PRICE:
Frommer's Highly Recommended

The vibrancy of the traditional Indian restaurants, seemingly interconnected on the block of East 6th Street known as "Little India," has diminished over the years, but this relatively new addition has added some welcome vigor. The food is so good at Brick Lane that they don't even need the requisite sitar players to draw in customers. But beware: They don't compromise on their spice. In fact, they might just have the hottest dish to be found in the city. It's a curry called "phaal" that requires a verbal disclaimer by the customer to not hold the restaurant liable for any physical or emotional damage incurred from eating it. If you are able to finish it, the restaurant promises a bottle of beer on the house. But there is no need to blister your intestines: The other, less hazardous, curries will bring on a good enough sweat, including the excellent Madras and the tangy Goan. Brick Lane's signature boti rolls (chicken tikka served in fresh-baked bread) are special, while the rassam soup of the day, a thin, clear soup that changes daily, will help clear your sinuses even before you touch a curry. There are also a number of vegan items.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's New York City 2009, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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