Between 46th and 47th streets, right next to the Roundabout Theatre Company’s Laura Pels Theatre – is the ground floor entrance to Utsav. A welcoming entrance, giving way to a full bar and a small seating space for evening bar patrons. While upstairs, the floor to ceiling windows offer elevated views of an attractive, open plaza of trees, bushes and globe lights in the heart of the theatre district.
The wait staff is attentive but unobtrusive, the wine list is small but well assembled, and the cuisine, prepared by Chef Rahul Ghosh takes its influences from several regions of India. The menu maintains an eclectic feel while having some great stand out dishes such as Baghera Jhinga (A sauteed shrimp with curry, mustard seed and red chilies in coconut sauce) and the kahori kabab (tender, vibrantly flavored, grilled ground lamb.) If you want an assortment dish there are plenty of options including the Tandoori Mixed Grill and the vegetarian assortment of samosa, as well as veggies, kali dal, pickles, raita, and poori – the Traditional Thali.
There are also several specialty menus that are inviting for the novice in ethnic eating including “Lunch-to-Go” starting at an amazing $7.95 and an expansive noon to 3:00 lunch buffet for just $18. Their best specialty menu may be the three course prix-fixe dinner; which is a great choice not only for the variety built into it but also for the amount of cuisine served for $30. The “Broadway Special” as it’s aptly named, is served 5:30 – 7:30pm daily and is perfect for pre-theatre dining. But, if you’re more of a night owl or just saved your appetite for after the show – not to worry, the same menu is also available for post theatre dining from 10:30 – 11:30pm for $25.
If you decide to peruse the prix-fixe menu try the Samosa (stuffed Indian pastry) is a great choice of appetizer, savory with a bit of spice. From there, the Lamb Pasanda, which is tender, and served in a flavorful, tangy sauce, without being overpowering or soupy. For vegetarians I’d recommend the mixed vegetable curry or the Baigan Bhurta (a roasted eggplant puree with onions and a wonderful spiced up kick.)
The best part of the prix-fixe at Utsav is that it comes with: mint and tamarind sauces, vegetable of the day, kali dal lentils, rice, and nan, all for no extra charge.
The dessert choices are all winners depending mostly on the diner’s mood and choice of after dinner drink – a silky mango mousse or the gulab jamun (a flour dumpling in sugar and honey) go nicely with a light, crisp tea; whereas the Kheer (rice pudding) or Kulfi (a rich, icy, Indian ice cream) are better paired with coffee.
So whether it’s before your Broadway experience, after, at lunch, or dinner sans theatre; Utsav has the versatility of cuisine and a variety of specialty menus guaranteed to please any crowd.
1185 Sixth Ave. (enter 46 St. btw. 6-7 Aves.), 212-575-2525; www.utsavny.com
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