Good Indian Cuisine in Kew Gardens

When we first moved to Kew Gardens, Queens from Manhattan my wife and I thought we'd left good Indian food behind. Thank God, one fine afternoon after attending a movie at Kew Gardens Cinemas, we turned the corner onto Austin Street to discover Mehak -- a little "hole in the wall"; not much to look at, but serving absolutely delicious "Indo & Pak Mughlai" cuisine.

Now, much to my delight, the owner has opened the much larger Darber right around the corner from where I live. I work in Manhattan, so unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to try their lunch buffet yet, but my wife and I have ordered in delivery oh, about a dozen or so times.

The vegetable dishes are $6.75, the meat entrees run btw/ $8-12 . . . I personally recommend the Vegetable Jelfrazi (prepared to taste -- I prefer very spicy) or their Aloo Gobi, with a side of Naan. The Kheer (cool rice pudding) is excellent.

• Darbar 125-22 Queens Blvd. 718-261-8900 (corner of 83rd St.)
• Mehak 83-06 Austin St.

Addendum:

The "Hot & Spicy Dill Pickles" from Just Pickles Mail Order are, hands down, the best pickles I've ever tasted . . . at least so far (my intention is to try all of them).