New Indian Restaurant in Pleasantville, NY

[barryreena]

Does anyone know the name of the New Indian restaurant in Pleasantviile, along with the address and Phone #.

Also has anyone tried it. ANy other local Indian rest. suggestions that are good.

Thanks

[joestorage]

This is my new favorite Indian place in Westchester. Great quality food, very friendly staff. The Palak Paneer is fabulous. They recently had some renovations with a small store by the entrance.

[Laurie914]

Have to post a shout out to my new favorite Westchester Indian restaurant, Chutney Masala in Irvington. I used to go to Malabar Hill. I didn't know they'd changed owners, but I wasn't excited about the new "creative" menu options and accompanying new prices. There was a place in Tarrytown called Tandoori Something that I HATED - they were the only place that delivered to me, and I actually threw out their food. So, to recap, Chutney Masala, down by the river / train station!!

[compudds]

Here is a link to their web site http://www.eatatbollywoodbistro.com . The food is very good, the buffet for lunch is a great deal, tons of tasty food for $10. Worth giving a try.

[2busymom]

Had dinner at Bollywood Bistro a couple of weeks ago. It was okay. I still prefer Bengal Tiger, Mughal Palace, and Passage to India (in that order.)

[MisterBill2]

I had the lunch buffet at Bollywood Bistro last week with some co-workers, 3 of whom are Indian. We were not impressed with the buffet. First off, no hot appetizer, just some chick pea salad (which wasn't bad, but I expect Pakoras or similar). The best thing on the buffet was some sort of noodle dish, definitely not Indian. The Tandoori chicken was strangely tasteless. None of us plan to go back.

How's the buffet at India House in Montrose these days? I thought I had read/heard something good about it but my co-workers who I thought told me said it was not them, and I can't find it here. I might have to just go back to Mughal Palace in Valhalla, although I'm told that Malabar Hill in Elmsford is under new ownership and is actually good.

[GIOny]

check Solstice444 review above about 8 posts about the India House buffet.

[MisterBill2]

Oops, thanks! CH compresses posts you've already seen so I didn't notice it.

[MisterBill2]

Just had a disappointing lunch at Royal Palace. Buffet was not very interesting (mostly veggie, one chicken and one lamb). The Tandoori Chicken the put on the table was all legs. No dosas. Not nearly as good as I've had there in the past.

[Putnick]

I am so surprised I didn't see anyone mention The Bengal Tiger in White Plains--that is a total family favorite and the service/decor is excellent. We love Jaipore as well, especially the Sunday evening buffet. Lastly, Passage to India has great food--very complex and delicate flavors.

[Solstice444]

I went to Bollywood Bistro for the lunch buffet last week. The chicken dish was unlabeled, but it was in a sort of fruity, citrusy sauce. It wasn't bad. The sizzling tandoori chicken was good. The nan had alot of butter on it, which I wasn't a fan of. The lamb vindaloo was ok, not great in my opnion. The sauces were a bit watery. The samosas were my favorite part of the buffet. I was impressed with the price, considering that they include a soda or a glass of the house wine. Next time I will try it for dinner.

[Marge]

House wine? Is it no longer BYO??

[spa]

No, they got their liquor license a few months ago.

[marmite]

I went to their lunch buffet about a month ago. All the food was tasty. I had vegetarian only, my mother had vegetarian and meat dishes. One of the veggie dishes was so hot and spicy I couldn't finish it, and that's unusual for me. But the service was fine and the hostess (maybe she's also an owner?) was pleasant.
My favorite local Indian food remains India House in Montrose.

[foodielove]

i second India House, it's definitely my favorite in westchester.

[GIOny]

I third that, India House in Montrose is worth the trip!!

[Solstice444]

I just tried India House 2 nights ago, for the first time. I ordered the murgh mirchi masala since I adore spicy foods. It was great! The garlic nan was amazing; the best I've ever had. Good service. Will definitely go back! I plan to try the lunch buffet and see what kind of offerings they have for that.

[Solstice444]

Had the lunch buffet at India House today, and it was great! Beef vindaloo...yum! The beef was tender with no fat. It's always a nice surprise when Indian restaurants put a spicy dish in the buffet, since normally they seem to stick to milder dishes. They also had a delicious curried chicken dish, tandoori chicken, pakora, unfortunately I don't remember the name of the vegetable dishes, two desserts (sorry I don't remember the proper name, but the watery rice pudding type of dessert as well as the shredded carrot with spices dessert)...everything was delicious. Lunch buffet there is $10.95, and probably the best Indian lunch buffet in Westchester that I've been to.

