Last night I went to Boqueria with Steve and Charles (a new friend at Renegade Marketing). However, since there was a one hour wait and they don't take reservations we moved onwards. Steve was there first so he called me to let me know-- I was three blocks away. I whipped out my Treo 650 and tapped a few buttons in Vindigo, an application every city-goer must have, and called Sala 19. Apparently there needs to be a third tapas bar opened on 19th street between 5th & 6th, because the two there now are already too busy (Sala also had a one hour wait). I called Devi two blocks away and got a table for three.

We arrived at Devi, and Charles almost instantly commented on the scene. It's decorated Indian without going overboard, perfect for a casual, after-work dinner. After walking in, I noticed a bit of kitchen smoke in the air, but it seemed to calm down a bit, only to slowly pick up again.

We didn't really have drinks (save one beer), but we did share the altogether unimpressive Trio of Samosas (spinach & goat cheese, ground lamb & pecorino and potato & peas). Steve had the classic potato & peas, Charles and I split the lamb and the spinach. All three were tiny and the flavors seemed atypical; the accompanying sauces didn't compliment at all. If I were hungrier I would've also ordered the Kathal Biryani, because jackfruit is definitely rare in NYC, but I had a big lunch in Chinatown earlier that day (triple bbq) so I skipped.

Steve had the Khatte Meethe Baingan: baby eggplant, sweet & sour tomato, tamarind sauce. It could easily have passed for Caponata by any Italian's standards. But was enjoyable nonetheless. Charles ordered a chicken with basil sauce-- I don't see it listed on the menu, so perhaps I'm forgetting. The chicken was served in two good sized tenders (loin cuts), covered in the sauce, along with perfectly cooked basmati rice (spiced, Indian style). The chicken was cooked perfectly, medium-rare, and the sauce with mild and not over-powering.

I absolutely savored my Mirchi Walee Machi: fish of the day, tandoor baked with a roasted pepper marinade and rice on the side. After the cooking process it was hard to tell what fish I was eating, it could just as easily been sole as salmon (more likely the former). It was rare and the sauce was thick and spicy. The rice (same as Charles') was perfect basmati to help cool my mouth.

I finished my meal with the Mango Cheesecake, served with a Mango Crisp and Candied Mango strips. It was delicious, although the cake itself was slightly gelatinous in texture. Steve sampled a rice pudding with some type of macerated berries and Charles enjoyed a fruit (raspberry perhaps) sorbet in rose water. His was the most refreshing dessert, larger than an intermezzo portion palette cleanser, but otherwise indistinguishable.

After leaving, having paid about $45 each with T&T, we were generally satisfied, except that all three of our eyes (or six, I suppose) were red and watering. The kitchen smoke had been slowly keeping our eyes sore the entire time we were there.

I recommend giving Devi a taste, just bring some eye drops with you.