I enjoyed my dinner here. It's true that there are cheaper, more casual Indian places close by, but the dishes here are a bit different. And the atmosphere is fun and modern. It's cheaper than the upscale Indian in the City (Junoon, for example) and the food is just as good. Portions are reasonable, and you can, if you order carefully, not break the bank. I'm with you Pete!
Really, Pete? In a city full of delicious Indian food Pondicheri gets TWO stars?
Beyond disappointing as a whole. Servers misidentified cinnamon as cardamom after checking with the manager, food came out cold, drinks came out with the main courses instead of appetizer in a mostly empty restaurant on a Saturday night. It's an inventive menu and a concept NYC needs, but the execution is terrible. I'm shocked this got 2 stars from the NYT.
Beyond disappointing as a whole. Servers misidentified cinnamon as cardamom after checking with the manager, food came out cold, drinks came out with the main courses instead of appetizer in a mostly empty restaurant on a Saturday night. It's an inventive menu and a concept NYC needs, but the execution is terrible. I'm shocked this got 2 stars from the NYT.
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took some friends there on the basis of this review and found myself yet again mislead by a glowing Pete Wells review. The fact that the place was nearly empty on a Saturday night was a bad sign and shows that most New Yorkers have the good sense not to read such reviews. The food took forever to arrive and when it did, was pretty tasteless. so many good indian places a few blocks away in Curry Hill. half the price.
I went for lunch, and I found the food very blah. The best dish was the side of curly fries. Inday, 1 block away has much better and less expensive Indian food. We did not try any of the pastry or breakfast dishes. I heard from a friend that the breakfast is quite good. Maybe that is why this restaurant was awarded 2 stars.
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The Danes also went to Puducherry.
Please open a branch here in Toronto!
What a disappointment after such a glowing review! Dried out quail. Tasteless Lamb Rojan Josh. Food without distinction. Memorable only for the high prices. (The lamb dish was $62.) Certainly not worthy of two stars in the New York Times. Maybe best for breakfast? (If so, review should have made that clear.)
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Can't wait to eat here. But I believe in delicious proletarian food, which you can get from so many hole-in-the-wall Indian and Pakistani food joints in Manhattan. The place where cab drivers eat- is the real food.
However, we are in the let-them-eat-cake zeitgeist, so this place will definitely thrive.
However, we are in the let-them-eat-cake zeitgeist, so this place will definitely thrive.
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Funnest writer for the NYT award goes to Pete Wells, I am proud to share your initials mon.
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I thought it was intriguing, until I clicked on the restaurant's website and looked at the menu and prices. Sure, it's cheaper than a fancy Italian restaurant or Peter Luger's, but far pricier than a typical Indian restaurant.
I agree with one commenter's remark about hipsters. That's reflected by their shameless use of the word "Namaste" on their website, while they simultaneously serve dead animals.
Strange world we're headed towards, when a place like this is deemed $$ (moderate). Then again we've all read Pete Wells' articles on the expensive joints.
While I have misgivings on many of the places he reviews, and lack the funds to eat at many of them, he's far and away the best food writer around.
Despite my misgivings of the restaurants he
I agree with one commenter's remark about hipsters. That's reflected by their shameless use of the word "Namaste" on their website, while they simultaneously serve dead animals.
Strange world we're headed towards, when a place like this is deemed $$ (moderate). Then again we've all read Pete Wells' articles on the expensive joints.
While I have misgivings on many of the places he reviews, and lack the funds to eat at many of them, he's far and away the best food writer around.
Despite my misgivings of the restaurants he
5
I can get so much better Indian food just a few blocks away on Lexington, and it is much cheaper. Portions on Lexington are generous; portions here, at least for breakfast, are very skimpy. However, if you are desperate for vaguely Indian food for breakfast, you cannot get it on Lexington.
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A restaurant reviewer/critic who does not name places seems a bit odd.
Sounds delicious....hope they come to DC next!
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"tangy, tamarind-marinated quail, with a pine-nut stuffing"
That makes my mouth water uncontrollably. Dang it, Pete, why do I torture myself reading your delicious reviews?
That makes my mouth water uncontrollably. Dang it, Pete, why do I torture myself reading your delicious reviews?
The restaurant in Houston is very good (no bugs under the table), and there is a bakery upstairs.
