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Curry Hill
September 11, 2004
Mike Colamecco, our go-to guy in New York City, reveals one of his secrets for great cheap eats. It's Curry Hill, the city's oldest Indian neighborhood. Go where the taxi drivers eat.
Kalustyan's Market
123 Lexington Ave (at 28th Street)
212-685-3451
www.kalustyans.com
This is a fantastic source for all sorts of hard to find spices and ingredients. There's a huge selection of rice, couscous, all kinds of curries and freshly ground spices, chutneys, grains and nuts. They ship anywhere.
Madras Mahal Kosher Vegetarian
104 Lexington Avenue (between 27th and 28th)
212-688-4010
Billed as the first Kosher Vegetarian Indian restaurant in the USA. Who knows? The food is very good vegetarian fare and a bargain, with several $7.95 lunch options available. Among the specialties are the paper dosai, a huge grilled flatbread that comes to the table with an assortment of side dishes like coconut chutney and lentil sambar to dip the bread into. Curries from Punjab and Gujarat are offered as are dinner specials at $14.95.
Haandi
113 Lexington Avenue (between 27th and 28th)
212-685-5200
This place is usually full of cabbies and livery drivers, as well as a mix of students from nearby Baruch College and Indian immigrants from all over the city. It's one of my favorites. The menu is on the wall and service is cafeteria style. A big steaming bain marie holds freshly prepared meat stews such as Karahi Gosht and Beef Masala, curries, vegetables, rice and breads. I love the Chicken Biriyani, and Keema Tawa. Arrive hungry and sample as much as you can handle, then grab a seat facing the TV which usually features a current VHS Bollywood hit with no subtitles.
Tamarind
41-43 East 22nd
212-674-7400
Brought to you by part of the team from Dawat uptown. This is a very upscale Indian restaurant with seriously good food and a decent wine list. They offer a large, well laid out menu featuring great freshly baked and fried breads (Roti), wonderful side dishes, stews of lamb and goat (Gosht ), various kebabs, seafood, and a serious selection of offerings from the tandoor ovens (Khazana-E-Aatish).
Also recommended:
Curry in a Hurry
119 Lexington Avenue (at 28th Street)
212-683-0900
Chinese Lirch
120 Lexington Avenue
212-532-3663
Udipi Palace
101 Lexington Avenue
212-889-3477
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