Brick Lane - As spicy as they say...

Tonight I down to Brick Lane on East 6th street - or what I like to call, mini curry hill.

We often walk by this street and want to try some of the Indian food, but there are so many choices it can definitely be overwhelming.And we didn't want to pick the wrong one!

So after watching last night's premiere of Chef vs. City on the Food Network where Brick Lane was featured we decided to give it a go.

By the way, the show was quite abysmal as it is basically chefs running around in an amazing race type of scavenger hunt with food challenges.  I would bet that it will only last one season, but at least the first episode took place in NYC.

In one of the challenges the chefs were tasked with shoveling down an entire plate of Phaal from Brick Lane.  Described on the menu:

"An excruciatingly hot curry, more pain and sweat than flavor, for our customers who do this on a dare, we will require you to state a verbal disclaimer not holding us liable for any physical or emotional damage after eating this curry. If you do manage to finish your serving of curry, a bottle of beer is on us"

Upon watching this - of course my boyfriend had to go try it!  After debating back and forth on the menu, our server offered to give us a free taste of it on the house.  Very nice of him, as all it took was one bite and we were toast.  So spicy - made with 7 of the world's spiciest chillies...we needed a mango lassi to wash down just a couple of bites.  Spicy spicy!  Please let me know if any of you were able to finish a plate!

So after deciding we could not in fact endure a whole dish of the Phaal, we went with the Tikka Masala with shrimp and the Madras with chicken.  Delicious!  The tikka masala is a classic - tomato cream sauce with a nice spice and kick to it that is often missing from many restaurants.  It was also a bit lighter than I'm used to which I loved.

The Madras was a hotter curry than the tikka masala with mustard seeds, curry leaves and red chillies.  This was a bit thicker and spicier.

Added with an onion kulcha - naan stuffed with onions - perfect for sopping up the extra curry.


Brick Lane
306-308 East 6th St (Between 1st and 2nd Ave)
212-979-8787

Tabla & Tabla Bread Bar - A Danny Meyer Favorite

Tabla is a Danny Meyer Indian inspired restaurant, that like most of his other restaurants, has a special emphasis on seasonal and locally sourced foods.

Tabla experiments with traditional Indian flavors and western techniques, resulting in a truly gourmet experience. The restaurant is especially known for its daily selection of fresh baked Tandoori breads.

Be forewarned, dinner at Tabla can be quite expensive so take advantage of the $25 prix-fixe lunch served daily in the dining room. Don't be surprised if you find that the dining room has been taken over by business lunches. No more of those $500 lunches these days!

I could sit here and describe all the dishes - but instead here is a video to show some of the highlights - all exquisitely plated with vibrant colors and flavors. Dishes shown include lamb, halibut, and several desserts including vanilla kulfi and chocolate ganache.



P.S. Next door to Tabla is the Bread Bar which serves food in a more casual setting and at a lower price point.

Tabla
11 Madison Ave. New York, NY 10010
212-889-0667
http://www.tablany.com/

A. Kati Roll - Way to start off the Food tour with a Bang!

First stop on the food tour was Kati Roll in Greenwich Village.

From what I can tell, Kati rolls are kind of like an Indian version of a burrito,wrap or pita. Funny enough the wrap also reminds me of the scallion pancakes you get at Ollies.

I know that sounds weird, and I quite possibly am butchering it, but basically they are thin, crispy rolls filled with meats or veggies, cheese and egg.

We got the Unda Chicken Kati roll - filled with spicy chicken, egg and onions. What was interesting was that it definitely had a spicy kick to it...but you almost didn't feel the burn until it hit as an aftertaste. This can be dangerous if you eat quickly (which I do) and might leave you scurrying to the counter for a refresher...

Tip - Milk is the best remedy to dilute the burning sensation. Beer, soda and water do no good.

Guess it goes back to the saying "Milk does a body good..."

Kati Roll
99 MacDougal St. New York, NY
212-420-6517
www.thekatirollcompany.com/