URBAN VILLAGE
Contemporary Indian Cuisine
By Joie Ha Photos by Annie VanDan
Tandoori Chicken
Asian fusion restaurants often get it wrong. In an attempt to modernize traditional flavors, this often means that the finished dishes lack the heart and depth of the original recipes. However, Urban Village does it right. Chef Charles Mani combines his rigorous classical culinary training with his familiarity of Indian spices to create dishes that delight both individuals new to Indian cuisine, and customers who grew up eating similar foods. Chef Mani envisions introducing his guests to an entirely new perspective on Indian dining at Urban Village. Public outlook of Indian cuisine has always been plagued by negative stereotypes that the food is greasy, heavy, and not suited for fine dining. Urban Village tackles these stereotypes head-on and provides an experience akin to fancy sit-down restaurants. With fresh ingredients, a staff of culinary experts, and a menu that tantalizes the most discerning of palates—Urban Village offers dishes that excite all guests. The tasting menu, available for an affordable $39, changes depending on the season and availability of ingredients. For our visit, we went with the tasting menu to experience all that Urban Village had to offer. We started with the golgappa —a type of street snack that was minty and refreshing. The next dish, Kale Moong Dal Chaat, was a fried kale salad dish topped with a yogurt dressing. Despite being fried, the dish was not oily or greasy, and instead remained light and delicious with a satisfying crunch in each bite.
18
September 2020 | Restaurant Peek
Tasting Menu
