Chennai Garden by Tiffin Wallah

This bright, clean Curry Hill standout makes a great date place—especially if your date is vegetarian, Jewish (it’s kosher!) or homesick for India. Start with the samosa chaat ($7)—two flaky pockets stuffed with potato and peas, covered in a colorful tamarind, cilantro and yogurt sauce. Then sample one of four $17 thalis—multiple servings of rice, curries, chutneys and more served on a single tray. (The Gujarathi thali, with a spicy yet sweet kachori [bean fritters], boasts flavors you won’t find at the generic Indian restaurant on your block.) A fresh lunch buffet, offered from 11:30am to 3pm on weekdays, overflows with South Indian standards like a creamy saag paneer and Gobi masala (cauliflower and peas)—all you can eat for $8.95.