THE PLACE: Even though I had read about and bookmarked Fonty’s, it felt like a real undiscovered hidden gem when I accidentally wandered by one day in the maze-like streets of the West Village. Inside there are lots of tempting food products (mostly Indian or Indian-inspired and influenced) with colorful designs and intriguing flavors. The front section is a crowded sandwich counter with an array of these provisions. In the back, is another hidden gem (that you could easily miss) of a dining room with a few cozy tables and serene atmosphere.
THE DISH: The menu of sandwiches with bold Indian flavors is not your typical line-up at a New York deli, but of course, this is not your typical deli. I went with the vegetarian Bombay Sandwich, which was on nicely grilled thin Pullman bread. It was loaded with a helping of spiced-mashed potatoes, salty tangy melted amul cheese, peppers, onions, and a cooling cilantro-mint chutney. With the crispness of the bread, this felt like a handheld order of chaat. It seems like a simple sandwich, but it was packed with flavor and fits right into the hidden gem vibe of this entire spot. Price: $14.75
| FONTY’S DELI + DUKAAN |
| 20 Christopher Street (between Gay Street and Waverly Place), West Village |
| instagram.com/fontysdeli_dukaan |