[sunny4me]

Hi I tries it recently..the food is very good...limited vegetarian options in the packaged dinner option..nice atmosphere

[spa]

The food is indeed suprisingly good, and the menu has been revised recently to offer some new items (kati rolls...). It's a huge hit, very crowded most nights with a busy takeout business, too.

[Crispchip]

Can someone give the street address for the grocery place in Thornwood? I'd like to try it. Personally, I find favorites at each restaurant and just get those as takeout. I hit several places on the way home to make one great dinner. It's worth the extra driving.
Ambadi (White Plains): kati rolls
Malabar Hill (Elmsford): upma
Natraz (Nyack): paneer tikka masala
Now that is a perfect dinner. The only hard part is deciding where to get the bread!

[Solstice444]

The address for Westchester Groceries:

546 Commerce Street, in Thornwood.

[SLO]

Please go to Westchester Groceries ... can't vouch for how clean the kitchen is but the people are so nice and the food is quite good. Had some chicken tikka recently that was delicious.

[Foodlover100]

Mughal Palace is not one of my favorites , however everyone has their own choices . I have had a couple of bad meals there .I personally like Malabar Hill better than Mughal Palace . The thornwood grocery store is not clean at all and i guess that is what keeps me away from there

[Julia00]

Mughal Palace is good , but my personal choice is Bollywood Bistro . I also love Coramandel in Darien and Thali in New Cannan. Malabar Hill i agree has dropped in service and food , however they still have quite a few dishes which are good sepecially the appetizers

[SLO]

Thought your question was a good one. I do want to try Royal Palace and some of the others further down county. Tough as I'm trying to be good on a diet!

As I mentioned, my real problem with Bollywood Bistro was that the protein (meat, chicken shrimp) was so over tenderized it turned to mush and the wonderful Indian spices and flavors were nonexistent. Suburban Indian food for Americans at it's worst.

[Julia00]

Maybe you had a bad experience with Bollywood Bistro , however all my friends and my associates at work have been there quite a few times along with their family and have loved every bit of it . They are just great and Pleasantville loves them .We even had a catering for a small party done with them and everyone loved it .

[SLO]

I've tried it twice. BTW, my comment on the restaurant had absolutely nothing to do with Pleasantville .. curious comment ... "Pleasantville loves them"
I did find the people very personable and the space quite nice.

... That's what makes horse races!

[Foodlover100]

I agree with you Julia , I live in Westchester for the last 18 years and was referred to Bollywood Bistro by a friend . We loved it . The food is one of the best I've had . The service was excellent. They even have a beautiful store adjoining it and from the number of women i saw there i can just tell how much they love it . I wish them the very best and hope they keep up the good work .

[richard640]

RE: BOLLYWOOD-I haven't eaten there but I tend to believe you--cause MOST Indian restaurants --suburban or urban are God-awful--My wife is from Bombay--and Indian food is my favorite-so I am speaking as a long-time lover of Indian food--Indian restaurant food in the U.S. is pretty much standard--regardless whether the owner is from India, Pakistan or Bangladesh--the food available on any block in any Indian city is so different and so much better tasting than what's available here...that said, I think Mughal Palace in Valhalla and Royal Palace in Greenburg are 2 of the best restaurants in the U.S. for their price category and ambience-I'll probably try Bollywood anyway--actually, some Indian people I know who live in Pleasantville said it was pretty good. Malabar was outstanding--but when it changed hands it went down hill--but some people said it has improved--and they still do a big night business.

[SLO]

I haven't been back, but am very interested in knowing what you think, please post once you've tried it. Any recommendation in NYC that are good and don't use too much ghee?

Interesting (to me) that there was a somewhat contentious discussion about Bollywood Bistro previously and the two pro Bollywood Bistro posters had never posted before. One has never posted since and the other has only posted about Bollywood Bistro again on another thread on Indian food in Westchester. Just pointing it out for what it's worth.....

[HamTech87]

I'm one of those people who think Malabar Hill improved with the new owners. Food tasted fresher, especially the appetizers. If only my young children would warm to Indian food....

Need to try Royal Palace in Greenburgh, though. Never heard of it before until this board.

[CRAZYFOODLOVER]

ROYAL PALACE IS LIKE IF YOU HIT THE LOTTO ONE DAY YOU GO AND GET GOOD FOOD AND NEXT DAY IF YOU GO AND ORDER THE SAME FOOD IT IS TOTALLY A DIFFERENT TASTE , ITS A PIECE OF ? IN THE NAME OF INDIAN CURRIES AND FOOD , ANY WAY GOOD LUCK , AND DO LET US KNOW HOW WAS YOUR FOOD 1

[NickM]

I think we've exchanged posts on this restaurant elsewhere on this site, and I'm somewhat dismayed and baffled about your experience: I've only been there once so far, but there was no lack of interesting spices or flavors during our visit, which I described for you in my earlier posts on this subject. I certainly agree that many Indian restaurants in Westchester serve a homogenized,watered-down, and ultimately indifferent fare, and I also prefer a more complex and assertive approach to the cuisine. That's why, for example, I have been a fan of the Pakistani take-out at Westchester Groceries in Thornwood, which I would continue to recommend. (BTW, I used to be a fan of Jaipore as well, but I've been wary of late, because I've found it preparation has been inconsistent.) Maybe I should go back and try Bollywood Bistro again, and see what's going on.

