Utsav - Broad Channel

We loved the food! Tons of variety with great sauces and spices. And our server Ramson was a good guy with very helpful input on the menu.

The service was amazing and the food was delicious!

An Ode To the Sublime The Utsav restaurant has decided to forge ahead with an authentic Bengali menu. As a self professed “Bhadro Lok” from Old Calcutta this had me tremulous with anticipation. Nandita the conductor of this orchestra comes with a solid pedigree of restauranteurs whose establishments in Kolkatta have withstood the vagaries of changing politics and taste. Her quite demure way camouflages a complete understanding of all things epicurean. It was classic Bengali fare starting with the Puchkas, Jhal Muri Calcutta Street Food) and fried Beckty with Kasundi. After these tantalizing and piquant appetizers we really got going. Paturi Mach delicately flavored fish baked in banana leaf), Chanar dal chickpea lentil)with just a hint of coconut. Daber chingri prawns cooked in a green coconut). The Kasha Mangsho slow cooked lamb)showed the effort, the hint of sweetness coming from the caramelization of tender pieces cooked long over an open wok stirred constantly so while the cooks arm muscles are on fire the stew remains ethereal. I could go on but suffice to say it’s the best Bengali food I have ever had in any restaurant on this Blue Planet. A repast such as this can have consequences. Recently several new establishments have stolen the limelight with an artistic flair of strange and overwhelming spice use that leaves a mouth permanently damaged and unable to argue the point with the chef about its inappropriate ingredients. One leaves with nervousness about what’s around the corner as the digestive system turns into a rocket propulsion system. A host of food critics anxious to seem current surf every new wave extolling new found tastes and trends. Not at Utsav . I slept like a baby wafted to the clouds on fresh ingredients used with a light hand. Here you will get, not the latest fad but a meal that has incubated for the ages and satiates the easily ruffled and finicky Bengali Babu who, while adventurous in his leanings to politics and the fine arts will tolerate no passing frivolity in his all important meal!

We went on Thanksgiving day after watching the Parade for lunch. The restaurant was busy. Food was average, however fast and good table service.

Good food. Small portions. Not so good service. Not worth the value. This is close to time square and worth visiting for good food. But as fine dining it pretends to be, service is not so great. Food wait time is on high side (we waited for ~20 mins for food) but food is worth the wait. Portions were small. Bar is average as well. You can have better fun times in irish bar across the street. (Pre-pandemic) Only thing good here is afternoon buffet which is reasonable and good variety. One can skip this place for dinner. Edit: Dec 2022 Was there recently again. Seating was immidiate. 12 min to take order, 28 min for appetizers and around 41 min to entrees. Wait time slightly improved since last visit. Service was much better this time. Portions were still small for value. Tables were really close even if half of the side seem empty. Bumping up a star this time. Please bring buffet back!! Edit: Nov 2023 Response time has increased now. Order to food was under 20 mins. Food is good as always. Portions are still small.