This place does a decent job at noodle soups in Murray Hill. I pretty much got what I wanted that time at Planet Thai –wonton curry noodle soup ($6.45). Now I know I don’t have to go to Chinatown for a quick fix. I wonder what was underneath “Japanese &” on the sign.
Mee Noodle Shop & Grill – 547 2nd Ave (btw 30th & 31st St) New York 10016
A tiny looking place with trays of Indian food in the windowed counter. It actually has a dim florescent lit dining room in the back. I asked what the best things to get for the 1 meat, 1 vegetable platter $8. The guy suggested the Chicken Kofta Meatballs and the Aloo Palak (spinach and potatoes) which I ordered. He scooped the stuff and reheated it in the convection microwave, just like at Kasturi. Then another white guy came in and asked for suggestions too. I was curious if he would say the same items he told me …he did. Well played.
I don’t know about the ground up chicken meatballs, but did like the Aloo Palak. All pretty spicy. Mama mia, that’s a spicy meatball!
Lahori Kabab – 124 Lexington Ave (btw 28th & 29th St) New York 10016
This place looks like it used to be a small old laundry mat, their sign is taped to the front and there weren’t any white people eating there …so they probably have good authentic Bengali food I imagine. I got the non-vegetarian platter (2 meats with rice and fresh naan) for $8. I’ve never seen a place that gives you both rice and naan in the combination platter. It’s usually one or the other. I chose the curry fish and chicken korma. The chunks of chicken had bones and the fish were tiny with the little bones that you eat whole. Even though I don’t know what real Bengali food is like, the authentic meter just shot up. The naan was baked fresh and the bottom crust tasted like good pizza bread. You can pick your own salad on the counter with some brown chutney.
For $8 it sounds pricey for a hole in the wall (that’s almost unlimited salad, soup and breadsticks at Olive Garden), but I guess that’s a hell of a lot cheaper than going to Bangladesh …and I heard “hospitaliano” is a made-up work.
Kasturi – (CLOSED) 83 Lexington Ave (btw 26th & 27th St) New York 10016
Walked around Lexington in Murray Hill yesterday. Noticed a couple new Indian restaurants, but decided to try Tamil Nadu Bhavan that I’ve seen a while and their menu of Thalis that look pretty neat. I wasn’t expecting much. But once my Bombay Thali came out with that huge puffed roti and I dabbed a little in one of the curries, it was on like Donkey Kong. Amazing. Only $6.95. I’m a big fan of tasting a little bit of everything and I got it –with the sweet, the spicy, the creamy cool. I don’t know what I was eating (Bombay Thali: Rice, poori, chana saag, gobi masala, bhindi masala, shrikhund, bhajjia …um, okay) but it was good and I was stuffed.
Service was very attentive. I would take one sip of water and the guy would refill it. He refilled my cup about eight times. I don’t think I ever got past the half way point.
One of the best meals I’ve had lately. I should post a list of the best stuff I’ve eaten. I’d like to revisit those memories.
Tamil Nadu Bhavan (CLOSED) – 102 Lexington Ave. New York, NY 10079
I planned to try Kabab Factory’s $6.95 all-you-can-eat lunch kababs and curry. But like last time, I walked downstairs to the dining room and couldn’t figure out what to do. I didn’t see a buffet or any service. I figured it was a sign since my butt was already aching. I decided to ignore the sign and my butt and went for the vegetarian Indian buffet at Tiffin Wallah for also $6.95. Not a whole lot of variety, but pretty solid. I noticed the guys in front of me loaded up their plates and it looked awesome. I need to hire them as photo stylists.
Tiffin Wallah – 127 E 28th St (@ Lexington Ave) New York 10016
I spent about an hour walking around because I was so indecisive for lunch. Yeah, check me out trying to pick out a toothpaste. I’m getting better though. I ended up at Fava where they have falafel pita type sandwiches. I splurged for the Mediterranean Combo (falafel, humus, baba ganoush, grape, leaves and feta cheese). It was really good. But I’m curious if you really get more when you are paying more or you’re just paying more because they have to scoop more different things in your pita. I only got one falafel. I guess that makes sense because you are only limited to the physical size of the pita. But say for instance lamb on rice and chicken on rice is both $5. But if you want lamb and chicken on rice, it is $5.50, but you’re only getting half lamb and half chicken –not more physical meat if you just picked one. I don’t get it. But I will get it, because I like more different things on my plate/pita.
Fava – 77 Lexington Ave (@ 26th St) New York 10010
Hot off the fish sandwich from SeaWorld restaurant in Tribeca, I headed to New Sea World in Murray Hill. They have Broasted chicken. What is Broasted chicken? It’s pressure cooked deep fried chicken. Looks and taste like fried chicken, but the meat isn’t so greasy. Is it worth a trip to try it? I think it tastes like fried chicken. But after reading this Washington Post article about Broasted chicken, you will want to go to there. It’s a rare find. Very fortunate that SeaWorld has it. Two pieces and potatoes $3.50. The Broasted potatoes taste like KFC potato wedges with a lot less flavor. At least they have fancy sauce to dip.
New Sea World Restaurant (CLOSED) – 32 Lexington Ave (btw 23rd & 24th St) New York 10010
You sit in Chennai Garden and eat the buffet for $6.95 or take out for $6.95. They give you an aluminum container, a small plastic container, a styrofoam plate and some foil. It’s like working with a puzzle, but I did my research. I tried to use this Yelp guy’s tips on take-out, but apparently he could have maximized by using the plate for food too instead of worry about his wussy hands. I got two giant stuffed meals out of it. This could be a great economical date. Ask the date to go hide around the corner while you duck into the restaurant. Bring the food to the park and stuff her face with paneer.
This is a really good vegetarian buffet for the money. The only thing keeping me from coming back often is feeling like an asshole in the buffet line.
Chennai Garden – 129 E 27th St (btw Park & Lexington) New York, NY 10016
