Sukhadia's Gokul

This newly opened restaurant is another one of those Indian places that has a hugely promising menu and a greatly disappointing food. The food which is OK actually seems much worse because of the lost potential. Desperately trying to be the kind of chat houses you would find in Delhi or Mumbai, this place has everything on the menu: pani puri, sev puri, samosa chat, kachori chat, pav bhaji, vada pav, usal pav and so on. However, everything tastes more or less the same with way too much sweet chutney. The pav bhaji is actually quite good.

The service is good and quick. The decor is as tacky as you can possibly image. Probably because it has just opened you can use the bathroom without getting grossed out. They play very loud music from the 70s, a mix of Hindi and English that can prevent you from thinking let alone having a conversation.

Still recommended for vegetarians who must have some of the items on the menu and don't care to be particular about it.

17 West 45th St
New York, NY 10018

Bukhara Grill

This Indian Restaurant in midtown between 3rd and Lex is a bit hard to get to but is quite good. Weekend Buffet is excellent with rather delicious pani poori. Works well for vegetarians with a lot of flavorful and spicy foot available. The wait staff is friendly if somewhat over engaging.

217 E 49th St
New York, NY 10017

Brick Lane Curry House

This restaurant has the perfect setup and the worst execution. A good seating plan with uncomfortable chairs, a great menu that ends up in very poor dishes and very friendly staff -- if you can find anyone.

Brick Lane Curry House could have been a contender if it just took a look at itself in the mirror and had the courage to acknowledge what it saw.

I still recommend this for vegetarians. There is a plenty of food and if you can order it properly you can actually come out satisfied. Beware of the americanized giant cauliflower and zucchini pieces that seems to have become the de-facto standard of wannabe Indian "bistros" around town. The food is hot without being spicy. Chillies are used for a short-term goal without the concept of a flavor in mind.

06 E 6th St
New York. Between 1st and 2nd Avenue's, NY 10003

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