[spa]

I would definitely urge people to try it again. Now that it's been open several months, things have settled down, and we've been very happy with the food there. It's prepared with care. There are several dishes on the menu that you don't see everywhere else (a cauliflower appetizer with a Chinese bent comes to mind), and the daily specials are often quite inventive. No one-sauce-fits-all approach, no gloppy unidentifiable curries.

No liquor license yet, either, so byob.

[SLO]

I will be happy to try it again ... I would love to have a good Indian restaurant near by. I'm also a big fan of supporting local business.

[SLO]

I haven't been back to Westchester Groceries since it has chanhed hands ... Is it still as good as it was before? Talk about complex flavors, it was excellent (and the price was right).

[SLO]

SOOOOO disappointed. Really wanted to like it. Thought it was pretty awful. I got a mixed tandori grill .. all of the food was tasteless. The chicken was mealy, awful mouth taste and absolutely no flavor. The shrimp was the same. Got a black lentil dish that was flavorless. Mixed grill, lentil, shrimp and a spinach nan ... $70
Will not go back any time soon

[MisterBill2]

Can you tell us which of the Indian places in the area you like?

[SLO]

That's somewhat of a tough call ... I like Mughal Palace and Jaipore, used to like Malabar Hill before it changed owners.
I like the little grocery store in Thornwood that has food to go, although I haven't been there since they'ce changed hands.

I haven't tried the ones down county but will ..
Also want to try Thali in New Canaan.

In NYC, I like Devi and Tamarind. I also like to wander around Jackson Heights and take my chances (Spicy Mina'a - NOT Jackson Diner which is awful) - although I haven't been in a while.

My all time favorite place (outside of India) is in London (unfortunately) and it's called Amaya

And you ... what are your "got-to" Indian restaurants?

[MisterBill2]

I really like the selection at Royal Palace in Greenburgh (and I think the food is very good), but I also really enjoy the food at Mughal Palace (although the selection is more limited). I never liked Malabar Hill -- I used to eat there fairly often before RP opened. I always felt like they treated you like garbage, cramming you in, and the lunch buffet selection wasn't very good. I have not been there since they changed hands.

BTW the reason for my question was I wanted to make sure that you weren't saying "another bad one, there are none that I like up here".

[Pinnacle]

Indian fast food. The flavors lack sophistication and the sauces most likely come from a can. It's eats on an emergency only basis.

[Julia00]

The name of the new place in Pleasantville is Bollywood Bistro . Their phone number is 914-747-4599.I was over there with my family and had a great meal . Their service is excellent and the kids had a great time too. I would highly recommend it

[MisterBill2]

Which Indian places in the area do you like?

[MisterBill2]

We ate at Passage to India when they first opened and while they had some interesting stuff (fried bananas, as I recall), overall the group I was with did not think the food was as good as other places in the area.

We (people I eat with from work) like Mughal Palace in Valhalla. The buffet selection is not that great, but the food is always excellent. I always like Royal Palace in Greenburgh (near the movie theater). They have a mega-buffet with all sorts of stuff including dosas.

I understand that the place in Pleasantville is very good but I have not eaten there (yet).

[Solstice444]

I just tried Mughal Palace last night. I asked if they could make the chicken (murgh) tikka masala spicy, to which they said yes, but it wasn't spicy at all when I was served. Aside from that, it was delicious. Creamy with a good flavor. Next time, though, I will try the vindaloo to ensure a spicy meal. The only other complaint I have is that they gave us a second basket of nan without even asking if we wanted another, and they charged us for it. I suppose we could've told them that we didn't want it once they placed it on the table. We did end up eating it...I just wished that they would've asked if we wanted another basket first, b/c we probably would've said no. :) Once it was there, we just had to eat it. A bit pricier than the other Indian places in the area, but worth it, I suppose.

[chocolate chick]

Bollywood Bistro
68 Wheeler Ave.
Pleasantville, NY
747-4599

Haven't tried it. Do a search in Chowhound, there have been postings already.

I love Passage To India in Mount Kisco. It has gotten mixed reviews. However 2 people I know of Indian descent both say it's very much like their father/mother's home cooking. I've had delicious meals there.