George M.
Yelp
First, call the FDNY, my mouth is on fire. Second, Wow!!!
I've been patronizing Seva since it opened at their previous location. They've been consistently good. Then yesterday happened and they somehow propelled to greatness. And by great, I mean, Michelin star eligible (at least in my book).
It is important to note that I wasn't very hungry, but my former munchkin was "starving". She picked Seva for lunch after her "intense" regent exam. We arrived early and ordered the usual off the lunch menu. She started with her favorite butternut squash soup and followed it with chicken tika masala. I also ordered from the lunch menu, and I selected the chicken samosa as a starter (which I shared with by brat) and the chicken vindaloo as my main.
Both the soup and the samosa arrived promptly. I observed several differences from prior visits. The soup was well emulsified and hot. My samosa had a gleaming golden shine that reflected its crispy skin. It was placed in the middle of plate surrounded by a ring mint sauce and a second ring of tamarind sauce. "A" grade for presentation and freshness, I thought to myself. The rest of my experience is mired within a euphoric gastronomical narcotic-esque induced blur. Here's all that remains of my recollection:
Both the tika masala and vindaloo were cooked to perfection. Indian food, when executed correctly, is an alchemy consisting of spices and rustic ingredients metamorphosizing into a delicate, refined balance of the four elements that titillate all the senses. I've only experienced this before in an established London eatery at at two of Manhattan's renowned Indian restaurants. I most certainly did not expect to find such well executed cuisine at a neighborhood curry joint.
"Sir" commanded the waiter. "The vindaloo is very spicy". I arrogantly bragged that "I eat raw jolokia peppers for fun (aka 'Ghost Chilis' with an SHU rating of over 1,000,000). Then my dish arrived and soon afterwards followed the pain. I don't eat spicy food to be uncomfortable. I've learned to tolerate spicy food because I enjoy the flavor. This was different. Yet despite the intense and lingering pain, somewhere loitering in the background, was sensational flavor as a reward for tolerating the pain. (The trials and tribulations that we foodies endure for exceptional flavor?). My mouth was, and continuous to be, on fire...
Velvety elegant with a hint of heat, is how I would describe the tika masala sauce. Both dishes were laden with breast-meat chicken and potatoes and tasted too good to worry about the semi-dry meat.
The staff was eager to please its patrons, pleasant and prompt. While I can't comprehend the recent evolution of their offerings, let us thank Annapurna, for the blessings bestowed upon Seva.