Purnima Restaurant
(212) 307-9797
254 W 54th St
New York,
NY
10019
40.7642
-73.9833
Neighborhoods: Midtown, Clinton
Reviews & Ratings for Purnima Restaurant
10 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 10 reviews
Loved the food here
by CSMobileUser
March 09, 2009
I'm a huge fan of Gordon Ramsey and must tell you that being an Indian I was really ashamed of most of Indian restaurant (being an Indian) we went directly after work around 6ish and the place was still getting filled up with pre theatre show people and tourists. The appetizers were usual but we all loved it as we were a bunch of starving people. The curries in Indian restaurant were more or less the same- but Purnima was excellent collection. Tandoori meats mix was excellent and very flavourful and tender. The breads were luke warm. We loved the place and would go back soon. Thanks Chef Ramsey for placing Vikas here- did not see him though. Next time!
Horrible Customer Service
by Luv2tickt
September 28, 2008
Well, I'd actually like to tell you about the food, but I never got that far.
See, the following was my experience at Purnima. The place had only one cover, yet there was no one to seat me. After standing there for a few, I took it upon myself to find the hostess who told me I could seat myself anywhere I wished. About five minutes went by before I received a glass of water from the hostess. The waiter walked past me no less than three times before I asked to see a menu. That would be the last contact I would have with any employee that evening. That same waiter walked past me two more times without saying a word. After waiting for about twenty minutes I had HAD enough. I got up and turned around to see the hostess stuffing her face with food. There was the waiter, a chef, and some other woman crowded around the hungry hostess with only the chef taking notice I was leaving. Mind you, no one said a word as I walked out of the restaurant...never to return. Chef Ramsay...I suggest that you take another stroll down the street for a surprise inspection...though, I suppose it would do little good as it seems they only put on a show for your return.
I suggest others dine elsewhere until someone who wants to run an establishment in that spot arrives.
- Pros: The place looks nice.
- Cons: The service is horrid.
If you like Indian food, then this is the place!
by roastandtoast
March 24, 2008
I had the opportunity to eat at Purnima last night. We were in New York visiting family, and we decided that we wanted Indian food. One of my family members is a chef in New York and thought he remembered there being an Indian restaurant near Times Square. When we arrived, we realized that we were looking at Purnima of Kitchen Nightmares. We decided to give it a go even though we had seen the Kitchen Nightmares episode when this restaurant was featured. I was a little worried at first due to the way the place looked before the episode. However, I was plesantly surprised. As previous reviews stated, the place was about 20% full during our visit. The wait staff was quick to point out menu items that were good. My wife had the chicken korma and I had the chicken malai kebab. I was not too sure about how spicy I wanted mine, so the waiter brought me the spicy (very spicy) and the mild sauce. Both were delicious. I ended up mixing the two (3 parts mild/1 part spicy), and it made a great dish. My wife's chicken korma was just right as well. Everyone else enjoyed their meal as well. Once dinner was over, the waiter invited one of the children in our group to view the chicken (it happened to be the chef's daughter). So..she and her dad (the chef) went to check things out. When they came back, they were followed by the award winning chef that joined Purnima during Kitchen Nightmares (Vikas Khanna). He introduced himself and was pleased to have. us. The report on the kitchen is that is is very clean and in good working order. This is truely some of the best Indian food I have ever had. If the opportunity araises, definitely give Purnima a try.
Excellent food, friendly service
by wtaw71
March 05, 2008
We go to this restaurant all the time. The food is really good (as a Bangladeshi, I don't usually like Indian food that's available in NYC restaurants, but this is an exception) and some of the dishes are rare finds - like the bhel for appetizer. This is one of those places where you go for great food. The service is friendly and warm. I recommend it strongly.
- Pros: Excellent food
- Cons: Could be more lively, I guess people are yet to find this gem
Fragrant Food and Very Nice and Attentive Service
by tikkipembo
November 15, 2007
Note that I was unaware of the history of this place before enterering this theater district establishment. The ambience is very simple and the place was maybe 15%-20% full. I have to say, I was not concerned with the cleanliness, with the restaurant's mostly white backdrop. The hostess and our waiter were super nice and attentive. We started off with a free app of Pastry Puffs Topped With Onion Seeds And Curried Apple Chutney - a wonderful yummy blend of warm carbs with a tangy sweet twist. We ordered the Assorted Hors D' Oeuvres - the chicken samosa, chicken tikka and shish kebab and the Grilled Cauliflower. There were all cooked well and good to the tummy... but nothing spectacular. For entrees we ordered: Grilled Ginger Lamb, which was okay... a bit dry. What blew my mind was the lamb dish (which the waiter suggested). It was cooked to tender perfection and the sauce was sooooooooo FRAGRANT. It was a definite winner. We had an order of assorted Naan which was a nice side. All in all, I would definitely return.
