Rahi Awards

Rahi Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: When chef Chintan Pandya (Junoon) and restaurateur Roni Mazumdar opened Rahi, a popular Indian bistro in the West Village, their objective was to bring “artisanal Indian cuisine” to a city dominated by repetitive, lackluster Indian restaurants. Rahi, meaning "traveler" in Hindi, succeeds in droves. The bi-level room features a long bar and cozy seating, decorated with a black and gold mural by artists Yok & Sheryo.

Likes: Unusual flavor combinations in the dishes.
Dislikes: Some sauces can be overpowering.

Food & Drinks: The menu blends Eastern and Western Indian cuisines and ranges from multi-ingredient dishes unusual on an Indian menu, like tangra octopus adorned with a fragrant mix of cloves and coriander on a bed of squid ink porridge with a calamansi aïoli, to vegetarian creations such as 6 Chili 5 Spice Cauliflower served with spaghetti squash and lemon; taza chana tikki, a chickpea and hummus mix; or chili cheese toast made with Amul cheese, a favorite in India. Most, like the popular saunf lamb chops and banana leaf chicken, have familiar bases but are prepared in ways that hint at a higher culinary pedigree and mission. Even the desserts go well past traditional rice pudding; try the Mumbai Mawa cake or falooda, each with a myriad of ingredients that warrant explanation and trial. If you’re not sure what to order, Rahi offers two changing Chef’s tastings each night that can guide you. Cocktails and beer are especially interesting. Unusual for an Indian restaurant, the well-curated wine list spans the globe with a dozen choices by the glass. But it’s the cuisine and friendly service that will bring you back again and again. Of note, Rahi is always looking for new, creative takes on dining, and the back room serves as a playground of sorts for the team’s imagination.