BY GABE HERMAN | After closing for renovations early in fall 2018, Ghandi Cafe reopened last month and continues to serve its tasty Indian cuisine.
The cafe, at 283 Bleecker St., offers a self-described “authentic Anglo-Indian cooking style.” The cozy, hole-in-the-wall shop just east of Seventh Ave. opened in 1999.
When the eatery was shuttered several months back, a sign in the window said, “Sorry, we are closed for renovation.” But some wondered if it would be the latest local favorite to be run out of the area by increasing rents and another big chain store coming in.
On Instagram, a Yankees fan named Todd Hayes posted a photo of himself with a sad look in front of the shuttered Ghandi Cafe on Sept. 18. “Soul crushing….” he wrote, “all the way to Manhattan, cab ride to the West Village to eat at his favorite Indian place before the game… and CLOSED for renovations.”
But in mid-October a small sign appeared in the window, stating matter-of-factly: “Ghandi Cafe, Inc. Re-Opening Soon.”
Sure enough, they are now back open, after a sleek redesign of the interior that feels more minimalist, with mostly white chairs, tables and walls.
But the menu is the same, thankfully, including personal favorites like mixed vegetable curry, chicken tikka, dhansak curry, which is cooked with lentils and spinach, and vegetable samosas. Other favorite dishes according to its menu on Seamless include chicken tikka masala, vindaloo curry and butter chicken, which is cooked with cream, almonds and butter. All dishes come with basmati rice.
When dining at the cafe, complimentary mukhwas is served at the end of the meal, with fennel seeds, some candy-coated, for a sweet meal capper and breath freshener.
Ghandi Cafe has generally positive reviews on social media, with one Instagram post from yum_inthecity writing next to a mouthwatering food pic with curry dishes, naan and rice: “Probably one of the best curry I’ve ever had in the city.”
On Facebook, Llajjaira Gomez wrote in a review, “I have been coming here for years, the food and service are still amazing!” And Robbie Hayes wrote, “Oh my, I stumbled upon this gem by chance and I’m so glad that I did. First impressions are it’s very small (narrow) but who cares about that, the service was impeccable. And as for the food, wow, it was absolutely fantastic. So tasty and fresh.”
Ghandi Cafe offers delivery, but be warned that it can sometimes take a very long time, even well over an hour, depending on how busy the place is. More information can be found on its Web site, www.ghandicafe.org .
