Dawat

210 E 58th Street

Recently, I have taken a love of Indian food. Looking back, it was inevitable. I am vegetarian and love spicy food, although my first few encounters with it did not favor to my fondness. But I kept trying. Or rather, my friends kept trying until they found me the perfect Indian place. I can tell you what that place is not—a Midtown East eatery called Dawat.

A restaurant’s atmosphere can make or break a dining experience. Dawat’s broke mine—twice.

The first time InterSportsWriter and I visited, we were seated next to an overtly loud woman with a noticeable Southern accent and what appeared to be her colleague who listened indifferently as she dominated the conversation. Usually, this is not bothersome except the place was empty.

The second time we visited, we were seated at the exact same table in the nearly empty restaurant, and once again the woman adjacent us dominated the conversation in unusually loud undertones. She did the majority of the talking in between taking numerous phone calls in front of her colleague; the only difference was she lacked the Southern accent of her predecessor. This time we asked to be moved, and fortunately the server granted our request immediately.

Regarding the food, we started with the following:

Onion Fritters (crisp light, chickpea flour batter dipped, onion fritters)

Vegetable Samosa (spicy seasoned potatoes and peas wrapped in light pastry)

We shared the Vegetarian Thali consisting of the following:

Farasvi Bhaji (green beans cooked w/ freshly grated coconut)
Saag Paneer (spinach puree w/ cubes of paneer cheese)
Gobhi Aloo (potatoes, cauliflower & Indian spices)
Sindhi Karhi (vegetarian stew made w/ chickpea flour & vegetables)
Pulao Rice (Indian rice)
Poori Breads (deep-fried puffed bread)
plus a variety of Chutneys & Relishes

I am obsessed with samosas and found theirs amazing. They were just right in terms of crispness on the outside and flavorful on the inside. The fritters, however, were slightly dry and bland in taste.

The entire main dish was wonderful. The Vegetarian Thali appears to be a small meal but is just right for 2 people without leftovers. My favorites included the saag paneer and the gobhi aloo. It’s hard to go wrong with either staple Indian dish, yet I still found myself craving more after they were finished.

The complementary papadum (thin crispy Indian wafers) served with a trio of chutneys at the start of the meal is a great way to wet your taste buds, but beware of where, or rather who, you are seated.

I have yet to visit India, but I imagine Dawat comes pretty close to the real thing. The owner, Madhur Jaffrey, is an Indian actress and food writer. If I worked in the area, perhaps I would order takeaway, but as far as a repeat visit in person, forget it. The outdated décor and older clientele who insist on taking personal calls at the table and practicing public speaking are too stuffy for my liking. The only thing “haute” about Dawat Haute Indian Cuisine was my blood pressure upon leaving.

DAMAGE ~$65
VERDICT: Pass

PJ Clarke's

915 3rd Ave (b/w 55th St & 56th St)

Silly me. What was I thinking? Going to a place with steak and seafood and expecting it to be vegetarian friendly. Friends were in town and insisting on steak as their last meal before their flight the next day. Sir Fancy Pants chose PJ Clarke’s as he had been several times and could vouch for the quality of the food. He assured me there were plenty of things on the menu for me as well.

NOTE TO VEGETARIANS: WHEN A MEAT EATER TELLS YOU THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPTIONS FOR YOU AND USES THE WORD SALAD ANYWHERE IN THE SENTENCE, THROW UP A RED FLAG. This means you’re screwed. Meat eaters do not grasp that not all vegetarians like salad and/or want to eat it at every meal. Imagine going out to a different restaurant each day with only one option on the menu: SALAD. It would get boring fast. You would probably be completely turned off to salad within a few weeks; the sight and smell of leaves might even make you nauseous. Now imagine living your life this way. Welcome to my world.

When we arrived to PJ Clarke’s Saturday evening at 9:30, we were told there would be a one hour wait for our party of 17. So we hung out in the crowded bar, located in a separate room from the restaurant. 45 minutes later, we were seated.

The waiter started us off with several bottles of red wine, white wine, bottled water, and more drinks. When I looked at the menu, besides salad and vegetable side dishes, there were two other options for me to eat: mac and cheese or a goat cheese omelet. I opted for the mac and a side of home fries. The rest of the table ordered steak and a variety of side dishes.

Once the food arrived, I was greeted by a plate of baked macaroni and cheese (served with peas) and a side of home potatoes. I also snacked on the closest side dishes: creamed spinach and button mushrooms in red wine sauce. Everything was good, but nothing struck out as particularly special. I know New Yorkers have a thing for macaroni and cheese. Although PJ Clarke’s is nothing to stub your nose at, I could have made the dish myself.

The service was great; our server managed to keep up with the demands of all 17 of us. I heard several of my dinner companions remark on how great the steak was; one commented that it was the best he ever had.

Given the limited options on the menu and the nature of the place (i.e. steakhouse), PJ Clarke’s is a miss. However, the bar (est. 1884) is one of the oldest in New York City (second behind McSorley’s Old Ale House est. 1854). In that regard, I recommend stopping in for a drink before heading elsewhere.

DAMAGE ~ $40 (my meal plus drinks)
VERDICT: Go...but only for drinks