Eating at Little Kabab Station in Mount Kisco
On yesterday’s blog, I posted about some adventures in nearby Mount Kisco, New York. On that very same day, I ate at a little gem of a restaurant called Little Kabab Station, located at 31 E. Main Street. Recently, I have discovered a few eating establishments in Mount Kisco that are authentic and quite good. Within New York City, it’s quite easy to find terrific ethnic eateries because there are so many ethnic neighborhoods. In the suburbs, it’s a bit more difficult, but, we all have surprises in our communities and you just need to get out there and be adventurous. Little Kabab Station, which opened last February, tries to use farm fresh local ingredients whenever possible and their packaging materials for take-away orders are durable and compostable. I am very impressed with the quality and flavors of the foods, as well as the prices. It’s also wonderful to see that the dishes are prepared with great attention to detail. When I first ate there several weeks ago, I Tweeted about it and apparently, business picked up considerably. To show her appreciation for the Tweet, owner Bonnie Saran presented me with a beautiful gift of Indian spices. All the best to you, Bonnie and staff, and expect me back again, soon!
1 I was very happy to discover the Little Kabab Station in Mount Kisco.
2 Here I am with the owner, Bonnie Saran.
3 The rather small menu is surprisingly diverse - a choice of little bites, flat grilled bread wraps, assorted kabab platters, curries, biryani, tandoor breads, beverages, and desserts.
4 The decor has many Indian accents.
5 Including the panels covering the ceiling lighting
6 In India, freight trucks are highly ornate like these around the ceiling border.
7 I really enjoy the masala chai, a brew made by steeping water, milk, cardamon, cinnamon, and ginger with Indian tea. It's flavorful and very warming.
8 I was very surprised to find Kandu Sherpa working at Little Kabab Station. She is the charming daughter of Chhiring Sherpa, who works for me!
9 Our lunch came out of the kitchen within minutes of ordering.
10 This is lamb tikka masala in a creamy tomato sauce flavored with fenugreek, a flavorful spice often found in Indian cooking.
11 This is a seekh kabab platter. The minced spiced lamb was cooked on skewers in a clay oven and served on a bed of basmati rice with Bonnie's signature pickled salad on the side.
12 Tender Chicken Malai - first marinated in creamy yogurt and spices, then grilled in the clay oven - also served with basmati rice and the signature salad.
13 Creamy and beautifully spiced raita - a condiment made with yogurt and seasoned with fragrant spices
14 Sweet mango chutney, another condiment
15 And a green chutney made with fragrant herbs and spices
16 Indian flat bread baked in a clay oven - This is a plain nan, which was steamy, moist, and buttery.
17 A nan with fruit and nuts - fabulous!
18 Restaurant manager, Cara Rhabhandari, asked me to sign this card.
19 That's a caricature of me on the front of the card, which says, 'Have yourself a simple, little Easter celebration.'
20 Of course, on the inside, things get very complicated, very fussy, and very silly.
21 Bonnie's gift to me - an Indian spice collection of curry powder, turmeric, cumin, chili, green cardamom pods, cumin seed, and fenugreek
22 I always judge a restaurant's authenticity by its patrons. This gentleman wearing a turban was waiting for a take-out order. Little Kabab Station is very authentic, indeed!
Photos By Martha Stewart and Eliad Laskin
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I took a class on Tuesday about good and bad insects in the garden and plants to invite them in, or deter them. I was quickly making notes and not spelling the whole word, but I think you've just used some of the same words the instructor did, and if I'm unsure when I re-do my notes, I can just look on this Blog and get my spelling correct.
I may be wrong, but if not, your Blog for today is not only very interesting, and delicious looking, but will help with my spelling, too. You can't beat that...two for the price one one.
Thanks, Martha!!
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | May 4th, 2011 at 1:24 am
What a great blog Martha. Bonnie looks really cool and the food superb. I tried Indian food once but the restaurant in my community was not so good. You've inspired me to look for good Indian food or try to make it myself. And you look great. You are just as photogenic au naturel as you are when filming your television show. Happy mom's (and grandmom's!!) day.
Posted by: TommyBoy | May 4th, 2011 at 6:00 am
I adore indian food, I am going to try this place this Derby weekend and pop into the market you featured yesterday. I like the fact that it is approacable. We travel all over for good food, Pizza in Hudson, NY, Sandwiches in Gardiner, NY, Flatbreads in Portalnd, Maine Fish & Chips in Dalkey, Ireland so I hope to add this gem so close to home. The farm looks amazing, keep exploring Martha.
Posted by: Mairead | May 4th, 2011 at 7:53 am
I want to go eat there! The spice gift was beautiful ....as beautiful as the dishes.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | May 4th, 2011 at 8:19 am
Hi Martha,
I wouldn’t be surprised if that restaurant did a booming business in that town. Like who wouldn’t rather eat there than at McDonalds. The food looks delicious and varied and it is nicely decorated and the place looks very clean. I’m not so sure about the seating so close to the windows though but that’s just me. That was nice of Bonnie to gift you with an assortment of spices and no doubt you have just the right recipes for them! Chhiring’s daughter is a little doll – I bet he was happy to know you had run into her. You’re right Martha; we all need to get out in our own communities to see what is here. I did find a similar restaurant not too far away when I was out looking for grape leaves and which I haven’t tried yet but I will. I don’t eat lamb but the chicken and nan look pretty good and so does the rice. Btw, I’ve seen those Martha cards before and wondered what you might think of them. They made you smile so that’s good. Enjoy your day and I hope you got some rest. You looked kind of sleepy at the fascinating Wired Business Conference yesterday that I watched online. Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 4th, 2011 at 8:24 am
-- Hi. Martha's blogs about local weekend activities with avg. people are my favorite. I'd gladly spend hard-earned money at an eatery like Little Kabab Station with its simple authentic fare & colorful space. --
Posted by: Mina I. | May 4th, 2011 at 8:54 am
Martha, I love all of your shows and especially love when your mom is on with you. What a wonderful childhood you must have had! I also loved when you had some of your sibs in the audience, and it was great to hear that some of them work for your company. You must be a good sister.
