New Delhi Diamond’s
By Katherine Rausch
Just around the corner from the bustle and noise of the Commons, on a quiet, isolated area of West Green Street, sits a restaurant that blends in with the deserted area. The entrance doors are hidden on each end, making it difficult to know where they are and even which way to enter. The appearance of New Delhi Diamond’s is not very appealing, but the food is worth it.
The atmosphere inside is a subtle cultural experience. Looking around, there are cloth pictures on the wall of Bali dancers and plants, but nothing stands out. Also, if there is a moment of silence, faint Indian music can be heard in the background. It is a nice touch, but the restaurant still feels bland and empty.
New Delhi Diamond’s offers northern Indian cuisine at a reasonable price. The chicken curry has spices and flavor that taste great with the rice they offer for every meal. The curry sauce is creamy, making it a bit of a heavy taste but good nonetheless. The spices in the curry sauce can be tasted with every bite.
Image by Amanda Wright
The chicken kadahi is mixed with vegetables, which the curry does not have. The broth has more of a stew consistency but still has a surprisingly good, spicy flavor.
Naan, Indian bread that is like pita bread but fluffy, is popular to order with meals. There are many flavors of naan to choose from at Diamond’s, such as garlic or coconut. It tastes great dipping the naan bread into the leftover sauce from the curry. Also, the mango juice is a good choice to order as a beverage instead of a typical soda.
Each meal is offered mild, medium or hot. For someone who loves Indian food but can’t handle too much spice, the mild curry was just right. The portion sizes are just enough for anybody who is really hungry; for everyone else there will always be leftovers.
The service at Diamond’s is good but not exceptional. The food came very quickly but the waitress did not come by very often to check on the meal.
A meal consisting of a dish and a beverage or a dish and naan will cost about $13 with tax and tip. The price may be more than a typical college student wants to pay, but the food is worth it.
Diamond’s may not have created the atmosphere of a fancy, high-end restaurant, but the dishes make up for this lack of decor. Once inside and eating the food, you forget about the lack of ambiance in the room. New Delhi Diamond’s is located at 106 West Green St. by the Tompkins County Public Library.
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Katherine Rausch is a senior journalism major. E-mail her at [email protected].