Upscale and quietly elegant, Dawat is right next to several upscale Indian Restaurants. Competition must be fierce between them but on this lovely Thursday summer evening, it seemed like Dawat had no trouble attracting clientele. The restaurant was packed with well dressed Upper East Side New Yorkers, most of who seemed like old customers.

Madhur Jaffery, the internationally famous Indian chef/author is behind the Dawat food operations – sadly, the food was nothing close to what she’s famous for.

The Maître d’ greeted us warmly and seated us a little away from the crowd. Décor was warm and interesting, the place was very clean, and the staff was most attentive and polite. We decided to try some of the dishes that came highly recommended by the Maître d'.

For appetizers, the thinly sliced, crispy fried Okra “Kuri Kuri” was delicious even though it looked like it could have been presented a little better. Color was too dark and unappealing. The taste made up for the looks and the touch of lemon juice added an extra zing to it. We also ordered an interestingly named “Lamb Pathar Kabab” (originated in Hyderabad, and is a thinly sliced lamb, marinated and cooked over a black granite stone that is heated over a bed of coals). A disappointed as we could taste no spices or even the yogurt. Quite bland, I must say. Don’t waste your money on that one!!!

For main Entrées, we tried the lamb chops “Gurnar” which were perfectly marinated and seasoned with ginger, garlic, saffron and yogurt. Highly recommended!

Smoked Eggplant Bharta (roasted eggplant, pureed & cooked with tomatoes, onions and spices) was a little too hot for my palate, nevertheless delicious. The bread basket, which is my second favorite food to eat in any Indian restaurant (next to their tandoori meats, of course), felt soggy and doughy, and could have used a little salt.

As for the desserts, stay away from their Ras Malai (cottage cheese dumplings made with cardamom and rose water) were sour in taste- seemed like the cream had gone bad. The Kulfi, (an ice cream that’s very popular, especially in the summers, in both India & Pakistan, made with heavy cream, sugar, and everything sinful in between) was unremarkable and tasted more like a cheap rose perfume.

Would I go back? Yes, definitely. If for nothing else, I would go back for the excellent service, the okra and the lamb chops!! They are definitely worth giving one more chance! Somehow expectations are high when the prices are high and the food turns out to be mediocre.

By Farrah Bokhari