252914 Thu Oct 09 12:07:12 -0700 2003 5 20 Tristate Region 0 1342016 I understand how tempting it may be to order the dosas in a place that is named after them but if you ever find yourself there on a weekday afternoon do yourself a favor and go for the thali lunch. I come to offer heaps of praise and perhaps a little bit of influence. In short a thali is a stainless steel tray with an assortment of stuff on it. In the case of House of Dosas- Very Good Stuff. The staples (same thing every day) are: sambar, rassam, pickles, a papad and yogurt. The variables are: two different rice dishes and two different vegetable dishes. Sometimes you get dal, sometimes halva. One could eat lunch there every day of the week and have a different experience every time (at $6.50 that’s not much of a stretch). The sambar is consistently excellent. The rassam (spicy vegetable broth) is remarkably flavorful and, if anything, has been getting spicier as the clientele gets more accustomed to the heat. That is a warning, I suppose, but when in Rome… The pickles are made on premises and beyond comparison (aside: sometimes I think that they refer to me as ‘the pickle guy’ there because of my open adoration of the stuff ) It may take the uninitiated a few times to warm up to, but please let it work its magic on you. And the yogurt is also made fresh and stands on its own, aside from being a palate cleanser and fire extinguisher. The rice dishes are simply wonderful on their own, and if you’re lucky you’ll get coconut rice. The vegetables and curries are off menu and made specifically for the thali. They are sublime and elegant, for lack of a better term, because a misstep in any number of directions could set the dish way off balance. There is a very skilled hand in the kitchen. Everything I have had has made an impression, though the sautéed beets are amazing. Thu Oct 09 12:07:12 -0700 2003 0 Tongo Rad 1 1342062 I agree this place is a miracle. Combined with the great Sikh cooking at Punjabi tandoor (470 s. broadway, just down the street) and the superb Bangladeshi at Mina (4811 43rd Ave, near 49th St 718-205-6671 , see myriad postings on the outer boros board), this is definitely turning into an Indian food epoch around here. ciao Mon Oct 13 13:24:38 -0700 2003 1342016 0 Jim Leff 2 1342093 Agreed re:Punjabi Tandoor, though I've only been there once for a quick chicken tikka lunch. It was superb and the staff (person, actually) was friendly. My business takes me to Hicksville only two or three times a month and it's hard to resist House of Dosas under those circumstances... I've seen the posts re:Mina and will definitely have to make arrangements to get there. Sounds like it is right up my alley. Wed Oct 15 07:55:10 -0700 2003 1342062 0 Tongo Rad 3 1342101 The wonderfulness of Punjabi Tandoor runs deep. The Chicken Tikka Masala is excellent. Other things to try here are Samosa Chaat, Sarson da Saag and Dal Makhani. It's worth making a trip for dinner. Unfortunately, some of the places in this location haven't lasted too long (like the previous occupant Chinese Dosa), so try it again while you can. That said, I'm long overdue for a visit to House of Dosas. The Thali lunch sounds great. Wed Oct 15 11:42:13 -0700 2003 1342093 0 Paul Trapani 3 1342103 Staff, FWIW, is way more than just "friendly". I've had them get teary eyed when I expressed enthusiasm for sarsan de saag (sp?) and maki de roti, the Sikh standards. I've had them whip up dishes not on menu just 'cuz they overheard me talking about them. These are some of the greatest guys on the planet, and their restaurant kills, and (man, this is high praise) I'm not entirely sure you NEED to run out to Mina if you live within range of this place. Well, not true. The style of cooking could not possibly be more different. You've got to try them both. But Punjabi Tandoor is magical, too, a great culinary point of light. And they really could use business. Use it or lose it, Long Island. It's a treasure. Please pass the word around about it. If it closes, I'll be disconsolate. ciao Wed Oct 15 12:21:18 -0700 2003 1342093 0 Jim Leff 4 1342106 Jim and Paul, You have both convinced me (though it didn't take much) to make sure my next trip to the area includes a stop for some sarsan de saag. Looking forward to it. Wed Oct 15 13:05:57 -0700 2003 1342103 0 Tongo Rad