Dhaba INDIAN cuisine

Business Hours
Y
E ONL Lunch
US
SITE 12.00am - 3.00pm
WEB (Monday - Saturday)
12.00pm - 4.00pm
(Sunday)
108 Lexington Avenue
(Between 27 & 28th Street) Dinner
New York, NY 10016 3.00pm - 11.00pm
(Monday - Thursday)
T. 212 679 1284 3.00pm - 12.00pm
T. 212 336 3567 (Friday - Saturday)
4.00pm - 11.00pm
F. 212 336 3568 (Sunday)

Dhaba’s offerings are nearly as good as when ordered a la

direct you toward conventional favorites like kebabs and
chicken masala.
February 4th 2009 Don’t give in. Start with paya soup, meaty goat trotters and
chewy tendons in an earthy ginger broth. Share an order of
In India, the Truck Stops Here tale huay caju, cashews flash-cooked with chilies and spices.
The slightly charred nuts are addictive, and just the right
By OLIVER SCHWANER-ALBRIGHT counterpart for a 20-ounce mug of Kingfisher lager.
It’s tempting to order too much from the opening pages, and
fill yourself with starters like lime and ginger chicken wings, or
chaats like dahi bhalla, lentil flour fritters with yogurt,
tamarind sauce and mint.
It’s worth it to save yourself for the main courses, such as the
achari gosht, lamb cooked in a rich sauce of ginger, garlic,
chilies, mustard seeds and other spices too numerous to
carte, and at $9.95 it’s one of the city’s great culinary bargains. www.FineIndianDining.com
A few misses are inevitable when a restaurant presents such
an exhaustive menu. The methi chicken was unremarkable, www.HighwayDhaba.com
and the Highway Dhaba, a mango lassi with champagne,
might be the worst drink ever mixed in New York. As for
dessert, a sweet tooth is better served elsewhere. But the lion’s
share of what I tasted at Dhaba was made with skill and care.
It was the case even with the British curries, something of an
inside joke, a reinvention of Commonwealth comfort food.
They might resonate if you grew up eating sweet and tangy PUNJAB DA KHANA
jalfrezi or the famously spicy phaal, a dish Bengali immigrants
Y CHAAT BAZAAR
invented in London.
SE ONL British Indian Curry House
TE U
These days phaal has a chest-thumping cult of chili-seekers,

In India dhabas are truck stops, roadside joints famous
for their vibrant meals (and convenient cots for napping
them off). The food at Dhaba is just as lively, but the
flavors are surprisingly complex and subtle, and the dining
room has less in common with a tin-roofed shack in India
than with a lounge of a boutique hotel.
This is the eighth restaurant for the owner, Shiva
Natarajan, and his third in Manhattan. At Dhaba, he
created a menu with more than 125 items, not including
the lunch specials. The cuisine tilts toward India’s north,
with a handful of southern dishes and British-style curries
to round it out. If you look lost, the waiters will gently
BSI
and at least one New York restaurants has turned finishing an
mention. So often the meat in a dish like this is an Fresh Kabobs and Bread
afterthought. But here the lamb was stewed until fork-tender WE
order into a dare. Dhaba’s lamb phaal was plenty hot, but it
wasn’t punitive. Actually it was quite tasty, and the lamb was
and its flavors were heightened by the seasonings, which were
so delectable that eating it was a pleasure, not a challenge.
mild enough to benefit from the heat of a chili onion naan.
The kadai goat was even more sumptuous. Thick slices of
FULL SERVICE BAR AND TAP BEER
meat still on the bone were served in a peppery sauce flavored BEST DISHES Tale huay caju (spicy sauteed cashews); paya
with fenugreek leaves. The herb had a hard-to-place flavor soup (goat trotter soup with ginger); chili onion naan; kadai
that reminded me of dried mint and nutmeg. There was a bhindi (spiced okra); achari gosht (curry lamb with spices); We Deliver and Cater
kadai goat (goat with garlic and bell peppers).
similar spicing in the kadai bhind, a platter of okra sauteed so We serve Halal meat
expertly that the vegetables still had their snap.
Dhaba, which opened in the fall, stands out on this cheap and
cheerful stretch of lower Lexington Avenue. It’s pricier than
most of its neighbors, but not by much. And at night it attracts
LUNCH BUFFET 9.95
an animated crowd, most of which seems to be on group dates. (Monday - Saturday)
It’s quieter during the day, when lunch buffets rule the SUNDAY BUFFET 12.95
neighborhood. Most food suffers in a chafing dish, but

