Tamarind
New York, NY 10010-5301
Phone: (212) 674-7400
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- Between Park Avenue South and Broadway
- Directions:
- 6 at 23rd St; R, W at 23rd St
- Hours:
- Sun-Thu 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-11:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-12am
Editorial Review for Tamarind – by Jean Tang
The Scene
The restaurant was erected in a time of heightened wealth and expectations--early 2001. Since then, the light-filled two-room atrium has made do, managing to keep its private eating nooks--separated by sheer curtains--lively with friends, business associates, ladies who lunch and romantic twosomes. Service is good, with occasional tendencies to hover.
The Food
Authentic Indian is the restaurant's claim, predominantly northern (tandoori, lamb dishes), with southern thrown in for good measure (seafood, vegetarian dishes). The spices aren't searing, but they are complex, and you'd do well to order any of the vegetarian selections, including a savory saag paneer (creamy cheese cubes in spinach sauce) or the delicious bhindi do piaza (spicy, gingery okra). The apricot-stuffed lamb pasanda (slices of the meat; ask for it pink) is an original choice, and wonderful if you like your food sweet. Seafood--particularly the fried pollack--is fresh but the shrimp moiley (buttery, coconut-touched shrimp) can be overdone.
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Insider Tips
The ExtrasThe wait staff defers to Western-oriented eating styles, but this food is made to be shared. If you're going family style, let the wait staff know, and everything will be evenly doled out.
Save MoneyPrix fixe lunch consists of three courses for $21--well worth it as the average dinner entree costs about that much. The specials change every month, but include a side dish and dessert.
DrinksThe mango lassi is spectacular, as is the mango-tamarind Cosmopolitan.
User Reviews for Tamarind
07/31/2008 Posted by SebastianFlyte
Tamarind is not only the best Indian cuisine in New York, but one of the best restaurants in all of the city. Very lovely atmosphere and incredibly attentive service. What is wonderful too is that you could blindly point at any single item on the menu and it would most likely be excellent. If you are able, reserve a cozy booth in the back of the restaurant, which is very romantic. Avoid eating up front where the noise level is high.
Pros: Best Indian in Manhattan
Cons: a little loud up front, more quiet in the back
03/29/2008 Posted by nycrsc
After 5 years of going to Tamarind, I just returned from dinner two nights ago and had yet another fantastic experience. The curry dishes were superb. The shrimp dishes was outstanding. The service was impeccable along with outstanding wine choices. The tamarind martinis were underwhelming, but given the overall atmosphere, menu, and the high service, I could think of a better indian restaurant in city (and we have tried all of them!) . I meet Aluwalia every time i am there and the owner always makes a point to say hello.
