Bites Nearby: Madras Woodlands Exotic Taste of India

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, New Hyde Park Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

Since introducing South Indian cuisine to Americans in the early seventies, Madras Woodlands continues to share the authentic and strictly vegetarian specialties of the culture’s Udupi style of cooking at their Hillside Avenue location.

Founded by three brothers Shama, Krishna and Balaram Rao, Madras Woodlands restaurant was originally established in Manhattan in 1972, providing patrons with a brand new ethnic dining experience.

“We were the first Indian restaurant…at that time,” said Sharon Bahadur, front manager and hostess.

The restaurant now operates solely from its spacious and tranquil New Hyde Park dining room, which has been in business for over five years.

Owner Balaram Rao explains that the Udupi cooking style utilized is found in cafés all over the South Indian landscape. The vegetarian cuisine has spicy undertones and is made with ingredients such as curry powders, fresh fruit, coconut and nuts.

The food at Madras Woodlands stands prided in its roots; from the pickles down to the spices, there are no instant mixes and no corners cut.

“Being vegetarian, we believe in preparing everything fresh,” Balaram said. Just as it would be done in India, he adds, “Everything is made in-house.”

For starters, there are steamed lentil patties or Iddly and fried savory lentil donuts otherwise known as Vadai. Bondas are a soft Southern Indian-style potato dumpling dipped in a spicy chickpea batter and deep fried; the similar but crispy North Indian variety, Somosas, are also served as an appetizer.

Long, filled lentil crepes called dosai are among the most notable entrées. Madras Woodlands serves about 20 different varieties of dosai, all accompanied by tomato and coconut chutneys and samber, a soupy lentil dip. The masala dosai loaded with potato, onion and cashew filling is the most popular.

Also on the menu are a number of rice, curry dishes, Uthappam lentil pancakes and several homemade breads.  Batura, a soft, puffy fried bread described by Balaram, as “like a balloon,” is served with chickpea curry to scoop up along with fresh lemon, diced tomato and onion.

Cool down from the spicy curry with a smoothie-like mango lassi made from pureed fruit and yogurt.

And if you’re looking for something sweet to cap off your meal, The Madras Woodlands Special dessert is the restaurant’s most authentic. Baham Halwa is made from almonds, saffron, ghee and sugar that are ground together into a sugary paste and served warm with vanilla ice cream.

On the weekends, the restaurant offers a lunch buffet from 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., where for $9.95 you get unlimited access to dosai and other specialties.

Also available: takeout, event hosting, catering, and off-site dosai parties.

Madras Woodlands Exotic Taste of India, 1627 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park, (516) 326-8900. Monday-Friday, Lunch: 12:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m., Dinner: 6:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m.; closed Tuesday; Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. http://www.madraswoodlands.com/home.html.