photo by midtownlunch @ flickr
Though I’ve never set foot in Minar (apparently on 31st btwn 5th & bway), I deem it the cheapest, tastiest, most satisfying Indian restaurant in midtown. How is this possible? A New Yorker’s favorite activity: ordering in. There’s nothing more thrilling than the shrill ringing of the buzzer and the hand-delivery of food to my doorstep. That being said, dining out is a wonderful experience in the city and shouldn’t be missed for those spending a few nights. But for regular New Yorkers dealing with these disgusting weather conditions day in and day out, a domestic meal isn’t such a bad idea.
My quest for quick, reliable Indian delivery commenced in early 2008. I began with Bombay Garden- a bland, tasteless excuse for authentic Indian cuisine. I pressed on to Swagat. They had their good days and had their overly spiced, sluggishly slow delivery days- but consistently good naan. I was troubled. Should I keep with the gamble that is Swagat delivery or should I venture out into new Indian culinary domain? I chose the latter… and so glad I did. Minar has been my go-to Indian delivery for the past two years. Incredibly cheap and always flavorful, Minar delivery is a lazy vegetarian’s dream...
My quest for quick, reliable Indian delivery commenced in early 2008. I began with Bombay Garden- a bland, tasteless excuse for authentic Indian cuisine. I pressed on to Swagat. They had their good days and had their overly spiced, sluggishly slow delivery days- but consistently good naan. I was troubled. Should I keep with the gamble that is Swagat delivery or should I venture out into new Indian culinary domain? I chose the latter… and so glad I did. Minar has been my go-to Indian delivery for the past two years. Incredibly cheap and always flavorful, Minar delivery is a lazy vegetarian’s dream...
But before I go on, I’d like to pause and discuss Indian food as a whole. It’s fabulous. And if you’re a vegetarian looking to try something new, this is it. India is a predominantly vegetarian nation, so Indian restaurants always have an extensive vegetarian selection- and it’s totally not just curry. Bhindi Masala, for example, is a classic dish comprised of stewed okra with onion, ginger and tomato. Or if you’re looking for something quick, the south Indian Dosa is a variation on the classic crepe, filled with anything from potatoes and peas to coconut chutney. But my absolute favorite veggie dish is Brinjal Bharta: fire roasted eggplant with green peas, onions and tomatoes… and Minar does it right.
Smokey and sweet, the versatile flavors of the eggplant shine through in this dish. It has just the right amount of heat without overwhelming the palate- and the consistency is just smooth enough to spread on some buttery naan. And the best part: for only $7.95, you can dine on an Indian feast. Minar’s Vegetarian Platter includes 2 generously portioned vegetable dishes, 1 naan, tons of rice, and a small container of raita (cucumber yogurt sauce). It’s the best deal ever. Also included is what they refer to as “salad,” a puzzling little tinfoil ball containing some lettuce and raw onion… very strange. I just throw it into the rice.
I usually order the Vegetarian Platter of Brinjal Bharta and Saag Paneer (sautéed spinach with Indian cheese cubes), and never finish it in one sitting. In fact, it usually takes me another two meals to complete the whole thing. That’s right! Three authentic Indian meals in NYC for just $7.95. If you’re feeling like staying in, Minar is some seriously savvy delivery.
Smokey and sweet, the versatile flavors of the eggplant shine through in this dish. It has just the right amount of heat without overwhelming the palate- and the consistency is just smooth enough to spread on some buttery naan. And the best part: for only $7.95, you can dine on an Indian feast. Minar’s Vegetarian Platter includes 2 generously portioned vegetable dishes, 1 naan, tons of rice, and a small container of raita (cucumber yogurt sauce). It’s the best deal ever. Also included is what they refer to as “salad,” a puzzling little tinfoil ball containing some lettuce and raw onion… very strange. I just throw it into the rice.
I usually order the Vegetarian Platter of Brinjal Bharta and Saag Paneer (sautéed spinach with Indian cheese cubes), and never finish it in one sitting. In fact, it usually takes me another two meals to complete the whole thing. That’s right! Three authentic Indian meals in NYC for just $7.95. If you’re feeling like staying in, Minar is some seriously savvy delivery.
RSS Feed