SOUPS CHAAT BAZAAR

(Street side snacks from your mohallahs)
GOT LUNCH ? 9.00
MULLIGATAWNY 4 All Lunch Special served with rice, lentils (dal) and naan bread
Puree of lentils, lemon, ginger BHEL PORI 5
PAYA 6 Puffed rice, chaat masala, vatana, mint and tamarind chutnies 1. SAAG PANEER
Goat trotters broth, ginger, onions CHOLE BATURA 8 Home made paneer cheese, mild spinach puree
Punjabi chickpea masala, batura bread 2. ALOO MATAR
STARTERS BATATA SEV PORI
Stuffed pori bread, chaat masala, yogurt, two chutnies
6 Spiced potatoes, green peas, onions, tomatoes, cumin
3. KADAI BHINDI
PANI PORI 6 Sauteed okra, bell pepper, onions, tomatoes, fenugreek
ALOO GOBI SAMOSA 5
NLY
Stuffed pori bread, tamarind water, coriander 4. TAWA ALOO GOBI
Crisp turnovers, potatoes, cauliflower
E O AMRITSARI ALOO TIKKI CHAAT 6
E US
Round potatoes, cauliflower, onions, tawa masala
PANEER PAKORA 5
IT Potato patties, vatana, onions, yogurt, two chutnies 5. CHICKEN TIKKA
EBS fritters
Pudina Paneer
W PAV BHAJI 8 Skewered chicken thighs, Northern spices
ONION BHAJA 4 Buttered bread buns, mashed vegetables, coriander
Crispy onion fritters 6. CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA
PURANI DELHI KI PAPRI CHAAT 6 Roasted chicken tikka, creamy tomato sauce
MIRCH PAKORA 5 Crunchies, spiced potatoes, yogurt, two chutnies, chaat masala
Potatoes stuffed long green chili fritters 7. SAAG WALE MURGH
Roasted chicken tikka, mild spinach sauce
METHI PAKORA 5
Fresh fenugreek leaves fritters PARATHA DA GALLI 8. MURGH JALFREZI
(Served with Pickle and Raita) Chicken, onions, okra, ginger, spicy tangy flavor
KURKURI BHINDI 7
Crunchy okra, red onions, lime, chaat masala, chili powder 9. LAMB PASANDA
Lamb, fenugreek, raisin, creamy cashew sauce
KHATTE BAIGAN 7 ALOO PEA PARATHA 5
Tangy tamarind eggplant Leavened bread, spiced potatoes, peas 10. BHUNA LAMB MIRCHWALA
Spiced lamb, garlic, green chillies, tomatoes, fresh
GARLIC SPINACH 7 GOBHI PARATHA 5 coriander
Crispy spinach, peppercorns, soy sauce, cumin flavor Spiced cauliflower
PANEER CHILI PARATHA 5 11. DHABA SHRIMP CURRY
SHAM SAVERA 8 Home style shrimp curry, onions, tomatoes, spices
Steamed paneer cheese, spinach, creamy nutty sauce Green chilies, paneer cheese
METHI PARATHA 5 12. KADAI SHRIMP
AMRITSARI MACHI 8 Sauteed shrimp, onions, bell pepper, fenugreek,
Batter fried fish, red onions, lime Fresh fenugreek leaves
tomatoes
SHRIMP CHAT PATA 9 MOOLI PARATHA 5
*Take Out Only
NLY
Coriander, creamy tomato sauce, curry leaves, Spiced radish
mustard seeds, tangy flavor EO
TALE HUAY KAJU 4 DAALS (Lentils) SIT E US
Spiced cashews, black pepper, chaat masala WEB
RICE
LANGARWALI DAL 11
KABOB STARTERS Five dals, dry red chili, cumin, coriander
CHICKEN BIRYANI 15
DAL MAKHNI 11 Basmati rice, chicken on the bone, browned onions,
