A Look Inside Baazi, the Upper West Side’s Newest Indian Restaurant

In late January, Chef Gaurav Anand opened Baazi at 2588 Broadway (at 97th Street), previously home to Awadh, which he ran at the site because 2014.

“Gaurav’s cooking model has progressed into a exceptional own vision that weaves in influences and ingredients from the Mediterranean and South Asia to provide unexpected flavors and lighter dishes,” reads a push statement. You will not obtain traditional Indian fare on Baazi’s menu.

Some noteworthy plates include Chicken Cafreal and Trout Recheado, both of those Goan specialties with Portuguese influences Cod Koliwada fish and chips with Gaurav’s signature okra fries and a papadam-crusted yogurt kebab and tamarind glazed lamb ribs.

Chicken Cafreal – photo by Evan Sung

Fish Koliwada – photo by Evan Sung

Glazed Lamb Ribs – picture by Evan Sung

Baaz foregoes samosas, paneer or chana masala, alternatively showcasing Gaurav’s special vegetarian takes on kebabs, butter rooster and more.

Papad Kebab (open up box) – picture by Evan Sung

The identify Baazi (‘bet’ in Hindu) references Gaurav’s decision to consider a chance on a different, far more complex principle, even with the difficulties of the pandemic, whilst his other restaurants focus on regional cuisines.

Even though still rooted in Indian culinary custom, Baazi forgoes large dishes, hearty flavors and powdered spices, as a substitute coaxing natural flavors out of uncooked components. For example, as a substitute of powdered coriander, Gaurav employs total roasted coriander seeds.

Gaurav Anand arrived in the U.S. a lot more than twelve a long time in the past with a dream of creating it in New York. Starting with Bhatti Indian Grill, he constructed a team of a few NYC dining places including New York Occasions two-star Moti Mahal Delux and Awadh, as perfectly as dining places in New Delhi and Goa. He also introduced his substantial-close catering corporation, working on weddings all-around the world from Mexico and the Caribbean to Italy and France to Turkey. When the pandemic strike, his activities have been canceled and he spent the time developing new recipes.

Baazi’s two-degree house has been developed to evoke a Mediterranean truly feel with a lively blue and yellow palette, Instagram-worthy flower wall, and a are living indoor olive tree. A new heated 24-seat outside eating region recollects the sensation of sitting in a café in Morocco or Turkey. There is no shipping or takeout, a initial for Gaurav as Baazi is made to be a restaurant dining experience.

The bar – photograph by Evan Sung

The upstairs dining area – image by Evan Sung

Primary flooring eating home – photograph by Evan Sung

To study much more about the new restaurant, take a look at baazi.us.

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