188783 Fri Jul 16 11:11:55 -0700 1999 7 18 Manhattan 0 1007910 I just searched the board for Surya mentions. There were a few--mostly positive, but equivocally so. Thumbs up for appetizers in general, but down for masala dosai and paratha, and someone thought the cocktails were weird. I have a reservation for this evening. Any specific recommendations/warnings? Fri Jul 16 11:11:55 -0700 1999 0 chimera 1 1007911 If you expect authentic Indian food, like generous accompaniments of rice and dal, you will bve di8sappointed. I liked the dosai but it came with the so-called Sea-bass, actually the endangered Patagonian toothfish, in a tasty curry. While the two have little in common, the flavors blended well, but it seemed ridiculous to pair them. The biryani (lamb) was mediocre. They are cautious when using the Indian spices and compensate with chilies, yet no cilantro. It was also rather noisy. Fri Jul 16 14:18:45 -0700 1999 1007910 0 Allan Evans 2 1007914 I think they overcompensate with the chili (and I like spicy foods). Had the biryani and a shrimp dish - nothing but heat. I think the food at Surya lacks finesse. Even though Tabla is not truly Indian, I enjoyed the food there much more. Fri Jul 16 17:09:28 -0700 1999 1007911 0 Gary Cheong 3 1007928 Yep. Surya was pretty much a bust. The crab cake appetizer was pretty good, the vegetable pakoda less so. Rack of lamb was tasty, competently prepared. Salmon was fair, in a lackluster tomato curry sauce. But the biryiani was near awful. Lots of heat, yes, but no really vibrant flavors or inspired pairings anywhere. And everything way overpriced. Even the scene and decor felt a little tired. Though I'll admit (with some embarrasment) to enjoying Surya's berry-flavored, cinnamon-kissed signature novelty drink, the Tajmopolitan. Not enough to return though, even to the bar. Holding out no hopes for the dessert menu after our disappointing meal, our party headed instead to Cones on Bleecker for heavenly grapefruit sorbet. So good, I returned a few days later and had the dazzling combo of pear sorbet and dark chocolate ice cream. To die. Mon Jul 19 14:57:14 -0700 1999 1007914 0 chimera 4 1007964 Who wants to eat warm ices? Is that the way they eat them in Argentina? It sure makes it easier for those beefy boys to scoop, though. The only flavor I really like there is grapefruit. Thu Jul 22 14:06:52 -0700 1999 1007939 0 Robert Sietsema 5 1007969 I'm curious about your critique of the non- grapefruit Cones flavors, Robert, if you would.... Thu Jul 22 18:39:20 -0700 1999 1007964 0 chimera 2 1007916 Allan, Will be very interested in your reaction. We went soon after it opened and weren't very impressed. Everything about the seasonings seemed tentative. If you are going to deviate from standard treatments, why not do so boldly? Sat Jul 17 01:47:23 -0700 1999 1007911 0 Dave Feldman 2 1008230 surya, 302 bleeker, is a very strange affair. this is "international/modern indian food", whatever that may mean, but whatever it is, it doesn't work. it'a pity bec the basic ingredients, especially the fish, seemed to be of excellent quality. for the table: popadums, not the reg kind, the wafer thin, crinkly type. dips that included onion and garlic a's: shrimp with pepper and hot sauce. big, fresh shrimp. this worked. i tasted the crab cake-imo the sauce overpowered it. m's: i had halibut with coconut and mint rice. again the fish was very good quality, but it was swimming in a sickly sauce. accompanying this was mint rice, which was the worst rice i've had in years. chalky, gooey and tasteless. my companions had veg dish (ok) and lamb chops, reported to be very good. you don't get bread in this joint. no naan, chapatti. ds: tapioca pudding that was dry like cake (not recommended); another that resembled syrup pudding, which was quite tasty; a yogurt dish (the request was for the least sweet dessert, and it was by far the sweetest of the three). beers: warm decor: trendy minimalist, service ok my conclusion: not good, tho to provide balance the person who had the lamb chops said he'd go back. Thu Mar 29 11:38:02 -0800 2001 1007911 0 yvonne johnson