PANEER TAASH KABOB 9 Slow cooked creamy black lentils, onions, garlic bay leaf, mint
Skewered paneer cheese, peppercorns, bell peppers DHABA DAL FRY 11 LAMB BIRYANI 15
PAHADI CHICKEN KABOB 9 Yellow lentils, cumin, fresh coriander Basmati rice, brown onions, bay leaf, mint
Spicy chicken thighs grilled to perfection RAJMA 11 KEEMA PULAV 15
CHAPLI KABOB 8 Punjabi style kidney beans, tomatoes, fresh coriander, Spiced minced lamb, green peas, basmati rice
Spiced minced chicken ,onions, green cillies onions
GOAT BIRYANI 18
SHAMI KABOB 8 MAA KI DHAL 11 Basmati rice, goat on the bone, black cardamom,
Minced lamb patties Homestyle black lentils, ginger, lemon bay leaf, mint
TANDOORI ACHARI ALOO 7 VEGETABLE PANEER PULAV 13
Skewered spiced potatoes Basmati rice, cloves, onions, bay leaf, ghee
KALMI KABOB 8 METHI PULAV 13
Skewered chicken wings Vegetables, fenugreek leaves, basmati rice
A Must Try Spicy
CHICKEN VEGETARIAN TANDOOR BREADS
CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA 16 METHI SAAG 13 TANDOORI CHICKEN 13 NAAN 2
Roasted chicken breast, creamy tomato sauce Spinach, fenugreek leaves Skewered on the bone, northern spices Tandoor fired white flour bread
DAHIWALA MURGH 15 SAAG PANEER 13 CHICKEN TIKKA 15 ONION NAAN 3
Chicken tenders, coriander infused yogurt, Paneer cheese, spinach puree Skewered thighs with yogurt marinade, garlic GARLIC NAAN 3
brown onions, cardamom DAAL SAAG LAUKI 13 CHICKEN MALAI KABOB 15 CHILI ONION NAAN 3
CHICKEN KALI MIRCH 15 Lentils, spinach, bottle gourd Skewered tenders with creamy marinade, CHEESE / NUT NAAN 4
Chicken tenders, peppercorn infused creamy sauce SARSON KA SAAG 13 white pepper
SPICY HABERNARO NAAN 4
MURGH MAKHNI 15 YSpinach, mustard greens, ginger PUDINA CHICKEN KABOB 15
ONL BATURA (Two pieces) 4
USE
Roasted chicken strips, bell pepper, creamy BAIGAN DA BHARTA 13 Skewered tenders, mint, coriander
Deep fried white flour bread
tomato sauce
SIT 14 E Pureed eggplant, onions, tomatoes, ginger ACHARI CHICKEN TIKKA 15
WEB
METHI CHICKEN POORI 3
DAHI BINDI 14 Skewered thighs, pickling spices
Chicken dark meat, green fenugreek leaves, light cream Deep fried whole wheat bread
Okra, crispy onions, yogurt, coriander, cumin ADRAK KI CHAAMP 22 MAKKI DA ROTI (Two pieces) 4
CHICKEN BHARTA 15 PUNJABI KADHI 14 Skewered lamb chops, nutmeg, ginger
Minced chicken, smoked eggplant, roasted spices Pan grilled corn bread
Tangy yogurt sauce, cumin, methi fritters SEEKH KABOB 15 MISSI ROTI (Two pieces) 4
PUNJAB DA MURGH CURRY 14 Skewered minced lamb, freshly ground spices
Chicken on the bone, home style curry Pan grilled chickpea flour, white flour, cumin,
METHI SALMON 16 fenugreek
JEERA CHICKEN 14
Cumin infused chicken curry on the bone VEGAN Grilled salmon, green fenugreek leaves, ginger
ROOMALI 4
