With a revolving door of southeast Asian restaurants popping up around the city, another Indian joint is typically met with a wary sigh. It's true that eating out in New York requires a robust sense of skepticism and an iron gut, but diners that pass up a visit to Seva's out of the way storefront on 34th St. and 30th Avenue are missing out on a truly delicious experience. The site of a different Indian restaurant that has since met its demise, Seva's current incarnation of its native cuisine is lovingly crafted by the owner/chef/waiter. Exceedingly gracious and invested in his patrons' dining experiences, the chef's skill with seasoning is seen throughout the menu and smelled in the rich aromas that waft from its downstairs kitchen.The green chile chicken is his own creation and strikes a creamy, pungent note with its kick of spice and, inexplicably, faint traces of Mexican mole. The chicken Korma is a beautifully prepared example of creative simplicity. Served in a humble bowl and a sprinkling of almond slivers on top, the dish is pared down and liberated from the heavy curry consistency that plagues most Korma attempts. Instead, only the most basic flavors remain but in concentrated form, like a distillation of cashew and coconut. Supple basmati rice accompanies all entrees and is served in abundance.
Seva's menu also caters to vegans and indicates which dishes qualify. In this vein, the butternut squash soup is tasty and brimming with a peppery jolt in every spoonful. The prices are truly low and make receiving the check a surprisingly painless affair. With a name meaning "an act of selfless service," Seva has done us all a favor by setting up shop in Astoria.
INFO:
Seva Indian Restaurant
30-07 34th St.
(718) 626.4440
Official Website
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4 comments:
Love their Chicken Tikka Masala--best I've ever had (including in India). Never eaten IN the restaurant, always order delivery, but it comes fresh and warm. They also have a "Delivery Special" that includes an appetizer, entree, and dessert for $11. Mmmmm
yay! i'm so glad you reviewed seva! jason and i love it and the owner always remembers us which is so nice. the chicken korma is my dish of choice and the chicken tikka masala is jason's. we agree it's better than any indian food we've had in the city or elsewhere.
yummm!
Oh yay--I like Seva, and more than anything am just relieved that Astoria has a decent Indian option. Bangla Garden on 36th Ave. is okay too--but until Seva came along I usually just hiked it out to Jackson Heights.
Nice to meet another Astoria food blogger! I just joined Why Leave Astoria and the webmaster pointed me toward this site. Dine on!
yeah... I don't like Indian food. But I daydream about Seva. I would actually recommend it especially to people who are not crazy about Indian food usually. Seva is an eye-opening experience. "Oh, thats what its supposed to taste like."
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