Best Indian Restaurant in Midtown East, New York City: Dawat

If you're looking for the best Indian restaurant to visit in Midtown East, New York, for whatever occasion, then an "invitation to feast," or Dawat, certainly is a place where you want to sit down for a meal. For many persons, and rightly so, it's the best Indian restaurant in Midtown East. In fact, not only doest it easily stack up with the best Indian restaurants throughout Manhattan, but one reviewer stated in New York magazine, he has ( paraphrasing ) "eaten at Indian restaurants around the world, including throughout India, and Dawat, in Midtown East, is easily one of the best Indian restaurants I've eaten at anywhere in the world."

What's so great about Dawat is what makes any restaurant great: its food, service, decor and atmosphere, and how you valued your visit.

Best Indian Restaurant in Midtown East, New York City: Dawat ( Food )

It's difficult for any restaurant to stay on top of its game, so to speak, when it comes to all of the things that make a restaurant as good as it can be. New York's best Dawat is no exception; however, expect a very good "feast" even if Dawat is experiencing a lull of sorts. As is true with so many things in life, you get what you pay for: and at Dawat the price is on the higher end, but then again, you were "invited to a feast."

Best Indian Restaurant in Midtown East, New York City: Dawat ( Service )

If there's one flaw with not only Dawat but many Indian restaurants it's the highs and lows of service. Somewhere between both American and Indian cultures is a disconnect, when it comes to the somewhat finicky service demands of Americans and how Indians perceive and respond or don't respond to those demands.

Nevertheless, Indians can be very willing to be of service, and with a little adult-like open communication, should something be amiss with your service, all can be made more than good.

Best Indian Restaurant in Midtown East, New York City: Dawat ( Decor and Atmosphere )

This is potentially another rather subjective area where a restaurant can be seen as excelling or lacking; but, isn't much of the restaurant business highly subject to personal opinion, anyway. Still, all things equal, the decor of Dawat is somewhat minimalist yet very apropos and unobtrusive to a fine dining evening. Even when exclusively compared to the far too many hokey dining rooms of other Indian restaurants, Dawat's conservative yet artistic approach to its decor is invitingly refreshing.

As for atmosphere, much of that depends on when you go, and whether the place is filled with people or not. Still, the dining room is adequately large, so as far as too much noise detracting from a pleasant atmosphere, that's hardly a factor.

Best Indian Restaurant in Midtown East, New York City: Dawat ( Overall Value )

In a word, well-done is how you could describe how you value your visit to Dawat. The food is plentiful and tasty. Even more so, Dawat sees itself as haute cuisine, which wasn't touched upon in the review. You should consider it haute cuisine, too. The service is par at the least, and more than expected if desired. The decor and atmosphere is befitting fine dining in an Indian establishment or any establishment for that matter. Finally, the price of it all keeps you satisfied as you leave.