“For what it’s worth, what I like about Brick Lane has nothing to do with how spicy they make their vindaloo (and IMHO they are the only ones that make it the appropriate hotness in town)… They make it british style! In other words, you can plop down and get a delicious Chicken Balti! Who else in town makes a balti?? And before that have some onion baji. Do they sell pilau rice? I dunno. But if you’ve spend any time eating curry in England these guys are the real deal in my worthless opinion. Now I’ll have a guinness.”

Wondering how it stacks up when you put it in front of mixed crowd?  This office did the ultimate test, and Lunch’er Joe R filed this report:

“Never eaten from here before.  Just had a bad weekend and there were a number of us who needed to be in the office.  We ordered $350+ worth of takeout from here….about 12 people.  We put it all out so that anyone could take what they wanted. Among the diners, one person who sampled the food was from India.  The other person was a consultant from England.  Both went through the menu and had told us what to order.”

The verdict from both is after the jump.

“Indian person said food was just okay – passable. British guy (who has been in Manhattan only a few months) says that it is the most authentic that he has found on this side of the pond so far. Both agreed that some of the sauces were a little thin, samosas were too oil soaked (maybe not hot enough grease?). They liked the Jalfrezi, Papadum, chicken tika masala, malay kofta.

Some of the stuff on the menu was stuff that I’ve never heard of or seen on the menu at any other Indian place that I’ve been to.  Then again, I’ve never been to England, so they must have their own style of cooking/dishes.”

They certainly do.  They certainly do.

A lot of action lately on 53rd Street btw. 2+3rd Avenue, a small “out of bounds” block that I’ve covered a little bit in the past. Spoons, the tiny Korean/American take out deli closed up awhile back, and a second location of the East Village’s Brick Lane Curry house has opened in its place. The Hungry Commuter gets the first taste and reports that “the phaal isn’t as hot as the original. But give them some time. They just opened…” I’ve never been to the original Brick Lane Curry House in the East Village, which nobody will argue serves some of the hottest curry in NYC. Whether or not it actually tastes good, is a whole different argument.

But wait. There’s more…

Lunch’er Anastasia casually mentioned the newly opened Good Health Burger in her profile last week, but sends along this extra info:

Good Health Burger is amazing vegetarian (and some non-vegetarian) food, that even my carnivore husband said was fantastic. Most of the options are under $10, and the burgers are large and come with warm tortilla chips and salsa. I recommend the Black Bean Bacon Burger. I know it’s vegan, but it’s SO good. I hate giving up this gem of a secret, but I want them to stay in business and I want the MidtownLunch readers to taste the magic. Oh, and the dairy- and egg-free desserts are out of this world.

Good to know… for vegetarians. Good any news or tips to share? Feel free to send them to zach@midtownlunch.com

Brick Lane Curry House, 235 E 53rd St (btw. 2+3rd Ave)

Good Health Burger, 237 E 53rd St (btw. 2+3rd Ave), (212) 888-8007