Aaahh, Oooohh, Aaah
More, Faster, Yes, Yes
Faster, More, Yes, Aah
Oh My God, Oh My God
I’m Saravanaaing, Ooh
Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!
Nirvanaaahhh
@
Saravanaa Bhavan 😉
Folks, of how many Indian restaurants in New York City can you boldly, honestly declare that the food repeatedly produces a body shaking, rippling, lengthy orgasm that jerks you out of your seat.
One shuddering, exhilarating, quivering 10,000-volt orgasmic jolt after another.
Oh yeah, one jolt after another that had us panting gimme more, baby, gimme more!
Yes, that is the high Saravanaa Bhavan on 81 Lexington Ave (at 26th St) in NYC delivered right to our table.
We swear we saw glimpses of the starry heavens and the celestial nymphs Urvashi, Rambha and Manekha dancing in their itsy bitsy attire during our meal at the NYC Indian vegetarian restaurant Saravanaa Bhavan.
Schmucks, you think we’re exaggerating or that this is all hyperbole?
Then tell us why there is a crowd waiting only outside Saravanaa Bhavan on Lexington Ave when most Indian restaurants in the area, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, have an empty, woebegone, forlorn look?
Simple answer, kiddo. Simple.
You see, the food at the Lexington Ave outpost of Saravanaa Bhavan is so lip-smacking delicious that people are willing to tolerate the elements and even the irritation of the wait for a chance to experience the heaven that lies just beyond the restaurant’s glass window.
We had been there for lunch a few years back (an unsatisfactory experience, by the way) but lately whenever we headed to the Indian strip on Lexington Ave we invariably noticed a crowd waiting outside.
Made us wonder what had changed at Saravanaa Bhavan that in a recession people (mostly Indians) would stand in line outside a restaurant.
So off we headed to this vegetarian Indian restaurant for breakfast the other day to investigate what was luring the crowds.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Saravanaa‘s
As we stepped into the Saravanaa Bhavan dining room the other day, the place already had five diners (both Indian and American) and more came after we were seated.
Not bad, we told ourselves. After all, we live in an depressed economy when many Indian restaurants on Lexington Ave would be lucky to land five diners for lunch or dinner!
Now, ask not what SI had for breakfast at Saravanaa Bhavan. Ask, instead, what we didn’t.
Idli, Medhu Vada, Pongal, Masala Dosa, Coffee, Masala Chai, we had it all.
Ah, we can see you guys extending your drooling tongues out, saliva falling to the floor and just dying of jealousy.
Oh wait. We even gorged on the most tabulious Badam Halwa ever made this side of the Atlantic.
Sweet, na.
Saravanaa Bhavan, Lexington Ave, NYC
Indian Vegetarian Mecca on Lexington Ave
Gosh, how do we describe the heavens to ye schmucks that have endured only the Hades of Indian restaurants on Lexington Ave in NYC.
Let’s start with the Idlis.
Round and large, our two Idlis came on a stainless-steel plate with Coconut Chutney, Tomato Chutney, Mint Chutney, Mullagai Podi and a small cup of Sambar.
In a country where most Indian restaurants serve cold Chutney, we were delighted to eat fresh Chutneys. All three of our Chutneys were rightly spiced for Indian palates and prepared to satisfy even the most querulous of diners like yours truly.
Did we tell you? Though the Idlis were large in size, they were still light.
Dip the Idli pieces in the medium-thick beans+onion+tomato Sambar or have em’ with the Chutneys, either way they are simply divine.
The large Medhu Vada was crisp, evenly cooked inside and seemed to have been prepared for the very Gods.
Pongal with its subtle pepper flavor and the different Chutneys kicked us up to a bigger high.
Masala Dosa – Flavorful But….
As we gormandized on the fresh vegetarian treats on our table, our Mexican waiter laid the large Masala Dosa before our greedy eyes and salivating tongue.
Masala Dosa too came with those divine Chutneys and the delicious Sambar plus of course, the onion/potato filling in the center.
Large, crisp and tasty as the Masala Dosa was, we felt a little let down over the tiny quantity of the onion+potato filling inside, which by the way was also a wee bit pasty.
Service Could be Better
The two Indian employees inside the dining room ignored us and were busy yakking away loudly in Tamil about some isometric kitchen and threatening to revoke the visa of an employee who had stopped coming to work, contacting the errant employee’s friend Prabhu, how all employees prefer to work at the NYC branch of Saravanaa Bhavan blah blah blah.
If we had our way, we’d pack both these bozos on a leaky boat back to Tamil Nadu (the state where they presumably hail from).
Also, our Mexican waiter (the shorter one) not only had difficulty with the English language but also appeared to have missed the evolution boat completely.