I want to come to the show. How do I get tickets?
Posted by: Patsy Layer | May 4th, 2011 at 10:40 am
Martha, seems like a nice restaurant, thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | May 4th, 2011 at 10:41 am
Hi Martha, How fortunate that new eating establishments, new product stores, nurserys,etc. are that you present them on your blog and your TV Show as well as on Twitter because their business does pick up a lot! This was a a terrific blog post about Little Kabab Station in Mount Kisco! What a lovely, delightful place to visit! These photos are absolutely fantastic! The cafe is very charming and the food looks very delicious. How fun to see Chhiring's darling, young daughter-bet he was proud of that! My favorite photos were #2, 7,18,&19 because you looked so adorably precious and realistic while enjoying that delightful place!!! You looked so relaxed and happy! That must have been a wonderful weekend visiting much of Mount Kisco and I thank you so much for this fabulous tour! Loved seeing and reading your tweets and twitpics about WIREDBiz on Twitter yesterday-how fascinating! Off to view the Daily Wag again to see what they are showing about the new Petsmart ads with 20% off your new pet products. Thanks so much for sharing again! Have another wonderful, fun day! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 4th, 2011 at 10:47 am
I appreciate that you have a good sense of humor about caricatures of yourself, such as that card. Even in more obvious situations (like the time you were recently on David Letterman and tossed a little food at him) you manage to handle it with poise and good-naturedness.
Love it.
amy @ glass confetti
Posted by: amy | May 4th, 2011 at 11:56 am
The picture of you drinking Indian tea makes me want some right now. Often before bed I will make a pot of Indian tea with decaf tea of course. I put some water in a pot, add the tea bag or loose tea, then pour in some milk, grate ginger,usually lots of it, put that in, bring to an almost boil, add my indian spices, (made for me by an indian gal)strain through a strainer while a pour it in a big mug, then add honey. Its so comforting on those chilly nights or whenever you need a little comfort!
Posted by: Frances | May 4th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
A lovely little spot. And how lovely to be gifted with such exquisite spices!
Posted by: sherey | May 4th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
The food looks really good! I'm glad that they are doing so well!
Posted by: Kristina | May 4th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
I know you have recipes on various websites, but perhaps sometime when you are at these great restaurants you could get a recipe or two from them and put it on too. I'm curious, for instance, the exact ingredients in some of those delicious-looking condiments. Those can be made in a variety of different ways.
Posted by: Chuck Mall | May 4th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Martha, What an interesting little place that looks! That card is fantastic...a little work of art, and very personally done. That's a real keeper. A kind word from you for these businesses is very powerful. They love you for it! Have a great day!
Posted by: Judy | May 4th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Gee, we may have to make a trip up there from White Plains...<3 Indian cuisine!!
Posted by: Dahlia | May 4th, 2011 at 7:07 pm
Martha you look so much better in comfy clothes, less makeup, and imperfect hair. You look like the catering gal of yesteryear. It is a much younger and healthier look. Really amazing!
Hope you come back to Nantucket this summer.
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara Gookin | May 4th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
Will definitely try. I always drive right past Mt. Kisco rushing to get somewhere else. By the way Martha, you look adorable drinking your Chai tea, How do you do it?? So pretty.
Posted by: Liz | May 4th, 2011 at 7:28 pm
Martha, I MISS you!!! When you went to Hallmark, I was cut off from a huge part of my life. You are always so current on all things good in NYC and things that I am so interested in. I am sure there are other people who's cable companies do not carry The Hallmark Channel, who feel the same way I do. I am with AT&T U-Verse and this is my biggest complaint! Please help all of us who miss you, get you back!!! I'll start following your blog....But it just won't be the same.
Posted by: Lynn Felton | May 4th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
Hi I just wanted you to know how much I like your show, My 23 year gransdson loves to watch with me hes a crafter, knits and croches
Posted by: Nancy Ollis | May 6th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Martha, always enjoy your show. Especially like when you talk about your farm and local places as I grew up in Carmel, New York...a little further up the road. Would like to ask you if you have ever heard of winter flour and summer flour? My husband's aunt told me about this when I was making her Italian cookies. Sheila
Posted by: Sheila Willis | May 9th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
We love Little Kabob Station and ate there last night (2.20.12). The new Spice Market one store down is marvelous. Their lassis and fresh pressed juices are devine and they stock a great selection of teas, spices, chutneys and imported Indian products. The owners are extremely nice and there was a star sighting last night: Ghengis Kahn was there!
Posted by: Jonathan Birenbaum | February 21st, 2012 at 1:54 pm