Madras Dosa Co., a Boston-based casual dine-in restaurant, debuted its second NYC location in Flatiron last Friday. They’re known for their filled dosas, staying true to traditional South Indian cuisine, but also push the barriers of gastronomic innovation with creative twists. The Knockturnal had the chance to check out their new location on opening day – read more to hear what we thought!
Although it was their first day open, you’d never know it – Madras Dosa Co.’s Flatiron location stands bright and shiny on 6th avenue, nestled between other eateries and across the street from busy Trader Joe’s. The only giveaway during our experience was friends and family stopping by to congratulate the owners on their new spot, and grab a bite to eat. When you walk in, you’re greeted by beautiful wall art, wicker and bamboo accents, and an LED menu screen showcasing a wide variety of options.
While Madras Dosa Co. prides itself on being a South Indian restaurant, they also serve a few dishes that step into fusion territory. Items such as their Uttapam “Taco”, Idly “Fries” and their Egg Salad Sandwich (a combo of Bombay Chili Cheese flavors and egg) spark curiosity. We sampled a number of items on their menu, such as the Pani Puri, Mini Idlis with gunpowder, Lamb Dosa, Masala Dosa, Egg Salad Sandwich, Mango Lassi, South Indian Coffee, and Masala Chai.
Let’s start off with the food: the Pani Puri was our opener, of course. It’s filled with red onion and aloo (potato), sev (crunchy chickpea sticks), and pomegranate seeds. The pani was mouth-wateringly tangy and savory, with boondi (chickpea flour puffs) to add crunch. It was absolutely delicious – we got one order, which had 6 total, but next time I go back I’d absolutely get two. The Mini Idlis were another delicious appetizer. They’re served with Sambar, Coconut-Ginger Chutney, and Ginger Chutney – the last of which was my favorite. I still have some of the leftover ginger chutney in my fridge that I’m saving!
The Lamb and Masala Dosas were next, our main course. These were beautifully golden with crispy edges, and you can see the chefs frying them up on hot stones right behind the counter. They’re also served with Madras Dosa Co.’s signature three dipping sauces, and the fillings were just as delicious as the dosas themselves. Lamb was a new option for me, and would be great for those seeking a protein kick to their dosa.The Egg Salad Sandwich was our last course, and it really impressed me. The egg flavor was super subtle, and this is not your average picnic egg salad. Three slices of bread make up this sandwich, with the one in the middle coated in a melted chili cheese mixture, and a soft scrambled egg with cheddar, shallots, and red bell pepper oozing out of the soft, toasted white bread. It’s the perfect blend of modern Indian and American flavors, reminiscent of the Mumbai staple chili cheese toast (they also offer this sandwich as just a Chili Cheese Sandwich – without egg).
Finally, the drinks. The Mango Lassi was on the sweeter end of the spectrum, thick & luxurious – full of the tropical mango flavor and balanced by yogurty-tang. Sipping on this throughout the entire meal felt like a fluffy cloud of sweetness cutting through when the spice levels climbed close to my limits. The coffee and chai were excellent as well – we had them at the end of our meal to go, which felt like a warm hug as we made our way out into the rainy New York evening.
Our experience at Madras Dosa Co. was fantastic, and we can’t wait for their next two locations in Rockefeller Center and 3rd Avenue to open!
