Seva Wows Again

Seva is one of my favorite restaurants in Astoria for many reasons--the food is delicious, the service is hospitable, the atmosphere is chill, it's super affordable and it's BYOB. I could go on all day. Instead, I'll tell you about some of the new dishes I tried to further entice you:

Butternut Squash Soup - A great way to start any meal, the butternut squash soup provided a hearty, comforting touch to our dinner. It was a seasonal soup for the fall, and I loved that it was spiced with nutmeg and plenty of cracked black pepper. Another plus is that it's vegan, making it a good option for those with special dietary needs.

Bok Choy Crispy Curls - I've never had bok choy fried before, but I could tell you that I'll have it again. Frying the bok choy in gram flour and mango powder made it crunchy and slightly sweet. Coupled with a cooling lemon, mint raita, it was a tasty and indulgent appetizer. I think it would be a great dish to get if you're new to Indian food, as it's mild and appeals to American tastes.

Apricot Lamb Curry - Yum! This was my entree and I highly recommend it. A touch on the spicy side with a sweet finish, it was flavored with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and dried apricots. I loved how the meat fell apart and the thick curry sauce on top made it feel like stew. Mopping up this meaty sauce with the fruit and nut naan was absolutely delightful.

Chicken Korma - Edgar ordered this and it was sweet and interesting, made with almond and cashew nut sauce, yogurt and coconut. It was the mildest of the dishes, dressed with slivered almonds--and it used one of my favorite culinary techniques, mixing sweet with savory.

Suji Halwa - Another vegan-friendly option, it was a dessert consisting of semolina, toasted almonds, and raisins. What I loved about it is that it was light on the stomach after a hearty meal, and the toasted almonds provided flavor continuity, tying it together with the rest of the dishes.

Service and Cost:
The service at Seva never disappoints. From the first warm greeting to the friendly conversation during the meal, it continues to be a place that I look forward to visiting. Dishes are brought out in good time and you never feel rushed with the check.

Costs remain incredibly low and we love taking advantage of the 3-course $12 dinner prix-fixe. Still a BYOB establishment, you could bring your own bottle or two and have a pleasant, inexpensive evening.

Seva - 30-07 34th street, Astoria, NY 11103
718.626.4440
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
www.sevaindianrestaurant.com