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Spice Symphony Lexington Ave

Address: Spice Symphony 182 Lexington Ave (Bet 31st & 32nd St) New York, NY 10016 Other NYC Indian/Pakistani Restaurants

Spice Symphony NYC Review: Spicy Indian Delight on Lexington Ave

When news reached me that a new Indian restaurant Spice Symphony had opened on Lexington Ave, I was eager to try it.

I wanted to try Spice Symphony food because Walter Rozario is one of the Chefs at Spice Symphony.

I am no stranger to Walter's curries. I have had it at Spice Fusion, Salaam Bombay and Bay Leaf.

Lunch Specials

Since I visited Spice Symphony around 1PM, I naturally opted for the lunch specials - Chicken ($9) and Vegetarian ($8).

Chicken Lunch

My Chicken Lunch special included Lollipop Chicken for appetizer, Chilli Chicken for entree and Hakka Noodles.

Lollipop Chicken included two pieces with green salad and dip on the side.

Lollipop Chicken

Lollipop Chicken was spicy, evenly fried and came piping hot to the table.

Chicken was tender and absorbed the spices well. At the end of the second piece, I was hankering for more and a bit peeved with the small serving size.

Chilli Chicken

Chilli Chicken and Hakka Noodles were close competitors to Lollipop Chicken in both taste and flavor.

Set in a medium thick smooth gravy, Chilli Chicken was spicy, tangy and again my complaint was the small serving size.

Chicken was tender and absorbed the flavor of bell peppers, green onion and turned out to be a spicy delight.

Hakka Noodles

Sometimes in life when it rains it pours.

At Spice Symphony, one spicy delight after another put me in ecstasy.

Hakka Noodles with a sprinkling of grated carrot and green onion were so tasty that I will switch my loyalties to Spice Symphony from Chinese Mirch for my future Indian Chinese cravings.

The noodles were cooked to perfection and the moisture level was optimal.

Sauces

I sprinkled the green chilli in vinegar and Chilli Oil sauces that came with the Hakka Noodles to increase the spice level to suit my spice hardened palate.

Vegetarian Lunch

My Vegetarian lunch option included Lasooni Gobi for appetizer, Baingan Bharwan for entree, Dal Makhani, plain rice and Naan bread.

Lasooni Gobi

Lasooni Gobi included six pieces of well fried Cauliflower florets set in a spicy soy color sauce with green onion and cut green chilli dressing.

Lasooni Gobi was crisp, tangy and spicy and left me hankering for more. Folks, it was that good.

Baingan Bharwan (left), Dal Makhani (right), Rice

Set in a medium thick brown color gravy, Baingan Bharwan included two baby eggplants.

The baby eggplants were tender and had a fine taste of green chilli, coconut and yogurt. While I enjoyed the Baingan Bharwan, I like it a tad spicier.

Dal Makhani usually gets shortchanged at most NYC Indian restaurants. Most Indian restaurants in NYC serve finely boiled Rajma (red beans) and other lentils as Dal Makhani.

But at Spice Symphony even the humble Dal Makhani got the attention of the kitchen and was cooked to perfection. It was creamy, spicy and one of the most flavorful Dal Makhanis I have tasted in NYC.

Naan Bread

Plain rice was piping hot and had a freshly cooked texture.

Naan bread included four pieces and I had no complaints about it.

Desserts and Hot Beverages

While I enjoyed my lunch specials, it was a shame that they did not include any desserts.

Malai Kulfi - $4

What's an Indian meal without dessert.

So I ordered Malai Kulfi to satisfy my sweet cravings.

Malai Kulfi included four cubes with a sprinkling of pistachio toppings.

Malai Kulfi was flaky as it should be and delicious with right amount of sugar and other ingredients.

I mucho relished it

But I can't say the same about my Masala Chai order.

Sure the Masala Chai came piping hot but it smelled and tasted like over-boiled strong tea.

It lacked the aromatic flavor of cinnamon, clove and cardamom spices.

Ambiance & Service

Located on Lexington Ave between 31st St and 32nd St, Spice Symphony occupies the same location as the now closed Yogi's Kitchen and its predecessor Indo Munch

As you enter, you have to climb down two steps and make a left to enter the rectangular dining hall.

Dining tables are up front with the cash counter close to the entrance, kitchen at the rear and rest rooms on the rear right.

Spice Symphony Dining Hall

Tables are arranged by the sides of the wall and the restaurant has a clean, pleasing ambiance.

Food ordering and serving was a breeze. No issues. Appetizers were served first followed by the entrees. The desi waiter got us Chilli Oil and other sauces without any prompting.

While I enjoyed the food and overall ambiance, I did not like the table hygiene.

The silver was placed directly on the table by the side of the cloth napkin.

Keeping the silver directly on the table is bad table hygiene practice as they would pick up fumes of the table cleaning chemical fluids.

Spice Symphony Rating

Notwithstanding my minor irritation about table hygiene, I would heartily recommend Spice Symphony to lovers of Indian-Chinese food in NYC.

The Chicken and vegetarian lunch specials are under $10 and food is spicy and tasty. - © NYIndia.us

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