Chaat and chat

[Damian]

Not sure whether this belongs on this or the NY thread, but after "chatting" with Suvir, I thought it might be fun to get a group to go for chaat at Dimple Chaat House on a weekend afternoon for a quick bite of some Indian treats and to meet people who have kept the India thread alive and interesting.  What do others think?  When would be a good time to go?

[Suvir Saran]

Weekend afternoons are great in my book for Chaat.

I would love to be there.  Thanks for the idea Damian.

[anil]

We normally go to Dimple on Saturdays for Brunch - i.e noon-ish

Expect slow service, but really fresh stuff then because they are

rampingup.

[Suvir Saran]

Anil,

Would that mean you can come chat over chaat?

[Sandra Levine]

What date do you have in mind?

[Suvir Saran]

I think the date should be a consensus.

What do you all say?

[Degustation]

After reading all the favourable discussions re: Dimple, I have decided to try it during my visit to NY over the Memorial Day weekend. If anyone is available to join me on Sat. May 25 around noon, I would be delighted to have the company (and the opportunity to sample more things!   ).

If not, can all you seasoned Dimple diners recommend some must try dishes?

[Suvir Saran]

Dishes you would not find as easily across t he country and are good at Dimple:

Pav Bhaji

Kachauri Chaat

Sev Puri

Dahi Bataata Puri

Ragda Pattis

Khandvi

Then there are those dishes they make well:

Chana Bhaturas

Onion Uthappam

Try this as a dessert:

Dimple Royal Falooda (It is like an ice-cream Sundae)

PS:  Expect very humble if not unkempt settings.  This is not a place to go for style or chic... it is decent food, some dishes you would not find easily and a consistent place to get some good street food dishes.

[Degustation]

Suvir - thanks for the recommendations. Having grown up around Chinatown, I'm quite used to eating great food in humble surroundings - I know I'm there for the food, not for the chic scene. In fact I had decided to go to Dimple over Artisinal because it's that type of food I had the craving for.

[Suvir Saran]

Dimple over Artisinal?  Wow!

[Degustation]

Well, mind you, I also booked dinners at Gramercy Tavern, Fleur de Sel, and Bouley for lunch so I've got the other end of the spectrum covered too. But I do so enjoy eating good food in simple homecooking-type environments.

[Suvir Saran]

You will enjoy Dimple then. And if you have some more time .. and enjoy Middle Eastern foods; you may want to try Moustache at Bedford Street in West Village.

A great place to enjoy a slow meal cooked with great love and served similarly.

It gets very busy at night. The Mezze is excellent and the baby lamb ribs are some of the best in NYC. The Chicken Ouzi is also very good.

If you like Pita bread... wait till you try freshly made Pita.  Heaven on earth at every bite.  They are made to order.  Excellent.

The baklava is very nice.  Not too sweet.  Made at the restaurant.  The Basboussa (farina and honey cake) served with yogurt if you ask for, is excellent.  

Loomi ( a drink made from dry black limes) is a great refreshing drink.

The freshly squeezed orange juice takes me back to Djama El Fna in Marrakesh.

They have Ayran, a salty Lassi (yogurt based drink) that goes very well with this food.

[Suvir Saran]

May 25th Dimple Chaat House around noon may work for me.

Degustation.. I can see you there... If anyone else wants to join.. please let us know.

Damian.. would that work for you?

[Degustation]

Mmm - sounds right up my alley. I love fresh pita, and always prefered Middle eastern Baklava to the Greek variety. I used to work for two Lebanese brothers who would bring fresh batches of baklava to the office. Our Christmas parties were always held in their favorite Lebanese restaurant...along with belly dancers - hmm were we there for the food or the dancers.... we'll never know but the food was excellent.

Is Moustache open for lunch on Sunday? If not maybe I'll see if they're open on Monday and I can have something quick before I go to a show that night. Thanks for the great suggestion - too little time - so much good food..... :confused:

[Suvir Saran]

Moustache is open for lunch Sunday.

Go late.. and remember.. this is not a lunch place.

They open it for lunch for neighborhood die hard fans like me.

Not a scene at lunch time. But still as good.. in fact better in my book.. for it is not too crowded.

Monday lunch would be good as well.

If you like hot things.. ask them for Harissa (hot chilies in oil and with spices).  They make it in house.  It is the tastiest harissa I have had.

And you are right about Middle Eastern Baklava.  I much prefer it to the Greek one.  

Oriental Baker in Brooklyn is amazing for middle eastern sweets.  It is opposite Sahadis, the famous grocery store on Atlantic Avenue.

And did you read my post above?

I would be able to join you for lunch at Dimple on Saturday the 25th of May.  

Maybe others too can join us.

[Degustation]

Suvir, it would be an honour to meet you for lunch at Dimple and hopefully we can get others to join us as well. I was thinking that it would be great if you could be there because then I could sample some of those special chili peppers that you are so privileged to get.

I love harrissa - when I visited Tunisia with my boyfriend at the time, we always asked for harrissa and they would always be amazed at these foreigners who would polish off the stuff.

[Suvir Saran]

Then you must go to Moustache.

And yes I look forward to joinin you at Dimple.

And we will request Masooma to make us some of the hot chilies.

Any others joining us?

[Damian]

May 25 at noon should fit into my schedule as well, and I will certainly be looking forward to it!  Who else will join us?

[Sandra Levine]

I am looking forward to this.

[Suvir Saran]

Dimple Chaat, May 25th, 12 Noon

List of people confirmed:

Degustation

Damian

Sandra Levine & Husband

Suvir Saran

Please let me know as you check your calendars. I will add your name as and when you let me know.

Thanks.

[Sandra Levine]

What is Dimple's address?  My husband will be joining us, too.

[Suvir Saran]

Dimple

30th Street, between Broadway and 5th Avenues

North side of street

Look forward to seeing all that come.

[Simon Majumdar]

I can second the recommendation of Moustache.  Not least because the lady who runs it and its sister restaurant Mamlouk in the East Village is the mother of the very special person I mention in my review of Jo Jo's in " The Majumdar Brothers Do Dallas" on the General Boards.

I have had many wonderful meals at both places and both have a place of affection in my heart.

I am sorry I will not be able to join you at Dimple.  It is excellent.  Perhaps on my next visit in August

S

[Degustation]

Looking forward to this. I couldn't wait any longer and had to satisfy my craving last weekend. I went out for some pav bhaji, rasa vada, bhel, and rava masala dosa. Then I picked up a box of sweets - ghari, kala kand, kaji pista roll, badam burfi, mango burfi, chocolate burfi (out of curiousity - wouldn't have it again), and something that was like a dense doughnut with icing glaze.

Then I bought three cans of alphonso mango pulp for mango lassis , and a package of frozen ready-to-cook aloo palak (potato and spinach) stuffed parathas. They were surprisingly good - pop onto a hot pan, watch them puff up - eat- yum.

[Suvir Saran]

Will be at Dimple at 12 Noon.  Will have to leave no later than 12:45 Since I have to be in Upstate NY later for a lunch.

Look forward to meeting all of you.