Baluchi's, Indian restaurant in Tribeca, NYC, New York

I love Baluchi's and was really sad to see its Midtown West location closed few years back, replaced by another Indian place called Benares, that was not as good. On top of that, they had this great deal for lunch: 50% discount! But, it is a chain, so it is not as if it was a desperate situation and so, we decided to go back at their location in Tribeca on a Friday night. It is a big place, with a beautiful decor that transports you miles away.

After we ordered, their bought us some papadum (sort of cracker), as well as some sauces: mint and cilantro, as well as a tamarind sauce that was deliciously sweet and thick.

These sauces were perfect with the pakora that we ordered for appetizer.

Pakora at Baluchi's, Indian restaurant in Tribeca, NYC, New York — Pakora at Baluchi's, Indian restaurant in Tribeca, NYC, New York

The pakora were nice and crispy, not greasy, but I wished there was more variety in term of vegetables.

For her main dish, Jodi ordered the saag paneer, or cottage cheese with spinach.

Saag paneer at Baluchi's, Indian restaurant in Tribeca, NYC, New York — Saag paneer at Baluchi's, Indian restaurant in Tribeca, NYC, New York

I admit that I did not really like it, although know that I am not a big fan of spinach...

On my side, I ordered the crab curry.

Crab curry at Baluchi's, Indian restaurant in Tribeca, NYC, New York — Crab curry at Baluchi's, Indian restaurant in Tribeca, NYC, New York

I hesitated between that dish, their tandoori combination platter and the chicken tikka masala. But the crab curry at Baluchi's is so good, that I could not resist and was not disappointed. Normally, it is spicy, because of the chillies in the dish, but I asked them to make it not spicy and, although there was a subtle kick, they did a good job. I ate my crab curry with a fantastic cheese naan that was freshly made and had a nice char.

Cheese naan at Baluchi's, Indian restaurant in Tribeca, NYC, New York — Cheese naan at Baluchi's, Indian restaurant in Tribeca, NYC, New York

Rather than eating it with the pulao rice that came with our dishes. Not that the rice was not good, but I noticed my Indian friends eat it this way...

Pulao rice at Baluchi's, Indian restaurant in Tribeca, NYC, New York — Pulao rice at Baluchi's, Indian restaurant in Tribeca, NYC, New York

I should mention that with my meal, I drank a sweet lassi that was just ok for my taste.

Of course, we could not leave without dessert and, not surprisingly, we went for the gulab jamun, these milk based balls that are deep fried and then soaked in a sugar syrup.

This was a great way to end that dinner: the gulab jamun were perfectly made and deliciously sweet. Would I go back to Baluchi's? Hell, yeah!

Enjoy (I did)!

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I Just Want To Eat!