You see, the Mexican waiter got us our Madras Coffee before our food. Since the Coffee was so good we did not give him an earful. But it could have been a bit hotter.
When we asked our Masala Tea to be reheated, the Amigo looked at us like a deer caught in the headlights. And we had to repeat our request, slowly.
However, the Amigo filled the water glasses, removed the finished plates and, more importantly checked with us before clearing the plates.
Irritating as the service issues were, they are minor cavils in what was an absolutely gorgeous, fulfilling, sumptuous meal.
Sweet Temptations
Tis’ no secret that we have an insatiable, rapacious appetite for all things sweet. Yeah, this includes the biped members of the distaff sex too. 😉
The two options presented by our amigo waiter were Rava Kesari and Badam Halwa. Before the Mexican could complete the word Halwa we jumped out of our seats and asked for a plate of Badam Halwa.
The cup of Badam Halwa that landed on our plate looked so beautiful that we were, at first, reluctant to even touch it lest its pristine beauty be marred. But slowly, our inner Bakasura got the better of us and we dug into what we’ll call the Aishwarya Rai competitor with gusto.
Not too ghee heavy nor over-heated, this is the kind of stuff that induces wet dreams even in the saints.
By now, we were in the seventh heavens and silently texted a Thank You, God to the one above for installing and deifying this Indian Vegetarian Orgasm Temple on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan.
At peace with the world after our standout Indian vegetarian meal, we slowly heaved our satiated selves out of our seat and stepped out of heaven into the real world but not before vowing a speedy return to its manifold pleasures.
Beg, Borrow or Steal
Guys, we don’t care what you do.
If you really have an abiding passion for vegetarian Indian food as much as we do, then make Saravanaa Bhavan your next port of call.
Churchill may have promised blood, toil, tears and sweat to the Englishmen but we promise our fellow Indians that your reward at Saravanaa Bhavan will be nothing short of Soul Stirring Nirvana and a Mind-Blowing, Body Rippling Orgasm.
You can be sure it won’t be long before we brave the thronging lunch crowds and head out to this Indian restaurant on Lexington Ave to sample its Vegetarian Thali.
Related Stories:
Michelin Folks Too get Orgasm at Saravanaas NYC a.k.a Saravanaa Bhavan on Lexington Ave
Saravanaa Bhavan Edison (NJ) Review – Murder Most Foul
Saravanaa Bhavan NYC Review: Orgasmic Heaven on Lexington Ave; Ooh, Aahh, Oh God, Yes, Yes! added by SearchIndia.com on
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Doubt that Saravanaas, Murray Hill is part of the HSB chain. it probably should not be part of the “Related Stories” just by virtue of having a similar name
http://www.saravanabhavan.com lists only 4 locations – Sunnyvale, Atlanta, NJ and NYC (Lexington Ave.)
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Doubt that Saravanaas, Murray Hill is part of the HSB chain. it probably should not be part of the “Related Stories” just by virtue of having a similar name
No.
We think it’s the same restaurant.
Same location.
Plus, if you look carefully above the Sherlock Holmes poster in the photo, it says Saravanaas (since picture is cropped, you may not see it clearly).
But you can see it in the Saravanaa Bhavan web site’s picture clearly here.
BTW, the Lexington Ave strip where several Indian restaurants are located is in Murray Hill a.k.a. Curry Hill.
N.B.: You went into the spam-hole again. 🙁
I was thrown off by the no logo(same as SRINIVAS logic) in the picture posted in http://www.nyindia.us/saravanaas-review.html. I thought if there is no logo then it can’t be HSB.. but it definitely looks like the same building.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Same restaurant. Same building.
The logo and the word Saravanaas (below the big Saravanaa Bhavan) makes it clear it’s the same.
If our memory serves us right, on the other side of the building (i.e. facing 26th St) the sign still says Saravanaas. Will check next time.
grr.. I am going into spamhole again. Didn’t it like the Aas in Saravanaas or it probably keeps a count of how many URLs I post and I get a strike out after n number of times.
you have that logo on the left hand side …..which confirms that its the same ….also if the food is good ……….then it has to be that one ……..
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write above: you have that logo on the left hand side …..which confirms that its the same
Good Point!
Well, Well, Well, I proved to be right after all. HSB does indeed provide great quality food, even in USA, albeit at a higher cost (Think so).
How was the price list? Were the items costlier? As far as I know, in Chennai, I have regularly dined at the HSB (Saravana Bhavan) Fast Food at Thousand Lights Area (Constituency of your beloved LOOSE PAIYAA). Man, they had GREATTTTTTT FOOOD, but were COSTLY.
Apart from HSB (Hotel Saravana Bhavan), only a few branches of Sangeetha, Vasantha Vihar, and A2B provide high quality food.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Well, Well, Well, I proved to be right after all.
