This East Village staple has several things going for it - mostly that it relies on its reputation as a bang for the buck, and not its food, for its success. If you're willing to make exceptions... More

This East Village staple has several things going for it - mostly that it relies on its reputation as a bang for the buck, and not its food, for its success. If you're willing to make exceptions for taste, you can eat like a king for $20, as they load on complimentary relishes and serve generous portions. It's also a fun place in general, with the hundreds and hundreds of lights decorating the inside, possibly there to distract you from your food which is neither nor there as far as Indian food goes. It's a bit cramped inside, but they will accommodate groups up to 10 people. There's a bit of a neighborhood legend about this place, which is right on the edge of 6th street where all the Indian restaurants are. The stairs leading up to Panna also lead up to its next door neighbor, Milon, another Indian restaurant. Half of the fun is standing on the bottom, pretending to decide which place you will pick, while the staff call out to you and try to tempt you with promises of how good their food is. Rumor is that despite appearances, they share the same kitchen in the back.
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