Restaurant of the Week 'Urban Spice'
1
TO RECOMMEND A RESTAURANT FOR GAIL AND THE RESEARCHERS TO REVIEW, CALL GAIL GERSON-WITTE AT 732-758-0888 OR E-MAIL TO: [email protected]. VISIT MY BLOG: WWW.WINEDINEANDLEISURETIME.COM. RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK, BY GAIL GERSON-WITTE OF WINE AND DINE GAIL GERSON -WITTE Restaurant Writer KEVIN MCALLION Restaurant Researcher Soc. DR. MARVIN MANSKY The NYC Dining Doctor MARALYN HILL President, Int’l Food Wine & Travel Writer’s Assn. DINING CRITIC’S REPORT BETTY WHITE Rest. Researcher Soc. Pres. IVY WINTERS NYC Dining & Travel Writer INNOVATIVE REGIONAL INDIAN CUISINE DINING CRITIC’S REPORT “The party room, with a changing multicol- ored light wall, is dazzling. Tandoori menu selections are tops, with the char-grilled MURGH RESHMI SEEKH ($11.95), as my pick. Love the sweet smelling ground chicken with whole spices, on a skewer, but the buffets, (Lunch Buffet $10.95), with many hot & cold exciting dishes are en- chanting ($12.95 on weekends) & main- tain high quality.” “The SEEKH SUBZ LAZEEZ ($6.95), tasty vegetables & cottage cheese, on a skewer are softly seasoned with tempered Cumin Seeds & the PANEER MATHI TIKKI ($6.95), are good starters. Multiple regions of India get menu play here, with a pleasing variety of vegetarian, seafood & meat op- tions, each one better than the next.” “As a seafood lover I picked the JHINGA MASALA ($18.95), as my recommenda- tion. The jumbo shrimp in a sumptuous gravy, were flavored with Fenugreek leaves and the chef’s own herb & spices. Breads are exquisite especially the PUDINA PARATHA ($3.95), a whole wheat bread adorned with Coriander Leaves & fresh Mint.This goes well with the FISH MALABAR CURRY ($17.95).” “Known as a pearl in an ocean, where spices are created to enrich you & the only Empire Lassi. The DAL MAKHNI, black lentils & butter & cream ($10.95), are perfect & the JEERA BASMATI RICE, fine grained & flavored with Cumin seeds ($5.95), go well with TANDOORI ROTI ($2.95) & the KEBAB MELONI ($18.95), a fab plate of Tandori Chicken, Shrimp, Seekh Kabab, Fish & Malai Kebab.” Urban Spice Urban Spice Urban Spice Urban Spice Urban Spice “Everything from THE GARLIC & ONION NAAN BREADS ($3.95), to the wonder- ful MURG KI CHAAMP ($13.95), is made in house in a special clay oven & fresh daily & I could taste the difference. The bar is stylish & a true hot spot in the area & desserts like the signature item OR- ANGE KULFI ($5.95), homemade Ice Cream & nuts in an actual Orange Shell, are magnificent.” The atmosphere, food & service, at the fabulous Urban Spice, are all completely in tune, with no jarring notes to interrupt the harmony of fine dining. The restaurant is deco- rated with modern, flowing lines & rich, sensual colors. The subdued interior, with ex- quisite chandeliers, shaped like the Middle Eastern, when Moghuls ruled, modern artifacts with traditional touches, gauze drapery partitions, Indian art & light woods, of- fer a wonderful setting, in which to dine, or have a party. The menu includes an appetizing ar- ray of signature regional Indian dishes, but mainly Northern India, as well as vegetarian options. Portions are generous without being grandiose, & attractively eye-catching without becoming eyesores. Proportions, flavors, col- ors & textures, are all right in sync. CEO Kamal Arora & his lovely wife Kiran, are the parents of 13 yr old Vansh & 11 yr old Sampada. They lived in Delhi & as ‘foodies,” wanted to present the colorful, inventive, many cultured cuisine, of India, to the U.S. They ar- rived here in 2004 & first, as a partner in Moghul Express in 2005, & then in 2006, presented Mithaas Sweets, which, like an Indian Starbucks, is just as you’ll find in India. Also owner of Moghul Caterers, they are known as the Wedding Champions, in the tri-state area. Now Kamal, which means ‘magic,’ wanted his sophisticated clients, to properly explore their sight, aroma, sound, taste & touch senses in a dazzling restaurant atmosphere. Following