- Pros: lamb dish, very attentive service
i ate here after watching kitchen nightmares!
by trusttreview
November 05, 2007
well, i love ramsay, and had to see what he could do. and whether or not you can break old habits. i just thought the whole things would be such an interesting philosophical/psychological experience. Business management, one person going in, the smoke that is left after the show. Life after the inspiring talk, the wayne dyer moment of clarity,, the great AH-HA! so, i came here of friday night. it was rather empty. It was only 20% full. The food, oh. it was great. GREAT. YES, IT WAS EXCELLENT! I got the salad, and it was perfect and fresh. No tomato rose. WIth bread you could dip in chutney. We got complimentary appetizer that consisted of fig? It was so good, i really ate it up since i was hungry,, sorry i could not explain it better. Then we got chicken stuffed with fig and spinach. GREAT. Also lamb in pistacho sauce, GREAT... the desert was fabulous as well. cardamon ice cream. But here is the problem,, the big problem. There were these tiny fruit flies around my food. At least 3 different ones. Sometimes 2 at once. It was early November. There was no reason for anything that flies. Plus, my friend had to change her plate since it was dirty. Anywhere else, it would maybe be a bit excusable, esp the dirty plate, i have had that happen often throughout NYC, but after Kitchen Nightmares, i would be so careful about flies, about dirt about anything that would EVER make ANYONE doubt the restaurant, and give it anything less than the 5 stars they deserved for service, for value, and for taste and presentation of the food.
- Pros: excellent food
- Cons: this place should be sparkling clean
Awesome Indian Food!
by maxpeck
July 17, 2007
When one thinks of Indian cuisine, they think it?s spicy. Flavors that their tongues have never tasted before. Most people have a very negative perception on the cuisine. I myself though this. Then I tried the Indian food at Purnima. I was hesitant at first. But after trying the mixed pakoras, I was in shock! The food that I had feared for so long actually tasted great! I proceeded to try another appetizer from there great menu. Then I tried the Anjeer Murg. This dish was chicken stuffed with spinach and figs glazed with tamarind. I let go of my fear and tried it. Once again I was surprised. My mouth had been satisfied with the great flavors. Another great appetizer is the stuffed Samosas, instead of being stuffed with the traditional potato?s and beef. It was stuffed with Spinach and cheese. Purnima had changed my whole perception on what Indian cuisine is. Purnima's chef cooks a mix of Northern Indian food that is not as spicy as the traditional Indian cuisine. He does this to get across the idea that not all Indian food is spicy. Gordon Ramsey had filmed his show Kitchen Nightmares which will air in September, go there before the show airs. But the truth of the matter is that if you try the food at Purnima you will want to try other Indian foods at purnima and leaving taste buds wanting more. Purnima also cooks great comfort food which I will have to go back and try.
- Pros: Great Indian food
- Cons: nothing, its all great
Best Indian Food in New York City
by foodygirl818
July 16, 2007
When I eat Indian food, my mouth explodes with flavor and spices. However, when you step into Purnima, your outlook changes. It is not as spicy as traditional Indian food, but still has lots of flavor. I first tried the mixed pakoras, which are like mini Chinese eggrolls, but are better and contain multitudes of flavor. Then came the samosas, which are usually filled with beef and potatoes, but instead, they were filled with creamy cheese and spinach. They had a slight hint of spice, but it is not overbearingly hot, which allows you to really enjoy the wonderful food. Next, a dish came called Anjeer Murg, which is chicken breast stuffed with spinach and figs and then gently glazed in tamarind. You might think it would be spicy, but it explodes in your mouth with diverse subtle flavors. Chef Vikas Khanna hails from the north of India, which explains why the food is not as spicy as other more common Indian food that we are exposed to. The very popular BBC television program with Gordon Ramsey, Kitchen Nightmares, has filmed one of its episodes at Purnima. Even though it airs in September, there has been lots of publicity on how Gordon Ramsey has humiliated the staff and status of the restaurant. However, when I went yesterday, there was nothing of the sort talked about by Ramsey. It was one of the most pleasurable dining experiences I've had and I certainly hope to be going back soon. I highly recommend it to both avid Indian food lovers and to amateurs who are just taking their baby steps into the world of global cuisine.
Editorial Review by
by Contributor
June 29, 2007
Formerly Nirvana 54, this Indian restaurant has a new chef, a new look and a bourgeoning TV career on Gordon Ramsay's upcoming show.
WORLD CLASS SAYS IT ALL by Bjora K. at InsiderPages
Contributor
June 15, 2007
In the world of indian cuisine, the choices of usually similar looking and tasting dishes is normal.
But what do you get when you combine the great tasting curries and masalas with the unsusual ingredients(for indian cuisine at least) and top it with look of the dishes in some of the finest world class restaurants.
Add to that the unbelievable burst of flavors which hit your palette with each bite
The chef is none other than famous humanitarian Vikas Khanna, if his foundations and efforts to help humanity brought a tear to your eyes , then his phenomenol tasting food is surely going to leave you licking your fingers and craving for more of this myriad of tastes and flavors
