Mainland India - The Regional Curry House

Mainland India (296 Bleecker Street, corner of 7th Avenue South, New York, NY 10014; 212.989.1367) is a new, regional curry house located in the West Village in the space that was formerly Rangoli, and prior to that Mitali West. Owner/Executive Chef Kausik Roy is basing his authentic Indian menu on the various regions of India, distinguishing dishes between the North, South, East and West. Not only are the flavors Roy uses indigenous to India's different countries, but so are the original plate names.

Mainland India's regional cuisine brings guests on a sort of journey through India. For starters, guests may select one of Roy's tasty appetizers, such as Shamm Savera ($6), spinach cups filled with spiced cottage cheese, tomato, honey and lemon rice, or Calamari Trio ($8), calamari stir-fried with bell pepper, tomato, onion and curry leaves. Aside from classic Curries, Kababs and Breads, including a unique Khandahari Naan ($4) filled with raisins and cherries, Roy's specialty dishes include Chicken Chettinad ($13), a South Indian "devilled" chicken curry in a black pepper and tamarind sauce, Malwani Masa ($17), an aromatic Konkan fish curry flavored by roasted garlic and coriander, and Lamb Pasanda ($14), tender lamb pieces in a mild tomato cashew sauce, which is a North Indian delicacy. Roy also offers regional specials such as Chicken Tikka Masala ($14), which is a Northern "Mughol" dish, as well as plates influenced by the French and Portuguese, including Bengali Fish Curry ($17), a stewed fish with potato and cauliflower. In addition, Roy creates wonderful vegetable specialties, such as Kathal Malai Kofta ($12), young jack fruit and cottage cheese dumplings in a mild almond cream sauce.

Mainland India's logo resembles a compass shaped like a lotus flower, the national flower of India, representing a unifying metaphor for its regional Indian menu. Roy uses lotus roots in various forms and menu items, including his flavorful curries, such as Kokur Nadru ($12.95), a Kashmiri chicken curry with lotus root and onion seeds. For dessert, Roy serves a delicious Bread Pudding ($6), and offers four wines by the glass ($7) as well as a quality selection of white and red wine bottles ($28-45).

With its prime location on the SW corner of Bleecker and 7th Avenue, Mainland India allows guests to enjoy their meals with a wonderful street side view from both the ground floor and upstairs dining room, which is naturally lit by its large sky light rooftop and open pane windows that are treated with sliding off-white shades. Combining large gray booth banquettes and white table clothed two- and four-tops, the minimally decorated two-story space seats 100 people upstairs and 40 downstairs, including four at the front bar. On the first floor, guests can catch a glimpse of the kitchen through a partially open kitchen window located in the back of the restaurant. Roy plans to add Indian fabrics and contemporary artwork to the walls, and replace the restaurant's carpeting with a wood panel floor.
Open seven days a week for lunch buffet ($9.99) and a la carte dinner, plus a weekend brunch buffet ($13.99), Mainland India is bringing New Yorkers an indigenous taste of India in a comfortable ambience at neighborhood friendly prices. For more information, logon to www.mainlandindiany.com. Reservations can be secured at 212.989.1367.

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