Dawat

Dawat

Owner

Dawat, meaning "invitation to a feast" sets the standard by which other Indian Restaurants are measured. Ms Madhur Jaffrey, an internationally renowned Cook Book Author, Actress and Teacher is the driving force behind Dawat. Her genius for creating innovative Indian dishes and adapting classic Indian cooking to contemporary taste has earned her widespread acclaim and positioned "Dawat" amongst the finest restaurants in New York.

Many of the specialty items in the menu are from Ms. Madhur Jaffrey's personal recipes, and are unique to Dawat. There are a number of wonderful choices and a cornucopia of Jaffrey's dessert rounds out the feast. The service is refined but friendly, ensuring a smooth and pleasurable dining experience!

Contributor

Citysearch

The Scene
Dawat is a relentlessly friendly place, and servers are good about navigating novices through the exotic array of dishes inspired by Madhur Jaffrey, the Indian actress and cookbook author. Little here suggests the typical New York Indian restaurant, including the spare and attractive dining room.

The Food
The eclectic menu surprises and exhilarates. To start, try the bhel poori, an explosive melange of puffed rice, wheat chips, fresh coriander and assorted hot and sweet chutneys--a roller derby for the palate. Main courses are as generous as they are varied--a signature dish is the Parsi-style salmon, in which the fish is rubbed with a tart coriander chutney, wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed. Another option is the heady shrimp cooked with garlic, ginger and assorted spices. Traditional dishes are also available, like a pungent lamb vindaloo, moist tandoori chicken and aromatic tandoori shrimp.