Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
I have heard about Utsav so many times, my Indian colleagues liking this place and mentioning it very often when discussing the various Indian restaurants Midtown. So, I finally went there for lunch, benefiting from their buffet that, although pricey ($22) is still a good deal for the quality of food, especially since Balucci's and its 50% discount for lunch closed. Their dining room is quite big and I liked the fact that it was bright, but it definitely misses some charm, looking more like a restaurant you would find in a hotel.
Dining room at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
Waiting area at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
Food wise, the buffet offers quite a nice selection of dishes, ensuring the heat level is bearable. My favorite there was the dal makhani, this black lentils dish that you can find on most of Indian restaurants menu. This one was thick as oppose to the watery ones I had in the past. Then, I loved the Murgh Shahi Korma, that is pieces of chicken smothered by a delicious cash nut and almond sauce. So creamy.
Dal Makhani at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
Murgh Shahi Korma at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
As far as vegetarian dishes are concerned, their veggie makhanwalla, made of assorted vegetables and cottage cheese, bathed in a creamy tomato sauce was also a winner. But I have to admit that the bhindi masala, made with okra was a option; I discovered okra in an Indian restaurant and, being mainly a non-vegetarian, I enjoy it very much.
Veggie Makhanwalla at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
Bhindi Masala at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
Dessert was also good, with Gajar Ka Halwa, a sweet carrot pudding, or a mixed fruit mango mousse that was not too sweet, maybe counterbalancing each other. I was glad that they propose two options as I am always frustrated that in buffet desserts are sacrificed.
Gajar ka halwa at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
Mixed fruits mango mousse at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
Here are other dishes I tried:
Rice pulao and vegetable biryani:
Rice pulao and vegetable biryani at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
Chana Palak (chickpeas and spinach cooked in mild spices):
Chana Palak at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
Delicious tandoori chicken:
Tandoori chicken at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
Fish vindaloo (spicy):
Fish vindaloo at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
Spinach fritters (my least favorite):
Spinach fritters at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
And of course, all the fixings: raita, tamarind sauce, chutney, onions, etc.
Fixings at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
Fixing at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
As well as naan:
Naan at Utsav, Indian restaurant Midtown Manhattan
It was quite good and I will definitely go back to Utsav. Maybe for their week end lunch special as they serve dishes like Dosa or Uttapam at that time in their buffet.
Enjoy (I did)!
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