On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.

Basmati

3.5 star rating
based on 9 reviews

Category: Indian  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Kensington
221 Church Ave
(between 2nd St & 3rd St)
Brooklyn, NY 11218
(718) 972-9111
Nearest Transit:

Church Ave (F)

Good for Groups:
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Price Range:
$
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
Yes
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good for:
Lunch
Alcohol:
None

9 reviews for Basmati

Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of Jenna S.

 

1

30

Jenna S.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
5/27/2009

Dear Basmati,

I love you. You're appearance in the neighborhood has made me not hate Kensington's lack of delivery  as much as I did.

Your chana masala is superb. My bf and roomie both love the chicken kofta curry. Your desserts are delicious. AND you're cheap!

Sincerely,

Jenna, who you know by address : ]

People thought this was:

  • Useful (1)
  • Funny (1)
  • Cool (1)
Photo of Dave P.

Elite '09

12

77

Dave P.

New York, NY

1 star rating
10/27/2009

Wow, I really wanted to love this place, nay, even like it, but it is not so. Having moved into the neighborhood recently, I was excited to see an indian place (my prior home of park slope had tons) and it looks nice enough. I was at first worried, because they don't carry my favorite indian dish, that of Vindaloo, nor do they have much lamb (other than baby lamb). However I pressed on through the negative yelp reviews and decided that I would like it and everyone else was being a dick. They weren't.

While it is fairly cheap, for instance it was 89 cents for the biggest samosa I've ever seen, you really get what you pay for. The samosa was quite good, as was the naan. However the mango lassi had a really weird smell and tastes like what I assume afterbirth does. The chicken tikka tandoori and spicy beef skewers were both poor in both quality, cooking, and they were dried out to boot. A salad came with the meal, that is to say, a bunch of lettuce in tin foil in the shape of a tennis ball. WTF?!

In addition, except for the tasteless green sauce, there were no condiments included, and I love my brown sauce at the indian restaurant. For shame...

Photo of grace g.

 

58

59

grace g.

Brooklyn, NY

5 star rating
2/11/2009

This place delivers indian food & accepts credit cards!
indian places here are not rare, but one that delivers is! so this place gets 5 stars!  

I'd have to second eric's review, can't beat the reasonable price for locale and quality & taste of food.

There's a lunch special until 4pm:
    $5.99 for any 3 items from the hot food display table (biryani rice dishes count as 2 items) last I ordered 10-Feb'09.  I'd like to sit in one day and try the poori appetizer.

Tried:
  chicken malai kofte - perfect taste, seasoning, and consistency.
   beef curry - perfect taste, seasoning, and consistency.
   lamb curry  - Good taste, seasoning, and consistency.
  Chicken tikka masala - i like mine a lot more spicy.
  Gulab jamon dessert - taste, look & quality like the one on 7th ave., Park Slope.

But even after the lunch special, prices are still pretty decent.

People thought this was:

  • Useful (1)
  • Funny (1)
  • Cool (1)
Photo of Eric S.

Elite '09

17

81

Eric S.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
1/21/2009 1 photo

I am pleased to find a new spot in Kensington that serves reasonably priced Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi food.  I was fearing the joint was going to be another Thai Restauraunt or 99 cent store.  I'm glad to see a little variety being added to the block, and I hope it doesn't become a spot for seedy men to spill out into the street just hanging out  

Meat samosa's are 85 cents and they are delicious.  I had the beef tandori platter and I have to say the spices and rices that made this thing up not only left me full, but my wallet still full to (less then $8).  Everything seemed very clean and the guys behind the counter were eager to please.  I can't wait to go in there and try the chicken tikki...

People thought this was:

  • Useful (3)
  • Funny (1)
  • Cool (2)
Photo of Andrea L.

 

1

26

Andrea L.

Brooklyn, NY

3 star rating
3/8/2009

It's nice that there's a new place to eat, and it's not so much of the "same old same old".

I have eaten food from Basmati a few times - it has always been good. I like the spinach and chicken, the mysterious meatballs, and the vegetable korma. The samosas are yummy and cheap (85 cents). They could do a little better with the drink selection, and I think they charge too much for the rice. But they do take credit cards!

Downsides: the food is a bit oily, and if you go later in the evening not as fresh. Also, this has nothing to do with the food, but they have a huge fan or something on the roof of the building they are in, and it's really REALLY loud. I live on the same block, and the noise is driving me insane.

Photo of Bob J.

Elite '09

25

84

Bob J.

Brooklyn, NY

2 star rating
6/2/2009

Big Disappointment. The sign had been calling my name for weeks before they opened. I really really want to like this place, but the food just isn't good. The family is very nice and hard working, but I just can't dig it. Maybe I'll try again in a month or so. Or maybe I'll eat it every day telling myself how great it is until one day I break down and cry.

Photo of Ronit B.

 

0

30

Ronit B.

Brooklyn, NY

5 star rating
3/27/2009

In a neighborhood not known for its range of culinary options, it's a clean, inexpensive Indian restaurant with good food, that delivers and takes credit cards. What more could you ask for?!

The lamb biryani is great, the kebabs and naans are exceptional. The lassi is quite good. The steam table lunch special is decent and a good value at $5.99, and the paalak paneer is fantastic. The owner's a friendly guy and willing to listen to suggestions and take custom requests. Overall, highly recommended.

People thought this was:

  • Useful (1)
  • Cool (1)
Photo of bridget e.

Elite '09

213

278

bridget e.

Brooklyn, NY

3 star rating
Updated - 4/4/2009

i am adding star power for the welcoming and amiable service. despite the lack of spice, the chicken was tender, succulent and tasty.

People thought this was:

  • Useful (5)
  • Funny (3)
  • Cool (6)

1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 2 star rating
    3/1/2009

    i love to discover new places, but i've come to the realization that better results are more likely… Read more »

Photo of Arthur B.

 

0

7

Arthur B.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
2/24/2009

I would say that their first few days were rough.  Some food was good and other was so so.  My wife and I tried a few dishes.

We got some takeout during Mid-February and everything was very good.  I like the chicken masala.  It has all of the spice flavor without the spicyness.  

This is definitely a place that I will come back to time and time again.

1 to 9 of 9  
Write a Review

People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...

People Viewed This After Searching For...