is finally opening to the public tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 18, on 12th Avenue just north of Broadway.
Announced in the spring of 2013, it has been one of the most eagerly anticipated restaurant openings of the year, particularly for those of us who have been following the progress of the space on
Facebookand
Twitter. Chef Maneet Chauhan has also been teasing us with special appearances, dance parties and pop-ups throughout the year.
I attended the pop-up that Chef Chauhan hosted at POP in July. I have to admit that prior to that I was only mildly interested. (Partly due to what I consider a wealth of good Indian food in the city, and partly due to some celebrity chef fatigue, I think.) But my enthusiasm geared up after tasting the food, meeting the skilled and personable chef and learning more about the concept of the restaurant (Indian-British gastropub).
Much of the menu for the evening was vegetarian, and those items that weren’t vegetarian were thoughtfully swapped out for those of us who don't eat meat. We started with a small pani puri (a hollow puffy bread) with potato and garbanzo beans, cilantro and tamarind chutney. It’s Indian “street food,” so we were given instructions on how to eat it properly. That was followed by a curried scallop that was a big hit at the table, though I noticed several people eyeing the version on my plate, which featured hearts of palm as a very clever substitution. There was also a gazpacho, charred peach and tomato salad, and a lamb shank for the omnivores. My main course did not have a substitution, but it didn’t need it; I was very satisfied with the sides, which included a fantastic daal makhani. We ended the meal with an Indian-style whoopie pie flavored with saffron and cardamom.
Aside from serving spectacular and exciting food, the chef herself is a joyful and exciting person. Her personality comes through in her food. Chauhan is the kind of chef who clearly cooks because she loves it and feels honored when people eat and enjoy her food. She is gracious, kind and cheerful and genuinely happy to share her food with you. With each course, she made appearances at the tables to explain where the recipes came from and what her inspirations were. Some of the recipes were her own creation and some were from her family. It all felt very special.
Many of the items served at the pop-up dinner are available on the opening menu, which will change seasonally and include plenty of specials. When (not if!) you go, be sure to check out the cocktail menu, which is among the most unique I’ve ever seen due to the Indian influence. It even includes a variation on the old stand-by Jack and Coke, made with Jack Daniel's and India's famous Thums Up cola.
123 12th Ave. N.
Open nightly 5 to 11 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Nov. 18
