Mint

My friend Kelly and I paid a visit to Mint a few weeks ago. The décor has a cool, modern vibe that’s calculated to appeal to the East Midtown lunch circuit. At dinner time, it was not particularly busy.

The menu is a mix of Indian standards and a few original dishes. I shot photos, but didn’t take notes at the time. Our general sense was that the appetizers (top row of photos) were better than the entrées (bottom row). Kelly particularly raved about the Crispy Cauliflower tossed in Tomato Garlic Sauce (top right). The platings, however, are rather humdrum and might even be called careless. Prices don’t break the bank, with all appetizers at $12 or lower, and entrées at $20 or lower.

Service was a bit confused. There are different drinks menus at the bar and the tables. Our server had trouble understanding that, although we were seated at a table, we wanted one of the drinks from the bar. I cannot recall another restaurant with such a peculiar arrangement. Our bread order also flummoxed them.

Mint is a slight cut above the usual Indian restaurant in New York City, and certainly acceptable if you happen to be in the neighborhood, but not worth going out of the way.

Mint (150 E. 50th Street in the San Carlos Hotel, between Third & Lexington Avenues, East Midtown)

Food: *
Service: Satisfactory
Ambiance: *½
Overall: *