Flashy East Village Indian w/ unpretentious, memorable dishes like enhanced daal & slow-cooked lamb. Perfect for groups!
Bryan Kim reviews Bungalow, an East Village restaurant channeling retro Indian members clubs, praising its unpretentious and memorable Indian cuisine, from enhanced daal to slow-cooked lamb.
This East Village spot offers a flashy yet unpretentious take on Indian cuisine, channeling the vibe of retro Indian members' clubs. Helmed by a celebrity chef, the restaurant boasts a visually striking ambiance with a skylit dining room adorned with jasmine vines. The menu tells personal stories through its dishes, from enhanced daal to slow-cooked lamb, offering hearty portions that are perfect for sharing.
The restaurant serves Indian cuisine with a focus on unpretentious yet memorable dishes. Standout items include enhanced daal, Anarkali chicken, and Rajasthani pulled lamb. However, some diners find certain dishes, like the Smoked Sweet Potato Chaat, to be uninspired, and others have experienced issues with cold bread and rice. The chai is noted as a solid offering.
"The Anarkali chicken is frequently praised for its tenderness and flavor. Other dishes noted positively include the daal, Rajasthani pulled lamb, and spice-roasted pineapple. The chai is also considered a good option."
Customer feedback is divided, with some praising the unpretentious yet memorable Indian cuisine and hearty portions, while others find the restaurant overhyped and lacking in authentic flavor, comparing it unfavorably to other Indian establishments.
Important Note
Some diners find the restaurant overhyped and that the focus is more on ambiance and celebrity chef status than food quality. Specific dishes like the yogurt kebab and breads have been criticized, and some have experienced issues with cold rice and oily bread. Reservations can be difficult to secure.
"Bungalow is mentioned as a highly anticipated restaurant with attainable reservations."
Positive"The commenter found Bungalow to be overrated."
Negative"The commenter finds Bungalow good but too difficult to secure reservations for."
Neutral"The commenter simply states that Bungalow is not worth it."
Negative"The commenter advises against Bungalow, stating it's not worth the effort."
Negative"The commenter states that getting a reservation at Bungalow is practically impossible and suggests it's trendy rather than among the best."
Negative"This user suggested that Uber's package delivery option could be used to transport food from Chef Nupur (in Queens) to Manhattan, acknowledging it might be expensive."
Neutral"This user recommended Chef Nupur, based in Queens, noting she is helpful and can accommodate specific requests. They provided an Instagram link."
Positive"Bungalow was recommended, with a note that getting a reservation might be necessary."
Positive"The author rated the Chicken Anakarli 8/10, noting the very friendly service and solid food, but it didn't particularly wow them."
Positive"A commenter offered to help the original poster secure a table for one at Bungalow NYC, indicating they have connections there."
Neutral"A commenter advised the original poster to inform Bungalow NYC about the friend's cancellation and consider sitting at the bar if dining alone, especially since a deposit was likely paid for the second seat."
Neutral"A commenter explained that some restaurants, like Bungalow NYC, may not be ideal for solo diners, especially concerning reservations and a menu designed for sharing. They suggested requesting a bar seat if dining alone."
Negative"A commenter suggested that Bungalow NYC's menu is ideal for larger groups due to the variety of tasty items available for sharing."
Positive"After learning the bar serves the full menu, the commenter confirmed Bungalow NYC is delicious and recommended dining there."
Positive"A commenter corrected previous information, stating that Bungalow NYC has been serving the full menu at the bar for several months."
Positive"A commenter mentioned that Bungalow NYC has a bar area at the front, but initially stated it didn't serve the full menu."
Neutral"A commenter noted that solo dining is common in NYC and should not be an issue at Bungalow NYC."
Positive"A commenter expressed confusion about why Bungalow NYC might not be friendly to solo diners, stating that solo dining is a norm in NYC and people generally mind their own business. They suggested keeping the reservation for two and enjoying the meal."
Neutral"The original poster updated their experience dining solo at Bungalow NYC, stating they had a phenomenal time. The staff were courteous and accommodating when their friend canceled, and they were seated at a table. The commenter would recommend it."
Positive
