About Us:
Sangam is a Kosher Indian restaurant under the joint supervision of
the Ashkenaz and Sefardi chief rabbis of Modi'in.  It is owned and run
by Melvin Morris, a resident of Lapid, who made aliyah from his native
Calcutta 32 years ago. Melvin also owns two non-Kosher (shame!) "Indira"
restaurants in Herzlia and Tel Aviv.
Sangam recently moved to a new location in the Ligad Center, Modiin. This is a new
and spacious restaurant.
Getting There:
From Rt 443 coming toward Modiin from Tel-Aviv: At the first traffic light past Mevo Modi'in, right into Modiin and an immediate right passed a new Paz petrol station. Continue straight. At the end of this road you will see the Ligad Center on your right.
The Restaurant:
We were delighted to find such a lovely restaurant in this out of the
way location. The atmosphere, captured by dimmed ceiling lights and
candles reminded me of the Indian Diwali festival of light that comes
in the calendar about a month before Chanukah. The tables are covered
in linen tablecloths and napkins. The tables, though close together,
are not too close and allow everyone to eat and speak to his/her fellow
diners without being disturbed by their neighbors. There are children's
high chairs and a menu to satisfy their occupants.
This was my second visit to this lovely restaurant. The first was with
my family. At that time we were given a warm welcome by Jagdish, the
Indian maitre d' who explained everything to us and, duly understanding
of the fact that our children would have preferred to be in a fast food
joint, obliged them with French fries and barbecued chicken wings, while
we filled up on the genuine Indian dishes that await the diner's choice.
 Jagdish, though not Jewish himself, knew all the answers and went out
of his way to assure us that none of the non-Jewish staff touched the
wine, which is served with a napkin wrapped around the bottle. For the
attention that he gave us, Jagdish could have been the owner. Perhaps
that's a measure of why the place is so successful! It's not only the
wonderful food, but also the atmosphere and the way you are treated
that make Sangam a pleasure to visit. Menschlichkeit and courtesy abounds.
As you get settled at your table, you are served a half glass of warm
red wine punch that is brought to the table with the menu. It's a house
special and is a nice way of welcoming patrons. It would be impossible
to describe every type of meat and dish in a review but I will satisfy
myself by letting you know that variety abounds on the Sangam menu.
There is also due recognition of the vegetarian visitor who I assure
you will not go away hungry. Indeed, if you don't want to eat Indian,
there's also Chinese, Italian and Sushi on the menu.
The starters include several chicken-based dishes and several non-meat
dishes. There are a variety of soups and salads including one Indian-style
salad. The main menu offers chicken, beef and fish dishes. There are
rice and meat dishes, mixed vegetable and plain rice offerings. In case
you're still looking for toppings for all that, there is a list vegetable
dishes. Spoilt for choice - you bet y'are!
The menu also has a further nine recommended dishes. I think that means
I will have to go back many more times to complete this review and I
can't wait! Oh, by the way, there's also dessert - which can be a fairly
simple fruit salad or parve ice cream or home made fried bananas or
pineapple (yummy!). They do not serve traditional Indian popadoms because
of Kashrut restrictions.
Just in case you'd like to know what we ate, here are the dishes that
we enjoyed: Mean nan (Indian bread stuffed with mince meat and spices)
- choice of coriander mint, coconut and tamarind sauces) Beef Kashmiri
Rogangosh (beef cooked in a special blend of spices, fruit and tomato
sauce) Kashmiri Pallau (Basmati rice cooked with fruit) Mixed Grill:
Shish kebab (mince meat - deliciously tender), chicken kebab Chicken
Afghani, Chicken Reshmi and Chicken Tikka - all marinated in a variety
of sauces and grilled tandoour-style. Some of the meat we were served
was so tender; it could have been eaten by someone with no teeth! The
rice is so fine that you don't realize you are heaping the second, third
and even fourth portion of it onto your plate to try another sauce and
another meat dish.
