JACKSON DINER
37-47 74th Street, Jackson Heights
672-1232

CUISINE: Indian. Banquet hall available.

PARKING: Difficult. Use #7 train to 74th Street Station.

HOURS: Open 7 days a week for 11:30am until 10pm (11pm Fri. & Sat.).

Although Jackson Diner moved to its new location three years ago, this is the first chance we have had to check it out.

Verdict?

We miss the smaller, more intimate diner and its superior cooking. The new restaurant is large and simply furnished with a few wall decorations but nothing to dim the noise. Service is prompt.

Lunch is very active featuring a $7.95 buffet with dishes from Southern India and many choices including Aloo Tikki (potato patties), Goat Curry, Iddly (lentil doughnuts), Chili Chicken, Onion Salad, Chicken Maharini, Chickpeas, Dal (lentils), Nan (Tandori bread) and Garden Salad with assorted dressings. Rice Pudding was the dessert offering.

We ordered Sweet Lassis (a yogurt drink) for our beverage ($3.50). From the regular menu we ordered a Tasting Of Three which included Samosa (deep fried triangles stuffed with peas and potatoes), Batter Fried White Fish and Chicken Malabar (pan fried with a coconut coating). Unfortunately, the latter was dry and tough. The tasting includes a rich mango chutney ($8.50). We also tried the Iddly; two cakes of steamed lentil cakes with two dipping sauces.

Many well-known items are listed on the menu — i.e. Mulugtawany Soup (lentils with spicy herbs at $4.25.

The Tandori Specials (cooked in a clay oven) feature chicken or a Tandori Mixed Grill ($10.95) which includes an assortment of Tandori Chicken, Seekh Kabab (skewered minced lamb with special spices and herbs) and Boti Kabab (boneless lamb marinated in special Masala and barbequed in the Tandori oven).

For vegetarians, there are fourteen listings from $8.50 to $9.50 including several Dals, (black or yellow lentils) as well as an eggplant dish, Baingan Bhurta.

Seafood specials are served with rice or Nan, Dal and Raita for $14.95.

This area is an interesting place for window shopping with its many jewelry shops featuring the bright yellow, 22K gold ornaments imported from India, Sari shops and grocery shops that feature not only Indian foods but popular Hispanic as well.