Benares Menu

Benares Restaurant Review:

Despite its moniker --- Benares is the name of the Hindu holy city of Varanasi in northern India --- this Midtown restaurant serves dishes from all over the subcontinent. And, much like its sibling of the same name in TriBeCa, they do it quite well. Start with the pan-seared scallops covered in a cilantro, tomatillo, mango and tomato relish. Or try the crab milagu, lump crab dipped into a dangerously good garlic, pepper and tomato sauce. Then move on to stuffed peppers and baby eggplant simmering in a peanut buttery curry sauce. Equally nutty (metaphorically and on the palate) is the Rajasthani lamb wading in an almond, garlic and ginger sauce. Or opt for a biryani, a flavorful mix of basmati rice, saffron and rosewater with veggies, goat or shrimp. Finish things off with the agreeably not-too-sweet cottage cheese dumplings, or pistachio Indian ice cream served with biscotti and fresh berries. Pair your meal with a Viognier from Greece or a New Zealand Pinot Noir. The wine list is impressive, but don't miss the whisky trolley.