Contact Information
The Spectator
Worth Getting off the Hill for: Minar Fine Indian Cuisine
by Kari Arneson '10Features Writer
October 09, 2009
Got a craving for curry? Been dreaming about naan? For affordable and authentic Indian food, look no further than Minar Fine Indian Cuisine. Conveniently located in both Utica and a newly opened branch in Clinton, Minar is the perfect place to get your Indian food fix.
On Saturday night I drove to the Minar in Utica and walked into a building that looked more like a log cabin than an Indian restaurant. But inside, although the atmosphere was a bit rustic, a wonderful smell overwhelmed me as a friendly waiter seated us right away.
When our orders came, all our food barely fit on the table. There was naan, unlimited rice and our own bowls of chicken or lamb and vegetables covered in mouth-watering sauces. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, which, combined with piles of rice and freshly-baked naan, was absolutely wonderful.
As you may have guessed by now, I am no connoisseur of Indian cuisine. But at Minar, you don't have to be. The menu is easy to understand and you can specify to the waiter how spicy you want your dish. A great thing about Indian food is its numerous vegetarian options, which at Minar are specially indicated on the menu. The food at Minar shouldn't scare away non-enthusiasts of Indian food because it isn't too spicy and you know what you're getting when you order. Plus, there's something for everyone.
You might have tried some food from Minar before without ever having gotten off the hill. Some groups on campus, such as the Asian Cultural Society, have Minar cater for special events like Diwali. But besides these rare occasions, you won't find a whole lot of great Indian food on campus, unless Commons or McEwen drastically change their daily menus.
For this reason, Minar is the perfect place for students. The food offered there is definitely different from the food you'd normally find on campus. Plus, with a new location in Clinton, it's even easier to get to now, and a walk down the hill is definitely worth it. The service was good as the waiters and hostess were friendly and attentive. Lastly, the prices were very reasonable, especially based on how much food you get, with entrees ranging from approximately $9 to $14. At the Utica location, you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet on Tuesdays for around $12.
With family weekend coming up in a couple of weeks, why not add Minar to your list of restaurants to go to with your parents? Of the many ethnic restaurants in the Utica area, you can impress your parents by bringing them to one of the best. Plus they're paying anyway, right?
The Minar in Clinton is located on College Hill Rd next to Lil' Tex Mex and across the street from the Dessert Booth. The Minar in Utica is located on 609 French Rd and the Minar in Utica is on 2636 Genesee St.