Strip Mall “Heavens”

Living fairly close to Manhattan’s Little India and Curry Hill areas, going out for Indian is not so much something I do during a Long Island escape. However Hicksville’s vegetarian Indian restaurants have been on my radar after some repeated perusing of LI’s VegGuide. So a friend and I hit Dosa Diner, a well-touted eatery in a strip mall on Hicksville’s Broadway… next to the humidor and Middle Eastern grocer. How’s that for authenticity?

I must say that after witnessing the spectacle of lights and reflective ceiling hangings that clustered Middle Eastern restaurants don to distinguish themselves in Manhattan, Dosa Diner’s exterior was not so appealing. But don’t let it fool you! Inside is a long vegetarian menu that is delicious and fresh and service that is top-notch.  The menu names their entrees “heavens” and I agree wholly. 
The Aloo Bonda was a wonderful appetizer: potato and nut dumpling deep-fried in a lentil batter. These balls were fresh and delicate…  an indicator of the overall quality of Dosa Diner. Our gracious server made sure to clue me in that the mint sauce accompaniment contained a bit of dairy yogurt. Which was fine because I have the hots for the tamarind sauce. I can drink it by the glass.
I chose the Balgara Baigan for an entree. In traditional Indian fare fashion, the steel containers housed a generous portion of my saucy main, in this case roasted eggplant cooked with coconut, poppy seed in a tangy sauce, along with long-grain pulao (rice). The waiter had indicated it as vegan, along with a long list of entrees. I was really impressed with his full dairy disclosure.