CLOSED - Poonam Delite (Indian)

(Update 2019-Jul-26): Unfortunately it looks like Poonam Delite has changed format and name to non-buffet biryani place. We expected this as the clientele had been reduced recently and the offerings were getting stale.

Poonam Delite is located at 2658 Danforth Avenue, one block east of Main Street, conveniently close to Main Street subway station.   Poonam Delite is (by far!) the closest AYCE to where we live.   I don't know why it took me so long to get around to writing them up, but it's about time! Poonam is a very small place but has a nice atmosphere.

Vegetable pakoras tasted like they were onion bhaji; very tasty but were a bit dry as pakoras too often are.

Butter chicken sauce was oversweet for my taste but otherwise good and fresh. Naan bread was served hot and freshly baked, quite good and buttery. Curry chicken was delicious; we always love the Poonam version of this dish and the sauce goes so well with rice or naan. Mattar paneer was also quite good and not too sweet. Aloo gobi masala had nice sauce, but was all potatoes and no cauliflower (I guess someone got to it before us.) Tarka dal was delicious, savory and with well-balanced spices. Sag paneer was good with plenty of paneer cubes; this is one of Mishy's favourites. Chana masala was delicious and with excellent sauce; another Poonam favorite for both of us. Unfortunately Poonam had run out of tandoori chicken by the time we arrived which has happened before, so go early! The next day we were able to procure some by arriving at noon, although they may not be serving it for lunch anymore. Their tandoori chicken is worth the effort to find. Basmati rice is fragrant and made even tastier by the addition of unground cumin seeds. Mango chutney had large chunks of mango and was delicious. Coleslaw was good and fresh.

For dessert, six ice creams (butterscotch, mango, lemon-lime, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry) were all good, but Poonam has the the "one cup" rule which most other Indian AYCEs used do but have since done away with… I was able to put several scoops into that one cup so had a decent dessert. Honey balls were delicious with wonderful spicing and a rich honey sauce; probably the best I have ever had and Mishy agreed and loved them. Lunch is $11.99, dinner is $13.99 currently. This a good price where so many other places have "gentrified." Poonam has pretty standard Indian AYCE options, but they are done well enough that it is a good place for a casual lunch or dinner without breaking the bank.

Rating: 8/10