(In these dishes, we don’t use yogurt or cream) JHINGA MALAI KABOB 18 Paper thin bread
EGG ALOO CURRY 12 Skewered shrimp, creamy marinade, ajwain
Boiled eggs, potatoes, chilly infused dhaba curry PLAIN PARATHA 3
TAMATAR MAKAI CHILI BHARTA 11 TANDOORI MEDLEY 18 Tandoor fired multi layered bread
Pureed tomatoes, kernel corn, green chilies, A mélange of our favorite kabobs
TANDOORI ROTI 3
cumin, jaggery Whole wheat bread
LAMB AND GOAT JEERA ALOO 10
We use baby goat on the bone and Australian
boneless lamb (not mutton)
Spiced cumin potatoes, fresh coriander PANEER (Home made cheese)
METHI ALOO 10 LASSI
Spiced potatoes, methi leaves KADAI MIRCH PANEER 15 (Freshly prepared yogurt drink)
BHUNA LAMB MIRCHWALA 15 ALOO MATTAR 11 Paneer cheese, green chilies, onions, tomatoes,
Thick onion tomato sauce, garlic, garam masala, Potatoes, green peas, onions, tomatoes, cumin kasoori methi
green chilies SWEET OR SALT LASSI 4.5
PUNJAB DA LAUKI MASALA 11 PANEER KALI MIRCHI 15 Refreshing yogurt drink
PUDINE WALA KEEMA 15 Bottle gourd, lentils, onions, ginger, tomatoes Paneer cheese, black pepper, creamy sauce
Minced lamb, mint, green peas, fennel, onions, PEDA LASSI 4.5
CHOLE AMRITSARI 13 PUNJABI PANEER BHURJI 15 Indian sweet peda in lassi
boiled egg white Punjabi style chickpeas, tamarind, onions, Grated cheese, onions, tomatoes, garam masala
GOAT ROGAN JOSH 18 PATIALA ROSE LASSI 4.5
coriander METHI MATTAR MALAI 14
Home style curry, tomatoes, yogurt, garam masala A favorite from Punjab
KADAI BHINDI 13 Paneer cheese, green peas, fenugreek,
MANGO LASSI 4.5
ACHARI GOSHT 15 Okra, bell peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes creamy tomato sauce
Pickling spices, fresh coriander, onion seeds kasoori methi PANEER MAKHNIE ON
LY 15
Mango flavored yogurt
LAMB CHOP PEPPER FRY 18 TAWA ALOO GOBI 13 E U S CHAAS 4.5
I T
Paneer cheese, coriander, creamy tomato sauce
EBS KOFTA
Tossed lamb chops, potatoes, pepper infused Salted yogurt, cumin, fresh coriander
Potatoes, cauliflower, onions, tomatoes,
tomato sauce tawa masala
WMALAI 14
Vegetable balls, raisins, creamy almond sauce
ALOO DUM 13 FRESH LEMON SODA 3
NAVRATAN KORMA 14 Freshly squeezed lemon with salt and sugar
Potatoes, onions, bay leaf, cumin, tomatoes Fresh vegetables, paneer, pineapple, nuts,
SEAFOOD creamy almond sauce ALL SODAS 3
MASALA CHAI 2
DHABA SHRIMP CURRY 17 COFFEE / TEA 2
Home-style curry, onions, tomatoes, freshly ground SIDES VOSS WATER 4
spices
SHRIMP MALAI CURRY 17 BOONDI RAITA 3
Yogurt, besan, crunchies, cumin
Creamy tomato sauce, fennel, bay leaf, green chilies
MANGO CHUTNEY 2
DESSERTS
GOAN FISH CURRY 15
Coconut, tomatoes, dry red chilies, malt vinegar A sweet relish
TAWE KA GULAB JAMUN 4
METHI MACHI 15 PAPAD 1 Fried milk balls, cardamom flavored sugar syrup
Fenugreek leaves, coriander, ginger, bay leaf First order complimentary