There is a good range of wines - predominantly red, but white wine is
also available. You can also find the full range of soft drinks, beer
(bottled not draught) and stronger alcoholic beverages.
 Much appreciated by this reviewer was the overall cleanliness and tidiness
of the place. The "netillat yadayim" station is both tidy and easily
accessible and there are also "birchonim" available for grace after
meals. Another nice touch is the restrooms. The toilets are spotlessly
clean and the area between the two toilets contains a sink, "natla"
and the "asher yotzar" blessing in nice large print (Sefardi version)
on the wall.
In the summer, patrons can eat on the patio. Owner Melvyn Morris promises
a succa on the holiday. Sangam is a popular restaurant, so be sure to
make reservations before coming.
Business lunches Sunday through Thursday: NIS 35 per person Friday:
NIS 45 per person Diners are advised to reseve: Tel/Fax: 08-976-1972
or Tel. 08-976-2220
Take Away and Catering:
In addition to the restaurant facility, Melvin also offers a take-away
service to the Greater Modi'in area and caters private parties in much
of the Sharon and Dan regions, taking everything from the plates to
the tables with him.
No party is too large for him, he assures me with the modest self-confidence
of someone who has studied his art and knows he is doing things right.
Sangam has a separate
party room. The room, with seating for up to 120 people, has its own
entrance but is connected to the restaurant through an arch-shaped passageway.
The back wall has an arch where one can easily picture a Kisei Eliyahu
for a brit.
The party room is also suitable for small gatherings. On the night we
were there, the restaurant hosted a birthday party for about 20 people.
Tables were arranged in a U-shape.
True to the warmth of the occasion and the hospitality that is such
a trademark of Sangam, Jagdish, our favorite waiter, who many have oftentimes
mistaken for Melvin, the owner, was standing there feeding the celebrants
and telling them jokes in his own special way.
The Sangam party room includes round eight-seater tables, a bar, and
two very comfortable looking nargila corners.
Amenities: As always, we took a good look at the restrooms and I am
pleased to report that you will find the highest standards of cleanliness
and hygiene there too.
From: Jeremy Date: December 05. Description: Went to check out the newly
located Sangam in Kfar Ruth on December 6 for a wedding anniversary celebration.
The physical has changed but the food and value for money remain faithful
to my original review. I remain a faithful fan of this wonderful restaurant
and wish Melvyn and his great staff, led by Jagdish and Dev, a long and
successful future. If you haven't been there, a meal for four with wine
and more than you can manage to eat, will cost you a most reasonable price
and you'll be looking forward to your next visit before this one has finished!
From: Howard
and Debbie Date: February, 2004. Description:I'm
not into writing descriptive reports but we thoroughly enjoyed our night
out at the Sangam (Kosher Indinian) Restaurant in Lapid. It was most definitely
out of the ordinary, with great service, unique atmosphere and most important
- really tasty cuisine. For a special occasion this was an ideal location
for us - and indeed for any "north Jerusalem" residents, who will find
it little further than travelling to a restaurant in the middle of town
or certainly the south side of town. The Eluna discount coupon meant that
we both ate plenty of all courses and still had change of 200 shekel (including
service charge) and even had excess food wrapped for take away (I would
elaborate more but I'm not really sure of exactly what we ate!!) Thanks
again and keep up the good work!
From: mincruiser@hotmail.com Date: March 6, 2003. Description: I went to Sangam's last night with my husband and 10 year old son for
my birthday. It was wonderful!!! The food is excellent - absolutely delicious,
large portions, and served piping hot. I had the Tandoori salmon and it
was amazingly good. The Indian onion rings I had for a first course were
superb as well. Kids can eat there as well with no problem as they also
have pastas on the menu and my son thoroughly enjoyed his spaghetti bolonaise.
Even better than the food at Sangam was the service. Our waiter was polite,
considerate, and very professional. And he even sang me Happy Birthday
when he served the delicious parve ice cream for dessert. This restaraunt
gets a 10+.
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