I worked around the corner from this budget-wise Indo-Pak restaurant for years, and takeout from Sirtaj was a daily event. We continued to place regular orders after we moved up by Grand Central; the delivery arrived by cab. Whenever I eat Indian food elsewhere, I find myself making mental comparisons: This isn't as spicy as at Sirtaj. Sirtaj makes a richer sauce for this dish. The naan is chewier at Sirtaj. Etc.
The Sirtaj menu boasts of the "inspiring atmosphere" and "ample space for parties," but it's not the alleged ambience that has regularly brought me back to this bare-bones storefront for almost two decades.
I've ordered everything on the menu several times over and can't recall a time when I've been disappointed. Faves include tikka saag, chicken makhni and keema peas, served with basmati rice and raita. The food is typically quite fiery, but if you want to really stoke the flames ask for chili-onion relish; there's also a green cilantro sauce that soothes the burn.
A few days before the election, Miz Style said, "In these days when everything seems to be going wrong, it's so great we can still count on Sirtaj." Amen.
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