Flashy Indian dining w/ celeb chef. Unpretentious yet memorable cuisine, hearty portions.
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.
Bungalow offers a flashy dining experience in the East Village, with a visually stunning dining room and a menu curated by celebrity chef Vikas Khanna. The cuisine is described as unpretentious yet memorable, featuring a broad survey of Indian dishes with hearty portions suitable for groups.
The food at Bungalow is described as contemporary Indian, with some unique dishes like kataifi-wrapped yogurt kebabs and innovative takes on classics like daal and lamb. While some dishes receive high praise for tenderness and flavor, others, such as breads and rice, have been criticized as subpar. The menu is seen as narrative-driven, with dishes inspired by personal stories.
"The Anarkhali chicken is highlighted as exceptionally tender, and the yogurt kebabs have been described as sublime. Some diners also enjoyed the spiced roasted pineapple and the five cheese kulcha."
Customer feedback is mixed, with some praising the unique dishes and overall experience, while others find the food to be overhyped and mediocre, particularly certain staples.
Important Note
Some diners feel the restaurant is overhyped, with a focus on ambiance and celebrity chef appeal potentially overshadowing the food quality for some. There are conflicting opinions on specific dishes, with some staples like bread and rice receiving criticism.
"Bungalow has already been tried and enjoyed by the commenter."
Positive"Bungalow is mentioned as an Indian restaurant in NY that is not as good as Musaafer."
Negative"For an anniversary, Bungalow is recommended as a worthwhile option if budget allows."
Positive"The user asks for a comparison between Bungalow and Semma for Indian food."
Neutral"Bungalow is recommended for Indian food."
Neutral"This commenter suggests that attempting a walk-in at Bungalow could work if the user is flexible with their plans."
Neutral"Bungalow is listed as a restaurant in Manhattan that the commenter has enjoyed."
Positive"Bungalow is mentioned as a restaurant that is part of the movement to establish Indian cuisine as fine dining."
Positive"The Manhattan relocation of Bungalow is mentioned as frequently recommended on this sub, though the commenter has not yet tried it."
Neutral"The user considered Bungalow for a 'wildcard' meal in Manhattan, seeking fun yet approachable flavors."
Neutral"This commenter inquired if Bungalow has received a Michelin star yet, stating that the place is great."
Positive"This place is recommended as a potential venue for a team dinner, although there is uncertainty about securing a reservation on short notice."
Neutral"The author mentioned Anarkali Chicken at Bungalow as a potential first meat to try."
Positive"The user mentioned trying to book a 3-person reservation for 2 people at Bungalow and it was successful. This was done to get around limited availability for 2-person reservations."
Neutral"The user mentioned Bungalow as a place with a great overall experience they liked the look of."
Neutral"This restaurant was listed as a potential dining suggestion."
Positive"The user recommends Bungalow as a great choice for a birthday dinner in NYC. They also suggest Dhamaka and mention Queens for amazing Indian food."
Positive"This user expresses that they have been itching to try Bungalow."
Positive"This user suggests Bungalow as an alternative to the listed options, along with Indian Accent and Junoon."
Positive"Bungalow is confirmed to be 100% halal and is a good option."
Positive
