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The MasalaWala Reviews List
The MasalaWala
The MasalaWala is a chic South-Asian spot on the lower east side of Manhattan. Our concept is to create this café as a tribute to the South-Asian (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & some neighbors) street cuisine. Street food,
traditionally, is ready-to-eat food or drink sold in a street-side shed (dhaba) or a public place by a vendor from a stall. We firmly believe that this is the best food in South-Asia! It is where tradition and culinary art meet that hypnotic aroma and taste. Our goal is to take that cuisine and deliver it to the New Yorkers in a fresh and healthy fashion, with an authentically delicious taste. We aim to reinvent and transform the food lover's idea and experience of the typical "Indian Restaurant". Let's pave the way for a new experience!
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20 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Rating Breakdown 20 reviews
5 stars
(10)
4 stars
(5)
3 stars
(5)
2 stars
(0)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(8)
- fit for foodies(7)
- good for groups(4)
- great for lunch(3)
- special occasion(3)
- romantic(2)
The MasalaWala Reviews List
Review 1 for The MasalaWala
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Quick and easy though tight
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Quick and easy though tight seating. Had cauliflower fritters (like sweet & sour pork), chicken tikka and shrimp in spinach. Very tasty. Owner also stopped by briefly."
Dined on 04/12/2013
2007
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Review 2 for The MasalaWala
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Nice ambiance. Owner and servers
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Nice ambiance. Owner and servers were very hepful. Indian food was fantastic"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, great for lunch
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Review 3 for The MasalaWala
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We had a birthday party with
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We had a birthday party with 16 people and the food and device was great."
Dined on 03/05/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 4 for The MasalaWala
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Delicious Indian food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Really lovely Indian food - quite a few "different" dishes to your standard indian fare. Very charming service. Would definitely be back when in neighbourhood."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2006
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Review 5 for The MasalaWala
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fantastic
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Fantastic, fantastic experience. The MasalaWala was sublime."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups
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Review 6 for The MasalaWala
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We had a great food at this
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We had a great food at this restaurant. It is well worth for the money spend."
Dined on 02/20/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 7 for The MasalaWala
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food tasted great, but left
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food tasted great, but left a 3-day lingering effect on both diners. Breadbasket was fabulous, Chicken Jalfreezi a sweeter sauce than expected.
Cauliflower appetizer and Spicy chicken appetizers were nice starter.
Owner was ever-present, somewhat of a character but very involved and engaged with every table. Small restaurant, we had reservations and were still seated next to the front door."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for The MasalaWala
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Indian dinner~!
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"As my friends and I entered this small yet cozy Indian restaurant on a Friday evening, the setting is modern, clean, and dim lit. We found our long table, which was simply four small tables put together, against the wall with a "Reserved" place card on top. The owner was on-site and extremely friendly, maybe too friendly because he kept on checking up on us, which made us feel a little bit uncomfortable. However, he did make us all feel like we were guests in his own home so it was very welcoming to a certain extent I guess. My main course was the Goan Fish Curry. I thought the fish curry was a little heavy on the mustard seeds, but it is just personal taste. Overall, my party and I had a good time despite the mixed feelings."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2008
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Review 9 for The MasalaWala
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
It's a small space so I would
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"It's a small space so I would recommend making a reservation. We arrived around 8pm and there were about 1/3 of the tables open, but they filled up within minutes. The staff is very attentive and service was very quick. When our food wasn't up to our spicy standards they didn't hesitate to send it back and return it to us a minute later. The owner is very amiable and takes his time to say hello and check in with each table."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2009
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Review 10 for The MasalaWala
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent food. The owner
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Excellent food. The owner was very friendly. I highly recommend!"
Dined on 02/01/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Ratings-Only Reviews for The MasalaWala
Based on the average of (10) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate