We continue to look at a few of the items on this month's CB3/SLA committee meeting... here's some bad news for fans of the always reliable Banjara, the Indian restaurant on First Avenue and East Sixth Street... according to paperwork (PDF!) filed ahead of next Monday's meeting, an Italian restaurant called Figaro Bistro Grill is taking over the space.
It's from the same owner as La Pasta Bistro Grill on MacDougal ... and the same owner currently has a Figaro Bistro Grill on Second Avenue between 50th and 51st...
Obviously this is the fault of the bike lane that's right there. Takes away two parking spaces! That's what did in Mara's Homemade a few years ago! THANKS BLOOMBERG
ReplyDelete(note: this is an ironic post, mostly mocking Mara's owners once again because, well, seriously guys that was a dopey thing to say.)
*Another* friggin' "bistro grill"? Christ, they're turning into restaurant equivalent of fro-yo shops!
ReplyDeleteWe were there a month or so ago and the Banjara folks were saying they were moving to 2nd Ave - into the space that was previously another Indian restaurant (forget the name) - also between 5th and 6th on east side of the Ave.
ReplyDeleteI hope that really happens, because, as you say, Banjara was always reliable - although the one time I ordered delivery from them it was terrible.
Thanks anon... that's good to know... I've ordered delivery from them a few times — always been consistently good.
ReplyDeleteOh, they are not moving into the Haveli space, are they? I called Haveli last week and was told they were closed for renovations, I wonder if that is because Banjara is going in there instead? Haveli is #1 in my book, and if they go out that will suck.
ReplyDeleteDamn, I really liked Banjara.
ReplyDeleteBanjara was dependable, but far from excellent food. Honestly, the 6th street Indian joints leave a lot to be desired. I prefer Malai Marke.
ReplyDeleteIndian row is slowly slipping away. Make way for more upscale eateries, especially if a certain celebrity decides to descend on this block.
ReplyDeleteBanjara's very good (even if my order of basmati once came with a conspicuous side of insect protein, and even if after all these years they haven't found a source for containers that don't melt or bust open in transit), but their price point isn't quite far enough below the high-end Curry Row places that I'll bother. If I'm gonna go into debt for a curry binge, might as well be Brick Lane, which at this point is an annual indulgence. Malai Marke is in the same boat -- a cut above the chili-lighted mob but as pricey as anything. But hey, that's why I taught myself to make world class butter chickens and saag paneers. As long as Dual Specialty doesn't close, hey, bring on the bro-bistros!
ReplyDeleteHaveli is the only one of the lot that I like. Oh, and the two on First Avenue with all the lights. But I only like them because of the lights.
ReplyDeleteI never understood why so many people love Banjara. It's no better than any of the other crappy faux Indian places all over the place. I hope you all get to visit India someday…
ReplyDeleteAgreed on Dual. They'll tear that place from my cold, dead hands.
Sad. Banjara's owners and workers were very nice and they made my son his first Shirley Temple. Their food, yes, was spotty but some things they did quite well and overall, considering the price and the pleasant atmosphere, I always thought of them as an underappreciated EV restaurant.
ReplyDeleteAh...the lights, the lights! RIP Rose of India, which could make even the most banal date seem like a magical train trip...
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ReplyDeleteMaybe they meant the old Baluchi's space on 2nd?
judging from my order tonight from Haveli, Banjara is now doing business as Haveli. Ordered from Haveli, delivery from Banjara. The guy answering the phone said they were the same chef and kitchen although the food quality, and actually the color of the chicken, were entirely different.
ReplyDeleteaha! this explains a lot. i order from Haveli frequently, and lately noticed some dishses were kind of different. the dosa was significantly different, as well as some of the other details (inconsistent inclusion of the cabbage/dal sides; no more papadom for free with your condiments - this has been going on for a while).
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