Thank You, Dennis, for looking out for all of us.
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The restaurant that reviewed is not the same Pondicheri I had breakfast at in late August. (To be fair, they had not officially opened.) I ordered the masala eggs, which Pete liked and which were described on the menu as coming with onions, peppers and spices. What I received was eggs with corn and spinach, which I did not mind, but there was no flavoring at all. The spinach had not been properly washed, and the whole thing was very gritty. Also, the dish was described on the menu as being made from "three eggs," but they must have been very tiny eggs. The carrot paratha was good.
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Oh how I miss Houston!!!!
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Makes me want to move to Manhattan! Not really , but there is only ONE Indian restaurant on Cape Cod!
You must mean Move back to Manhattan . Btw there are 2 Indian restaurants on Cape Cod. Hyannis and Falmouth.
Pete, What is meant by "a smart selection of well-priced wines?" The on-line wine list shows very few bottles for under $50. I realize I live in a different part of the country where prices are more reasonable, but what is considered "well-priced" by NYC standards?
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Sorry Pete, I disagree with your rating. My experience at Pondicheri is that it's dumbed down Indian food, i.e. it turns down the spices to accommodate less adventurous palates. And they've hired only hipsters, which means that you also get the barely hidden exasperation and vibe that you the customer is not worthy to give them your money. I had the thali (sampler plate, if you will) and it was utterly mediocre except for the bread. There's a couple dozen Indian places that deliver better food and service in their lunch buffets within a 15 minute walk.
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Two stars seems a bit low given the review.
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"(Pete Wells' friend) is highly sensitive to pretension and unjustified expense,"
I'm not. Take me next time!
I'm not. Take me next time!
5
Pondicheri (aka Pondicherry) is the name of a city in Southeast India that was, for a very long time, occupied by the French and which retains something of a Gallic influence in its cuisine as well as its street-signs, architecture and so on. The dishes noted in this review would appear to have no such gastronomic influence at all. For what reason does the restaurant carry this name?
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Interesting question. I looked it up on their website, and the FAQs state that the named the restaurant as such because they liked the sound of the word - not because the food or chef was from there.
At least, they get full marks for honesty...
That said, I did go through the press reviews (for Houston), pictures, and menu, and the food looks really intriguing. Also, having a bake shop selling cookies and cake, and an all day menu that highlights the uniqueness of Indian breakfast sets them apart from the existing NYC Indian restaurants. You do see a breakfast focus at acclaimed Indian restaurants in London (e.g. Dishoom), but not here.
At least, they get full marks for honesty...
That said, I did go through the press reviews (for Houston), pictures, and menu, and the food looks really intriguing. Also, having a bake shop selling cookies and cake, and an all day menu that highlights the uniqueness of Indian breakfast sets them apart from the existing NYC Indian restaurants. You do see a breakfast focus at acclaimed Indian restaurants in London (e.g. Dishoom), but not here.
5
Why shouldn't it carry the name? The town was Puducherry before it was colonized. I'm sure it had a a thriving cuisine before the French came in. By your statements then, an Indian restauranteur can only name his/her restaurants after post-colonial Indian towns if and only the menu reflects its colonial history?
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@Patrician: Thanks for that info.
@reader: I'm not suggesting that Indian (or any other) restaurants should have to focus on fusion cuisine containing influences from the nations that have colonized them. The thing is that, in NYC at least, there is no shortage of Indian dining establishments. It might be interesting to have at least one such place that does reflect the French colonial influence in the Puducherry region. Barring that the nomenclature here is a bit misleading.
@reader: I'm not suggesting that Indian (or any other) restaurants should have to focus on fusion cuisine containing influences from the nations that have colonized them. The thing is that, in NYC at least, there is no shortage of Indian dining establishments. It might be interesting to have at least one such place that does reflect the French colonial influence in the Puducherry region. Barring that the nomenclature here is a bit misleading.
2
It sounds to me as though you better keep the Prilosec handy if you plan on eating here often.
1
My mouth is watering over the food in the photos!
8
Food was solid, but it took forever (with very few other customers in the restaurant) and my girlfriend came away with bug bites from under the table.
4
Pete's writing is so charming I would read him reviewing the phone book. Thanks, Pete.
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