BY: On this topic, I prefer very hot & spicey Indian vegetarian cooking at Saravanaas and at Chennai Garden for their versions of masala dosa, breads, whole grains, vegetables, etc. Zen Palate has been around for many years but I could never bring myself to eat there.
Saravanaas,, web site (flash and music), 81 Lexington Avenue, at 26th Street, 212-679-0204 [NY Mag | MenuPages | Citysearch | NYT | Yelp]
Chennai Garden, 129 East 27th Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues, 212-689-1999 [MenuPages | NY Mag | Village Voice | NYT | Yelp]
The best Chinese food is in Chinatown – Manhattan and Flushing.