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Cloves Indian CuisineC+?Proceed Cautiously

Name: Cloves Indian Cuisine
Address: 66 Madison Ave Store B, New York, NY 10016, New York, United States
Rating: 4.8

66 Madison Ave Store B, New York, NY 10016 · Indian restaurant · 4.8/5 Google (1424 reviews)

Reservations · Delivery · Takeout

Polished Indian spot with warmly attentive hosts and flavorful classics; strong vegetarian range and tandoor, but service speed and surprise surcharge complaints temper the praise.

Why it gets a C+? for overall quality

⚠️ Review concerns: This assessment reflects moderate uncertainty due to questionable review patterns. See details in Authenticity Assessment. Cloves Indian Cuisine delivers solid food quality with flavorful tandoor and curries, backed by genuine warm hospitality from owner Syed and his team. However, inconsistent execution—ranging from excellent to bland across visits—combined with serious food safety concerns including raw chicken and allergy mishandling, prevents a higher grade. This grade reflects significant uncertainty due to moderate review authenticity concerns, making it difficult to fully trust reported quality metrics.

Restaurant Summary

The room feels cozy and polished, with warm greetings and frequent check-ins that many diners call out by name. One guest summed it up: "Service felt genuinely welcoming and the food arrived looking vibrant." However, there are moderate authenticity concerns suggesting some reviews may be solicited or influenced. The cooking leans elevated traditional, anchored by tandoor and North Indian curries rather than flashy fusion. Dishes like butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, and tandoori lamb chops are the draw, with rich gravies and smoky char. Expect generous portions and a menu that is extensive but classic; ideal for diners seeking comforting staples over experimentation. Families do well here thanks to kid-friendly options like mild chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, naan, rice, and gulab jamun. The menu lists many vegetarian and some vegan items, but allergy safety is mixed in reviews—those with severe allergies should speak clearly with staff and proceed cautiously.

At a Glance

Warm hospitality with hands-on owner and attentive servers
Classic North Indian flavors and strong tandoor options
Broad vegetarian and vegan choices clearly labeled
Reports of slow pacing and delayed checks on busy nights
Multiple reports of surprise surcharge/auto-gratuity and allergy mishandling

What Sets It Apart

hands-on_owner_hospitality
broad_vegetarian_vegan_menu
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What People Love

Owner and staff make guests feel cared for
Rich, balanced gravies and tender meats
Generous portions that satisfy
Inviting, classy-casual ambiance

Points of Concern

Service delays for mains and check during peak hours appear intermittently
Serious allergy handling complaints including nuts flagged yet served
Surprise surcharge or auto-gratuity reported by multiple tables; risk of double-tipping
Flavor inconsistency: some diners find certain dishes bland or too sweet

Service & Dining Experience

Service StyleTable Service Average Cost$48-62 per person ReservationsRecommended

What to Order

For vegetarians: Palak Paneer ($20) plus Garlic Naan ($6) and Yellow Daal ($17) for balance
Seafood lovers: Salmon Tikka Jalfrezi ($29) with Lemon Rice ($8)

Perfect For

Comforting curry night near Madison Square Park
Business dinners with varied dietary needs
Group celebrations needing tandoor platters
Date night in a cozy setting

Location Insights

Area: Professional Midtown South/NoMad corridor; after-work and date-night crowd with hotel and office mix.

Safety: Busy, well-lit streets; generally safe with steady foot traffic into late evening.

Nearby: Near Madison Square Park, offices, boutique hotels, and other Indian restaurants on Lexington (Curry Hill).

Murray HillMurray Hill offers a vibrant dining scene with a mix of casual eateries, trendy bars, and upscale restaurants catering primarily to working professionals and residents. The area is lively during weekdays with a steady flow of lunch and after-work crowds, and it maintains a relatively safe and accessible urban atmosphere.

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Monday11:30–14:45, 17:00–22:00 Tuesday11:30–14:45, 17:00–22:00 Wednesday11:30–14:45, 17:00–22:00 Thursday11:30–14:45, 17:00–22:00 Friday11:30–14:45, 17:00–22:15 Saturday11:30–14:45, 17:00–22:15 Sunday11:30–14:45, 17:00–22:00

Available: Reservations, Delivery, Takeout

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