Papadums - the crisp, lentil wafers flavored with cumin seeds that often start or accompany an Indian meal - were familiar but the three kinds of chutney that went with them were not. Each was a complex medley of spices and herbs that included mint, cilantro, ginger, green chilies, spring onions, Garam Masala (itself, a blend of spices) and more.

This was the overture to a dinner at Indian Express, which opened on Murray Street in October, 2008, specializing in Awadhi cuisine from North India.

"We have genuine Indian food," said owner Chandra Shekhar Gowda. "It isn't fusion."

Durga Prasa and Alexander Paul Xalxo, Mr. Gowda's chefs, unroll a parade of subtly spiced food, offset by cooling raita (homemade yogurt whipped with grated cucumbers, roasted cumin seeds and cilantro, $3.95). Beverages include moderately priced wine, or as a perfect partner to the spices, mango lassis (mango pulp churned with yogurt and sprinkled with cardamoms, $4.50).

Cochin crab cakes with a crisp coating of panko (a breadcrumb used in Japanese cuisine, $9.95) are a stand-out on the appetizer menu, as is lasooni gobhi (stir-fried cauliflower florets sautéed with garlic, ginger and tomato purée, $6.95).

Many of the entrées are prepared in a tandoor (clay oven) and include prawns, Cornish hens, quails, chicken, lamb and a variety of vegetables. There are also a large selection of curries and several kinds of biryani (marinated meat or vegetables mixed with basmati rice).

"Most of the spices used in Indian cooking are based on Ayurvedic philosophy," Mr. Gowda commented. For example, he said, "Certain foods help in digesting, keep eyesight clear or act as a diuretic."

The setting is tranquil: a high-ceilinged room with the soothing sound of water coursing down a panel in one wall. This in itself could be good medicine these days.


Indian Express, 18 Murray St. (between Broadway and Church). 212-608-5555. E-mail: indianexpressnyc@gmail.com Open daily for lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for dinner, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. All-you-can-eat lunch buffet, $13.95. Delivery available.



Indian Express chef Alexander Paul Xalxo is flanked by the restaurant's owner, Chandra Shekhar Gowda, and his son, Dheeraj Gowda, assistant manager. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer)

Community Board 1's Full Board monthly meeting takes place tonight. Agenda:

I.  Public Hearings
    Public Hearing on Mayor's Preliminary Budget for fiscal year 2009  
    (3 minutes per speaker) To view document go to www.nyc.gov/html/omb/html/home/home.shtml
II.  Public Session           
     Comments by members of the public (3 minutes per speaker)
III. Business Session
      A)  Adoption of Minutes
      B)  Chairperson's Report           J. Menin
      C)  District Manager's Report   N. Pfefferblit
IV.  Committee Reports
      A)  Street Fair Task Force          B. Love
            Discussion with Joe Giovanni of Mardi Gras Festival Productions regarding financial arrangements and locations for a possible "holiday fair" to be sponsored by CB1 in late 2009.  Related discussion of financial arrangements and potential locations for any other park-related fairs that could be sponsored by CB1 in 2009 - Report
       B)  Waterfront Committee         R. Townley
             1) Governors Island, SLA application for liquor license for Great Performances Artists as Waitresses Inc/New York Water Taxi -  Resolution
             2)  Hudson River Park Trust Update - Report
       C)  Combined Financial District, Tribeca and Seaport/Civic Committees  R. Sheffe
Financial District Committee
             1)  Presentation on Peter Minuit Plaza - Report
             2)  Presentation on NY 400 Dutch Pavilion - Report
             3)  *Proposal for newsstand at northwest corner of Greenwich and Barclay Streets  -                 Resolution
             4) *27 Park Place aka 24 Murray St., renewal of liquor license for MXK Restaurant Corp.             d/b/a Remix - Possible resolution  
             5)  *Continuation of item from Feb. 4th meeting agenda regarding location for street permit application by Community Board No. 1 on Friday, July 10, 2009
            6) 19 Rector St., application for on-premise liquor license - Resolution
            7) Street closure applications          
            Financial District and Tribeca Committees
             Street closure applications
            Financial District and Seaport/Civic Center Committees
              Street closure applications
       D)  Tribeca Committee          C. DeSaram
              1) Street closure applications
              2) 11 Hubert St., CPC application for special Permit pursuant to section 111-50 of the Zoning Resolution to allow conversion from office and storage use to residential use on second and third floor - Resolution
              3) Proposed Street Co-Naming - Southeast Corner of Canal Street and Cortland Alley for Dr. Thomas Tam by Chinatown Health Clinic Foundation - Resolution
              4) Liquor license applications
        E)  Planning and Community Infrastructure Committee     J. Galloway
              1)  Columbia University Planning Studio - Report
              2)  48-52 Franklin St. 421-a Tax Abatement Application - Report
              3)  City Land Use Review Process - Report
              4)  New York City Charter Revision - Report
         F)  Battery Park City Committee          L. Belfer
              1)  Report on presentation about WTC underpass currently being constructed from the N.W. corner of the site to the WFC Wintergarden by Clarelle Degraffe, Glenn Guzzi and Quentin Brathwaite of the Port Authority
              2)  Report on odor associated with Flight 1549 and remediation and communication issue - Resolution
              3)  Report on security at WFC, the Vesey Street Bridge and signage issues  
              4) Report on issues covered by Leticia Remauro, Vice President for Community Relations on Battery Park City Authority issue
         G)  Seaport/Civic Center Committee          J. Fratta
              1) South Street Seaport - Pier 17, application for Summer Vessel Liquor License for Nautical Gourmet Inc. vessel "Clipper City"- Resolution
              2) 125 Fulton St., BSA special permit application for operation of physical culture establishment - Resolution
              3)  Peck Slip Post Office - Resolution
        H)  WTC Redevelopment Committee          M. Connolly
              1)  New York City Department of Health Guidelines to Assist in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Children and Adolescents Exposed to the World Trade Center Disaster - Resolution
              2)  Update on the National September 11 Memorial & Museum - Report
              3)  Presentation on Strengthening the Safety, Oversight and Coordination of Construction, Demolition and Abatement Operations - Report
              4)  Presentation about World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program - Report
              5)  Update, including 130 Liberty St./Deutsche Bank - Report
      I)  Quality of Life Committee            P. Moore
              1)  Update on Construction Projects in Lower Manhattan - Report
              2)  Discussion about the practice of ticketing residents in District 1 for loading and unloading cars in No Standing or No Loading zones - Report
             3) Discussion of status of John Heuss House with Rev. Winfield Peacock, Executive Director - Report
      J)  Landmarks Committee           R. Byrom
             1)  401-403 Greenwich St., LPC application for replacement of buildings within Tribeca West Historic District -Resolution
             2) 77 Chambers St., LPC application for renovation of storefront -Resolution
             3) Wall Street and Broad Street,  LPC application for approval of historical interpretive markers to be located in the "The Street Plan of New Amsterdam and Colonial New York"  Historic District - Resolution
V.   Old Business
VI.  New Business
VII. Adjournment

PLACE: Pace University, 1 Pace Plaza, Multipurpose Room (between Gold Street and Park Row)
TIME: 6 p.m.
All are welcome to attend.