pongal
location: 81. lexington ave. new york. ny 10016
phone: 212.696.5130
south indian, kosher, vegetarian, bad/arrogant service, rude waiters

'pongal', in tamil (south indian language), refers to a festival that marks the welcoming of the harvest season. it also refers to the main dish (made of rice) that is prepared during the festival. as for 'pongal' - the restaurant - it is one of the most overrated one in the city. the food is half-decent, but even that is negated by the worst service their waiters mete out to the customers.

a couple of incidents for reference: it was a weekend brunch time, and the restaurant was more than half-empty. a couple behind us were asking the waiter if they could change their table due to some uncomfortability. the waiter arrogantly refused any change with no rhyme or reason, much to the amazement of patrons in the next table. the other incident was on the same day when the waiter got all rude and impolite because i had my seat jutting out a little. and this was my second time going there only to see that they had not changed an iota from the first time i was there.

overall, 'pongal' sucks. waiters are rude-extraordinaire. half-decent food. TOTALLY UNRECOMMENDED

fyi: there are other places for good south indian food!  
¶ 5/31/2004 07:28:42 PM |