Jackson Heights Life

Was looking for a Vegetarian restaurant in the neighborhood other than Dosa Delight.  And I know all the Indian restaurants serve vegetarian dishes but I wanted to try someplace new.  Ended up here for lunch today.  Before ordering I read reviews on yelp so decided to have a Dosa.  On yelp someone had a mix of spinach and potatoes which wasn't on the menu so I asked and they graciously accommodated me.  It's the first time I had a Dosa that wasn't already filled when brought to the table (like the buffet at the Jackson Diner) and I was so happy.  I've always hated this big shell with stuffing only in the middle.  It was light and crisp; I liked tearing it apart and spooning on my filling and sampling first the orange sauce -- never saw or had before --and it was mildly spicy and delicious.  Next I sampled the coconut sauce (maybe what they called coconut chutney?).  I LOVE coconut flavor so this was also wonderful.  The sambar tasted like a light tomato broth lentil vegetable soup.  I liked it a lot.  I didn't expect to get full since there wasn't rice with the Dosa but after I ate EVERYTHING I was perfectly full.  I can't wait to go back and try a other dishes.  The interior was clean, bland but pleasant.  The front cases that JHlifer mentioned were empty and looked like they would be for desserts.  It certainly wouldn't bother me at all if they had a vendor selling their desserts as a compliment to the restaurants food but honestly, since they were empty I have no idea what the deal is there.  eddiestjohns I was surprised to see you didn't like the idea since it's not like the restaurant was divided into different establishments.  The rents are so high in JHs if this helps a vegetarian restaurant stay in business I AM ALL FOR IT!   (the photo looks like a potato dosa)

This is the best Indian food I have ever eaten in Jackson Heights. I recently brought a vegetarian friend of mine here on a bitter cold day and she was extremely happy with the food, and she's a picky eater. I have been here several times and also appreciate the fact that not everything is super spicy, and they respect the fact that some people prefer average/mild spices.
I recently ordered the potatoe dosa, it was delicious, it was my actually my first dosa.

I stopped in after work this week for a to-go order, and really liked the food.  What was even nicer was that while I was waiting, the owner invited me to sit down in back (rather than stand up front), and was so super nice when I asked him a bunch of questions about what was on the menu. Even after my order came out, he told me to wait a minute, and brought out a small dessert for me (i'm not sure what it was, but it was delicious, like rice pudding but more watery, with hints of cinnamon and crushed pistachios on top).  I actually told him I saw his restaurant on this forum, and he had me show him the website on his ipad .  Great experience, will definitely go back in the near future.  As mentioned, interior is not modern, just run-of-the-mill, but its not a hole in the wall either, so it would be comfortable to dine-in.   

There is a new Indian restaurant located on 75th Street and 37th Avenue called Samudra Indian Restaurant. They are a pure vegetarian restaurant- specializing in South Indian dishes (dosa, idly, etc.).

Just curious if anyone in the neighborhood has tried their food. It seems like a nice place!

I've been many times, consistently excellent and extremely affordable. Service is earnest but sometimes spotty (they forget a dish, or bring the wrong one). Even this is better lately. Some of the best palak paneer and aloo gobi I've ever had.

Samudra is great, enjoy....

What is everyone's favorite thing to order from Samudra?

I keep reading that they might close, planning to order from them next time we get delivery!

(e.g. https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook/2020/06/16/small-businesses-stare-into-the-abyss-homeless-residents-left-in-the-dark-about-covid-spread-relatives-of-new-yorkers-killed-by-police-rebuke-cuomo-489541)