Yes, sweetie. You are so right.
Food at Saravanaa Bhavan NYC on Lexington Ave was indeed divine. If you are a vegetarian and plan to dine in NYC, Saravanaa Bhavan is likely your best bet.
2. You write above: How was the price list? Were the items costlier?
Yes, obscenely expensive.
You see the real murderer and the alleged immigration-laws murderer at Saravanaa Bhavan have to pay hefty legal bills. 😉 Not to forget the salaries of the two blabbering idiots (Tamil, of course) working in the dining room in NYC.
For instance, two Idlis and Coffee cost us $7.99.
Pongal, Medhu Vada and Tea – $8.99
Masala Dosa – $7.99
Badam Halwa – $5.65
Plus Tax, Plus Tips
jus had a bowl of bland, insipid cereals and reading this now 🙁 i don’t remember when i had my last good masala dosa?
btw what do u do for living? from what i can see, you eat in restaurants, watch movies, write blogs and reply to comments. the ‘about us’ section should have couple of lines about you guys.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: jus had a bowl of bland, insipid cereals
What’s the point in living.
You might as well take a knife to your wrist. 😉
2. You write: from what i can see, you eat in restaurants, watch movies, write blogs and reply to comments. the ‘about us’ section should have couple of lines about you guys
Naan Avan Illai. That’s the night-shift coolie. 😉
i know i know!
but who are u? at least reply like rajini thaatha “en payaru padaiyappa, meesa vecha kuzhandaippa” something like that 😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: but who are u? at least reply like rajini thaatha “en payaru padaiyappa, meesa vecha kuzhandaippa” something like that
En Chella Paeru Apple…Ennakum Don’t Care Policy
Happy? 😉
I visit Saravanaa Bhavan (you got typo at few places – SaravaNNa) at Anna nagar(Chennai) often. Even I visited last weekend for some snacks.
Pros – Heavenly food directly from the feet of God. Even the waiters there look like poosaari (who does rituals to God) with long viboodhi (ash) pattai in forehead with one-rupee-coin sized kumkum at the middle.
In the A/C floor, they place the side-dishes at the table on a small stove lit-up, so that the food doesn’t become tepid.
They have different types of thali’s for lunch like Rajasthani, Rangoli, etc which tastes authentic.
Cons – Very little quantity. I just want to see the serving spoons they use to transfer the items to plate. Anyone at first sight will be shocked at the quantity of pongal.
Prices – I use to wonder whether they bill for the food served or food+plates+cups+table or even building. Saravanaa Bhavan Special meals (which can serve one) is around Rs 175 (~$3.8). I would say its a total ripoff.
You: “Please get me lunch”
Wait,
Wait,
Wait,
Waitor:”Sir, here is your lunch”
You:”Moron, its time for dinner!”
If you order any thali for take away, it will take not less than 45mins to get your order in hands. They does know the meaning of “Wait”or.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: They have different types of thali’s for lunch like Rajasthani, Rangoli, etc which tastes authentic.
The only thing we like about India is the heavenly food. South Indian, North Indian, Gujarati, Rajasthani, Punjabi, Bengali…..Nothing like Indian food in the universe. The mere thought of it gets us into a drooling fit.
Everything else about the f*cking country sickens us. 😉
Our waiters at Saravanaa Bhavan were dressed in black and were Mexicans, who seemed like they had crossed the borders 15 minutes earlier..
2. We agree on the ripoff prices at Saravanaa Bhavan. Wonder if the other prisoners are ripping owner P.Rajagopal’s a*s in jail? 😉
3. Looks like they do roaring business back home too.
Not sure if they are doing that well in the Edison branch where the competition is severe. On a 1-mile stretch called Oak Tree Road in Edison (New Jersey), there are some 15-20 Indian restaurants.
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NYC Indian Restaurants
you write: Looks like they do roaring business back home too
In the Vegetarian category HSB is the clear winner and way ahead when compared its competitors. They have established firmly in all the major cities in Tamil Nadu and widely recognised. Even Rajagopal-Jeevajothi scandal doesn’t prove to be a setback for their business (many thought all the restaurants would be closed eventually after Rajagopal’s arrest).
Other decent chain of restaurants in Chennai are Vasantha Bhavan, Hot Chips (best bet for both money and taste) and A2B (from the house of Adyar Anandha Bhavan – famous for its mouth-lingering sweets).
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: In the Vegetarian category HSB is the clear winner and way ahead when compared its competitors.
Ditto in NYC too.
Particularly in the Lexington Ave area (between 25th St to 30th St), Saravanaa Bhavan currently is a safe bet for Indian vegetarian food.
* (Sorry for the delay in processing your comment. For some reason, your comment went into the spam folder)
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NYC Indian Restaurants