Saravanaas Bhavan
(212) 684-7755
81 Lexington Ave
(at 26th Street)
New York,
NY
10016
40.7414
-73.9833
Neighborhoods: Midtown, Kips Bay
Hours:
Mon-Fri 8:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm
Sat-Sun 8:30am-10:30pm
Last updated 7.06.09
What People Are Saying About Saravanaas Bhavan
The Editor
Kara Zuaro
Citysearch
The Scene
A glass facade, silver tableware, and blond wood seating lend a modern feel to this streamlined space. Homemade art--magenta canvases with fake flowers neatly pinned on in rows--adds a bit of whimsy to the walls. Servers struggle to explain the menu to those who can't tell an idli from a chapathi, but the mostly Indian clientele is completely at home with the vegetarian South Indian fare.
The Food
The plantain bajji, fried in lentil batter and served alongside rich sambar and coconut and mint chutneys, is love at first bite. To avoid repeated flavors, skip the potato bonda, round fritters served with the same trio of dips, and get your scoop of spicy mashed potatoes in the rava masala dosa, a crisp, netted crepe made of cream of wheat and rice. The South Indian thali offers rice, bread, and 12 little cups with big tastes, including a kuzhambu (curry), rasam (spicy soup), and pickle.
User Reviews
frequentdiner12
April 01, 2009
This was THE worst dining experience of my life!! Put aside the fact that I was ignored by my waiter, the busboy and a man who seemed like the manager when I asked for a plate (I literally had to go to the kitchen and get it myself, seriously?), the creepy crawlies I saw in the establishment, and the mediocre food served in this place, I will never ever ever return. I was warned about this place, and even heard a few people making complaints as I was being seated and I still ate there-boy, am I sorry!! Please heed my warning and stay away-with the variety of restaurants in the area it would be a shame to give even a dime to this place-please spare yourself and your wallet and go elsewhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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RomeoFoxtrot
March 10, 2009
I came here for dinner on a cold night recently and had one of the most overall satisfying meals I've had in a while. After about twenty minutes of pouring over the menu, I settled on the mini tiffen, a meal with assortment of sample on it including a small version of one of the potato filled dosas, the rava kichidi (one of the rice dishes), and a few other chutneys, as well as daal. I had a small Taj Mahal beer, which in addition to the onion raita, helped to temper some of the heat from one of the spicier condiments. All the main dishes are served on these great divided metal plates. Alll in all I found the meal to be very balanced in terms of flavors and textures. The cold Taj Mahal really went perfectly as well. Yum!
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snej
October 21, 2008
My favorite South Indian in the city. Authentic and delicious. Yes, service can be a bit uneven, but everyone is always pleasant, and the food and the prices more than compensate. I agree with the reviewer who suggested going to Tabla or Devi if you want very polished service. If food is your thing, this place is it.
read full reviewThe Details on Saravanaas Bhavan
What to Drink:
The $6 glasses of wine are on the small side, but all the bottles are priced at $22. Take note: The Dr. Loosen Riesling is as sweet as it is cheap, and the thick mango lassi does a better job of balancing the spicy dishes.
The Extras:
The dense badam halwa, ground almonds steeped in butter and honey, makes a filling dessert.
