While Australian restaurateurs are migrating to NYC to stake their claim on barista-made coffees and avocado toast, Babu Ji has taken a different route by bringing their take on elevated Indian cuisine. Run by genial husband-and-wife team Jessi and Jennifer Singh, the restaurant may be their first venture outside of Melbourne, but is in fact their fourth iteration of creating progressive Indian dining that’s a cut above that weekday take-out meal.

To get a good sense of the food offering, the best way to go is the tasting menu ($50). Then help yourself to a James Boag or a Cooper’s Pale Ale (some great Australian brews sitting amongst an impressive selection of craft beers in the self-serve beer fridge), enjoy the convivial atmosphere and let the kitchen determine your fate that night.

You will be treated to some wonderful selections like the Gol Gappa, a favorite street snack which is an explosive flavor bomb consisting of a crispy shell filled with sweet chutney, or some of the prettiest Indian sharing plates you’ve ever seen like Tandoori Chicken, Paneer Tikka and Yoghurt Kebabs. You’ll probably want a second helping of the raw scallop served with a deliciously velvety and intense coconut curry sauce.

And then there’s the course of curries that come in individual bowls accompanied by papadums, basmati rice and naan. You can tell a lot of care and patience has gone into preparing the dishes – the daal is rich and the goat curry falls off the bone – but what’s surprising is that unlike the curries many New Yorkers are familiar with, Babu Ji’s are refreshingly light and aren’t unnecessarily over-spiced with chilies, so that the freshly ground spices come through.

As a finale, each person is given a traditional metal kulfi mould and inside there’s a frozen creamy mixture of sweetened milk, pistachios and cardamom that you simply pull out like a popsicle to enjoy.

Australians have already taken on coffee and ”˜brekkie’ in NYC but the opening of Babu Ji is sending us exciting signals that Australian restaurateurs have more than one trick up their sleeve.

http://www.babujinyc.com/

Babu Ji NYC
175 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009
(212) 951-1082

Outside Babu Ji NYC ”“ Photo: Mikey Pozarik, courtesy of Babu Ji NYC

Inside Babu Ji NYC ”“ Photo: Mikey Pozarik, courtesy of Babu Ji NYC

Paneer Tikka ”“ Photo: Mikey Pozarik, courtesy of Babu Ji NYC

Yogurt Kebab ”“ Photo: Hilary Walker, courtesy of Babu Ji NYC

Cardamom, Pistachio & Honey Kulfi ”“ Photo: Mikey Pozarik, courtesy of Babu Ji NYC

Queenie is Melting Butter’s NYC-based correspondent hailing all the way from Melbourne Australia. A true culture vulture, Queenie’s writing has appeared on sites like Portable.tv but for Melting Butter, she’ll be exploring her thirst for all things travel and food related. Join her on her hunt for the best cheap, authentic eats in NYC’s Chinatown! Read about Queenie’s favorite hotspots here

(Feature Image: Anjeer Kofta by Mikey Pozarik courtesy of Babu Ji NYC)

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