've always got pizza!!! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

(For those that haven't kept score at home, I've NOT been awed by NY pizza since arriving here 4 years ago.)

WhyFi wrote: (For those that haven't kept score at home, I've NOT been awed by NY pizza since arriving here 4 years ago.)

Whatever...
Minnesota fanboy! :roll: :roll: :roll:

Jeeze you guys, all this talk of Indian Food! I just had to run out and get some food from Joy, which I've never been to. So here's my review:

To go order.
Meat samosas -$2.95
Lamb Shaag -$8.95
Garlic Curry (lamb) -$10.95
with rice.
Garlic Nan -$2.75
And what I think was "Mulligatawny" -$Complimentary (nice!)

We'll start small. The nan was good, chewy, toasty, a little garlic, and delish.

The samosa filling was well seasoned, a tiny bit dry, but good. Unfortunately, the outside shell was a bit too thick and made it too doughy and not crisp. Maybe the veggie one is better.

The soup was very good, I loved it. Not sure if it's authentic (never had it before), but as soups go I was very pleased.

The two main dishes were good and plentiful. The Lamb Garlic Curry was the winner. Big hunks of roasted garlic and a flavorful yellow looking curry. The BF ordered this one and I was a bit bummed because I got the Lamb Shaag. The Shaag lacked some spice, some extra something. Still it was edible and when adulterated with their Excellent spicy green dipping sauce, it hit the spot. The rice, well, it was rice. Simple.

All in all it was a good meal. Maybe I'd try some veggie options next time. The staff were super friendly and nice. Not great Indian by far, but pretty good if you have a craving.

One note: I've been to Amin and Star of India. The Shaag was best at Amin and the lamb was tender. SoI had tougher lamb but super spicey vindaloo.

I'd be up for a trip to get some real Indian though! Count me in!

Carnivore wrote: [quote=WhyFi](For those that haven't kept score at home, I've NOT been awed by NY pizza since arriving here 4 years ago.)

Whatever...
Minnesota fanboy! :roll: :roll: :roll:
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Mr. Who-cares-if-it-tastes-good,-as-long-as-it's-authentic!!! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

So, when we going to DiFara's?

Didn't you hear? DiFara's was closed for health code violations. Rat poop everywhere, even on kichen countertops.
Though they might be open again by now. I'm down this the secret sauce, let's go!

Subject: Kinara

I had Kinara delivered last night and I thought it was great, way better than Bombay Grill. The Vindaloo was crazy spicy and the appetizer+entree for 11.95 deal was insane, especially because it comes with naan, rice and a bunch of fruit and things for desert. Definitely my de-facto Indian in SPS...

I ordered from Kinara last weekend because of Bombay Grill being closed. It was way too spicy for me. I didn't even order something that was supposed to be spicy. I guess I like my Indian food bland. I loved the package deal with the raita and the chutney etc. included. Maybe I can get them to dial down the spice for me next time.

I had Kinara a few months back.... the Malai Kofta was delicious, but I think it was bc I ingested about 3 gallons of trans fats in the dish. Seriously, there was oil POOLED on top of the sauce. I skimmed that off and ate like a hog -- no complaints on flavor -- but I've yet to go back bc of my fear of arterial blockage.

8thandPrez wrote: I had Kinara a few months back.... the Malai Kofta was delicious, but I think it was bc I ingested about 3 gallons of trans fats in the dish. Seriously, there was oil POOLED on top of the sauce. I skimmed that off and ate like a hog -- no complaints on flavor -- but I've yet to go back bc of my fear of arterial blockage.

That's how Kebab King is too. I think that's how it's usually prepared. Does anyone know - is this ghee?

Subject: India Palace/Place

I always forget which, but it's in Prospect Heights, but delivers to Park Slope and it's good, and has an awesome dinner deal for $15 which includes an appetizer, an entree, rice, naan, and condiments. It's awesome.

8thandPrez wrote: I had Kinara a few months back.... the Malai Kofta was delicious, but I think it was bc I ingested about 3 gallons of trans fats in the dish. Seriously, there was oil POOLED on top of the sauce. I skimmed that off and ate like a hog -- no complaints on flavor -- but I've yet to go back bc of my fear of arterial blockage.

I think that's the tadka - it's a tempering oil with spices added at the end of cooking the dish.

Subject: Re: Star Of India

Prudence Goodwyfe wrote: I was excited as well when Star Of India opened, but I will not eat there anymore. The first couple of times I tried it, everything was fine, but since then I've had a couple of deliveries from them that just went into the trash can. Nothing toxic, just bad cooking. I don't want to taste ketchup in my curry! I've resigned myself, for now at least, to travelling to Manhattan to satisfy my Indian food cravings. I love Gandhi on Sixth St. and Curry In A Hurry on Lexington at 28th St.

Me too. I also like kosher vegetarian restaurants Madras Mahal on Lexington Avenue near 28th Street and Dimple on 30th Street between 5th Avenue and Broadway.