Outta my way, I need Tikka Masala!
Written: Jun 18 '03
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Pros: Good Indian food, great selection, good prices.
Cons: Crowded most nights, they run out of naan a lot!
The Bottom Line: New Delhi offers there great buffet for lunch and dinner. They also offer menu service, although I've never done it.
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| martytdx's Full Review: New Delhi |
My name is Marty, and I'm a Cuisinaholic. I love ethnic/foreign cuisines, and I'm always hankering one or the other. My wife and I have a monthly treat for ourselves where we try a new restaurant every month which serves food from a different corner of the world. Fortunately, some of the ones we like - I get to go back to more often.
New Delhi is one of those restaurants.
I LOVE Indian food. My wife and son love Indian food. So, whenever we are in the mood for some good Indian, we make the quick trip down to University City and New Delhi restaurant.
FOOD
We go to New Delhi for the buffet. They offer up 9 entrees on most nights, along with a naan (a pita-like flat bread), fruit and various dips. On a typical night, the menu includes 3-4 meat dishes, while the remainder are vegetarian. Our most recent visit included some of my favorite dishes:
*Tandoori Chicken - a chicken dish where the pieces are cooked in yogurt and herbs and then barbecued in a super-hot oven
*Chicken Tikka Masala - a delicious dish which combines Tandoori chicken in a red curry sauce
*Dal Mahkni - a soupy dish of lentils and spices which is delicious over the basmati rice
*Alu Mutter - chick peas and potatoes with vegetables in a thick sauce, perfect for putting in naan
*Samosas - Fried vegetable turnovers filled with potatoes and spices
As I said, we usually go for the buffet, which runs $8.95 for dinner, and that includes dessert. The menu is fairly consistent with the above items, and usually includes at least one lamb dish, as well. However, they often move some different things in and out, so you’ll find something new most of the time.
The food is always hot and always fresh, although there is sometimes a wait to get sufficient naan. The quality of the food is very good – I’m sure it isn’t the absolute best Indian restaurant in town, but for what we want – variety of delicious Indian dishes – it’s more than good enough for us. My personal favorite is the Chicken Tikka Masala - the moist chicken holds its own flavor even while being in a delectable sauce with onions and peppers. The Alu Mutter is a great complement to basmati on a piece of naan. And their normal lamb dish – I’m not sure what it’s called offhand, but it’s pieces of lamb in a green stew with vegetables – is superb.
They also offer a menu, if you would prefer. It looks like a fairly diverse selection of dishes from all over India, but I have never ordered from it so I have to defer to another diners’ opinion on those items.
Desert has a variety of options, although we tend to stay with the ice creams (vanilla, chocolate or mango). The other dishes are also very good – kheer is a rice pudding which is similar to most rice puddings, while barfi is an interesting pistachio cheesecake. Gulab Jamun is home-made milk balls in a honey syrup – a little sweet for my tastes, but not bad.
For beverages, the items range from the yogurt-based lassa to Indian beers such as Taj Mahal and Kingfisher. Neither beer is exceptional, but when in India…
SERVICE
The service at New Delhi is pretty quick. We’ve never waited for a table more than 15 minutes, even on the busiest of nights. The servers are all very polite – some are friendlier than others, but all will do whatever you need for you to have a nice dinner. The management is especially friendly, answering our frequent questions about the items, their origins and how to make them.
DÉCOR
Honestly, the place leaves a little to be desired in the décor. Decorated in ‘traditional’ Indian motifs, the paintings and glitter on the ceiling are a bit gaudy, but we don’t go for the atmosphere. They keep the rooms cool and dark, mostly, although you have plenty of light to enjoy your dining companions.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you like Indian food – or you would like to try it – New Delhi is a great place to visit. They offer a number of delicious items on their buffet, and you are sure to find something that you like. If you are feeling more sure of yourself, or know what you want, the menu is full of options, although I can’t say we’ve ever partaken.
The food here is delicious, and you have a wide variety to choose from for a only pocket change. The atmosphere is congenial from the diverse crowd the restaurant attracts (local college students, local adults and people like us who just like it) – there’s really no downside.
For More Information:
http://www.newdelhiweb.com/
4004 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 386-1941
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations It's a buffet, so there's something for everyone. The Chicken Tikka Masala is awesome, and most other dishes are very good.
Best Suited For: Friends
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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 - Top 100 |
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 478
Trusted by: 177 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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