Why are there no really good Indian restaurants?

Question

I have a guest coming for the holidays and he wants spicy, full-flavored delicious Indian food,  Either places have bit the dust that were once very good, and the reminders serve overcooked, dreary  v ery boring food,   Why?   are there any not on these boards secreted away?

Answer

There are some great spots in Queens.

Answer

That's a rather broad and unsupported claim. Is your friend looking for north Indian? South Indian? Vegetarian / non-veg? Family style / haute? Which places have you tried and found lacking?

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We actually just had a very good meal at Chola. Not every dish was superb but some were. They had the best chicken tandoori we have had since Asia. Place was packed for a weekend dinner. Though we still need to get to Junoon. ----- Chola 232 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10022

Answer

Unfortunately, i've yet to find one that i like either. You might find this thread interesting: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/814013 Indus Valley, on the UWS near 100th St was good when i went there once years ago, but not enough to make a destination place for me...i've disliked every other Indian place... However, if your friend is interested in related cuisines, there are some wonderful options. Sigiri serves Sri Lankan food (very spicy, and cooked in light canola oil) in a casual BYOB setting. And, Kin Shop is Thai-influenced yet serves rotis and some dishes that taste similar to Indian: as mentioned in the other thread, i took my Indian-food-craving friends there and they loved it. ----- Sigiri 91 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003 Indus Valley 2636 Broadway, New York, NY 10025 Kin Shop 469 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Answer

Indian and Pakistani cuisine has taken a dive in Manhattan, especially if you're looking for that UK curry style, or something similar to the Nirvana overlooking Central Park. The biggest problem I find is a lack of consistency depending on if the owners around, or you hit the days the better cook works. Also, many of the places have put the attention into their decor, or attempted to modernize their dishes to follow the Tamarind, Deva route, and like most ethnic foods, the emphasis is more on regional specialties, but we've definitely lost something along the way. Dhaba is still a place I would recommend for the OP, but much less enthusiastically so lately. ----- Devi 8 East 18th Street, New York, NY 10003 Tamarind 41 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010 Dhaba 108 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Answer

I've found Tamarind on 22nd Street to be consistently and authentically delicious, but you must tell them that you don't want mild food. Dawat is also authentica and full flavored. Either place you must tell your server that you are looking for spicy food otherwise they might err on teh side of caution and make your dish mild. Tulsi and Junoon are also great choices - but I just feel they aren't as authentic or full-flavored.

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How about this place, which he New York Times says is where all the Indian cab drivers eat: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/nyregion/haandi-curry-hill-restaurant-is-popular-among-cabbies.html?scp=1&sq=indian%20restaurant%20taxi%20drivers&st=cse

Answer

I don't have the time to wax on about this question as much as I'd like, but I want to say that I agree with those who think that the standard of Indian food in Manhattan is, in general, dismal. I've made more detailed comments on the issue here and there on various threads.

Answer

A little perspective from those who consider NY Indian food "dreary" would be useful. Which Indian restaurants do you consider good? (Obviously they're not in NY but we could then move over to the appropriate board and see what the critical consensus is.) Then when we travel we can all go to them and have great meals. Please. Tell us about them.

Answer

Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that Indians from India are used to eating food in their homes, prepared by a cook. Even middle class families have cooks there and most become very accustomed to homemade food. That is not to say that homemade food should have more full bodied flavor than that in a 5-star, but most Indians are used to eating at home. That being said, my parents, born in India and living here for 35+years, will never eat at an Indian restaurant and call the food sublime or above average - to them the best food comes out of their own kitchens. Perhaps this is similar to a lot of "Indian" palates in NYC? For myself, having grown up eating homemade puri and chole for breakfast and paranthas w/ homemade yogurt as after-school snacks, I tend to seek out food that tastes (and has the same oil content) as my mom's. I am forever in search of her paranthas... her puri-twin can be found at Tamarind. Another note is that India has a very diverse cuisine. Growing up in a Punjabi home, I don't find the fascination with Kerala fish cakes and other seafood. Give me some Rajma that's been simmering all morning and a Roti and I'm good. Perhaps that means that we, Indian food lovers, can't easily come to a consensus on a cuisine (or restaurant, in this case) because of all the different type of Indian food out there. I think there are a few Indian spots that do a few key dishes really well. I tend to go back again and again.... When an Indian restaurant serving a wide range of dishes does dosa really well, I am very impressed to find out that that same chef is a sarson ka saag whiz. It's like coming to American, eating at a Fried Chicken joint and wondering why the Pizza isn't good.

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Folks, speculating on the why of the food scene is really pretty far off-topic for our site. We recognize it isn't really his question, but we'd ask that people keep the focus on offering suggestions for local places that might suit the poster. Speculating on why the restaurant scene isn't the way he'd like it doesn't really help anyone eat better.

Answer

have you tried Aaheli on 9th Avenue btwn 54/55th? Small joint - only seats about 20 and food is quite tasty and not the same old same old dull crap. I really really LOVE the fried okra appetizer -Karrarri bhindi as well as the eggplant appetizer with tamarind sauce. Also their version of chicken makani (butter chicken) is lovely and finished with fresh curry leaves. It's also BYOB with no corkage. ----- Aaheli 826 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Answer

I have not read the entire thread, so I do not know if I am repeating what others state, but I have known many Indian people from Upstate to Connecticut and all say one must g to New Jersey for really good Indian food. In London there is the Brick Lane, a place near Whitechaple, and there is never any problem to find excellent Indian food on this long lane lined wth Indian restaurants, but upon a visit to Indian restaurant named after this unique dining location in London, called Brick Lane on East 6th Street in NewYork City jsut off 2nd, for my favorite dish I used to eat on every visit to London's Brick Lane, I was greatly disappointed. It was not the correct consistency, and failed really to please me, though enjoyed the temperature. Adam of Man vs. Food actually made this once secret confined to London, famous, and made it a food challenge. It is Phall, originating in Brick Lane London, where it is so delicious. The Phall made famous by Adam in NYC's Brick Lane is not that great. Good for television, but not for Indian food lovers. What is a challenge for Adam is sheer delight for me, well, in London at least: Man vs Food Brick Lane phall: http://www.eatmedaily.com/2009/01/the-phaal-challenge-at-brick-lane-curry-house-on-man-v-food-video/ In my effort to find hot food, really hot food, in a style similar to Indain, I found a great place perhaps many here know of. Sri Lankan restaurant on 1st Ave. It is called Sigiri, and it is next to the Bangledesh restaurant on 1st Ave, just up from from 5th on the west side of the street. No beer, but one can select from some great Indian beers or other in the shop below. Ihad a really hot dish there, but as I looked at other foods being ordered by other customers, I could tell there are some really splendid dishes on the menu. http://www.sigirinyc.com/ ----- Sigiri 91 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

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