Dhaba
GAJJAR KA HALWA 4
SARSON WALI MACHI 16 SHALGAM AND GAJJAR ACHAR 2 Grated carrots, pistachios, khoya
Fish in mustard greens and spinach Spicy pickle, carrots, turnips
PUNJABI KHEER 5
GREEN SALAD 3 Cardamon flavored rice pudding, raisins, almonds
Lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, red onions,
KULFI FALOODA 6
lemon, vinegar INDIAN cuisine Home made pistachio ice cream, cardamom
JALEBI AND GARAM DHOOD 7
Fried flour pinwheels soaked in sugar syrup,
FOOD ALLERGY? If you have a food allergy, please inform your server, served with hot milk
RASMALAI 5
A Must Try Spicy
chef, manager or owner. Cheese balls in reduced sweet milk, pistachios

EO NLY
E US
BSIT
WEBRITISH CURRY HOUSE:
London Calling INDO CHINESE CORNER
Modeled after dishes that are popular on the other side of the pond, Where “Curry” has become
more of a staple than a fancy. These curries have a unique Anglo-Indian flavor.
Curry is traditionally a term that is non-existent in the Indian Culinary landscape. Generalized by STARTERS
the British in Colonial India to mean anything with “spicy gravy”
SWEET CORN SOUP 4
Dry red chillies, garlic, soy ginger flavor
Meats, vegetables and shrimp can be customized with a selection of curries from below
GOBI MANCHURIAN 7
Tossed cauliflower, onions, bell pepper, tangy flavor
CHICKEN (Dark Meat) 14 CHICKEN (On the bone) 14 GOAT 18
GARLIC SPINACH 7
VEGETABLES 14 CHICKEN (White meat) 15 LAMB 16 SHRIMP 18 Peppercorn infused crispy spinach
CHICKEN LOLLYPOP 8
BALTI MADRAS Pulled back spicy chicken wings
A simple stir fried curry prepared in a karahi A hot simple curry with coconut, dry red chilies
(wok) with bell peppers, mushrooms, onions and curry leaves
and tomatoes BALCHAO
MAIN COURSE EO NLY
KORMA E US
A tangy curry from Goa with Mustard seeds,
IT
A mild creamy curry with cashew nuts, raisins curry leaves and black pepper
W
DHABA CHILI CHICKEN
EBS 14
and fenugreek BHUNA Onions ,bell pepper, green chillies ,soy garlic flavor
DO PIAZA A well spiced curry with a thick sauce
VEGETABLE MANCHURIAN 12
Do Piaza means double the onions. First the PHAAL Tangy vegetable balls, soy ginger flavor
onions are pureed in a sauce and then large A very spicy curry with green chilies, tomatoes PANEER DANIA CHILI 15
slices are stir fried in the gravy and ginger Paneer cheese, scallions, vinegar, soy green chilli flavor
JALFREZI SAAG HOT GARLIC SHRIMP 17
A stir fried curry prepared with green chilies, Spinach puree,light cream,roasted spices Wok tossed, scallions, red chillies, coriander
onions and tangy flavor KADAI CHILI FISH 17
Batter fried fish, scallions, ginger chili flavor
VINDALOO Tossed with onions,bell pepper,fenugreek and
A very very hot curry cooked with dry red chilies,
VEGETABLE FRIED RICE 11
fresh coriander Tossed basmati rice, onions, scallions,s oy ginger flavor
vinegar and potatoes ACHARI MANCHURIAN FRIED RICE 12
A spicy curry with pickling spices Tossed basmati rice, vegetable balls

(We also have on the menu the famous chicken tikka masala, biryanis, kadhai dishes and onion bhaja)

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