Passage
To India
GATEWAY OF INDIA: 138-31 Queens Boulevard,
Briarwood, 657-3600
CUISINE: Indian
HOURS: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 11
p.m.
CREDIT CARDS: All major
If obtaining passage to India is beyond your
means, just take a short trip down Queens Boulevard. Gateway of India serves up more than
authentic Indian cuisine, the restaurant also moonlights as a sports bar, a discotheque,
and a catering hall.
With traditional sitar music playing in the
background of its ornately decorated dining room, Gateway is the perfect spot for an
Indian feast. But this isn’t just a traditional Indian restaurant. Once you switch on
almost a dozen satellite-linked televisions, the disco ball, or the CD jukebox, you have
entered quite a different Gateway.
The appetizers can be a meal in themselves. Both
the Vegetable Samosas ($2.95), crisp pastries stuffed with seasoned potatoes and peas, and
the Alu Papri ($2.50), flour crackers served with potatoes, whipped yogurt and sweet and
sour sauce, are truly delectable. The Mulligatwany Shorba soup ($2.50), made with lentils,
mild spices, and fresh coconut, will not disappoint.
Gateway also has an extensive selection of Indian
breads. In addition to Nan bread ($2.25), which is almost a staple, try the Onion Kulcha
bread ($3.25), baked in Tandoor with onions and spices.
For the main course, there are an excellent array
of clay oven, chicken, lamb, seafood, and Vegetarian dishes. Murg Tikka Masala ($12.95),
tender boneless chicken, in a butter sauce with green spices and tomatoes, is always a
safe bet. For the slightly more adventurous, the Kadai Goat ($13.95), cooked in an onion
and tomato sauce with garlic and ginger, is extremely rich.
The Lunch menu features a buffet ($5.95) and
reasonably priced “executive specials” for under $10. There are also terrific
specials available for the early birds, and a prix fixe dinner special for only $10.95.
Wearing its catering hat, the staff of Gateway
can provide many different options. Not limiting themselves to Indian food, they can also
serve continental cuisine. With a seating capacity of 155, the space is large enough for
wedding receptions, birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, sweet sixteens, or conventions.
With state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, and
a large dance floor, Gateway can fulfill the needs of even the most elaborate affairs.
They can even provide their own dee-jay.
So whether you are searching for a place to hold
your next affair, looking for a happening place to watch the playoffs, or are sitting at
home deciding what to order for dinner, give Gateway of India a call.
— Jeremy Olshan |