India’s rich culture of culinary traditions, he then presented a tasteful, fashionable restaurant, in a stand alone building, with a very picturesque setting. With a late-night cocktail lounge, trendy decor & flawless service, he hired a very knowl- edgeable staff including the world-renowned Exec. Chef Rajkamal Sahai & directed by Man- ager Firoz R, Buhariwala. Firoz, has 35 years experience in the industry & trained in France, at the Rooftop in England & Eiffel Tower, is known a leader in this business and has served many Hollywood and Bollywood stars. GAIL SAYS “GO!” “I’ve just found a beautiful passage to In- dian food. A luscious well-made vegetar- ian appetizer, was the ALOO PAPRI CHAAT ($4.95), a tasty & crisp, whole flour delicacy, mixed with yogurt, potatoes chickpeas & a great sauce. I loved the FISH TIKKA ($17,95), Salmon cubes in a Yogurt Sauce, that had pleasing spices blended. Firoz’ special EMPIRE LASSI was a winner, as was the RICE KHEER Basmatic Rice combo dessert ($4.95)” 42 Marconi Ave, Iselin, NJ 08830 (732) 283-1043 • www.urbanspice.com Open 7 Days lunch & dinner, Mon-Wed & Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, Mon-Wed 5:30-10pm, Thu 11:30am-2:30am, Fri 5:30-10:30pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am-10:30pm. Seating 132; Private Party Manhattan Room-seats 32; Sat-Sun Brunch; Credit Cards: All Major; Parking in private parking lot: Moderate Prices; Good for Groups; Accomodates Children; Reservations Accepted; Take-out a party; Full Bar; Wheelchair Access; Near Rt 27 & GSP Exit 131; Gift Cert; All spices can be adjusted to your preferences & are specially designed for each dish; Chinese-Northern & South Indian Party Trays; Call Catering Office at 1655-170 Oak Tree Rd., Edison NJ 08820, 732-549- 7976, www.moghulcatering.com; Mithaas Sweets, 1655-170 Oak Tree Rd, Edison NJ, 732-947-3014, www.mithaasusa.com; Moghul Express,1670-A Oak Tree Rd, Edison NJ, 732-549-6222. “The important thing to realize is that it takes a good team to accomplish good things & here they all join to create very memorable dining and party happening and here they all,” Carolyn Delafrange, travelingfoodfanatics.com blogger. Manager Firoz Kamal & wife Kiran Arora in the Manhattan private party room. BUFFET LUNCHEON Mon-Fri, $10.95, 11:30-2:30 GRAND BUFFET Sat-Sun,$12.95, 11:30-3:30 BUFFET LUNCHEON Mon-Fri, $10.95, 11:30-2:30 GRAND BUFFET Sat-Sun,$12.95, 11:30-3:30 “CHEF RAJKAMAL SAHAI is a trendsetter & encompasses a variety of regional cuisines making use of local spices, herbs, vegetables & fruits & cultural habits, in his extraordi- nary cookery. His sophisticated use of spices & herbs & the blend of many cultural re- gions are presented, in a chic, tasteful way, in all of their finery. Once you dine, you will be planning your return.” Charlie Horner, Press Research Editor-Writer (top left). YELP: Urban Spice has real ‘joie de vivre.’ The prices are fair and - above all else - it’s a differently delicious Indian restaurant with authentic home made cooking & very smooth service. ” ZAGAT: “Absolutely delicious and lovingly prepared food that is a must-try!”
description
The atmosphere, food & service, at the fabulous Urban Spice, are all completely in tune, with no jarring notes to interrupt the harmony of fine dining. The restaurant is deco- rated with modern, flowing lines & rich, sensual colors. The subdued interior, with ex- quisite chandeliers, shaped like the Middle Eastern, when Moghuls ruled, modern artifacts with traditional touches, gauze drapery partitions, Indian art & light woods, of- fer a wonderful setting, in which to dine, or have a party. The menu includes an appetizing ar- ray of signature regional Indian dishes, but mainly Northern India, as well as vegetarian options. Portions are generous without being grandiose, & attractively eye-catching without becoming eyesores. Proportions, flavors, col- ors & textures, are all right in sync.
Transcript of Restaurant of the Week 'Urban Spice'
TO RECOMMEND A RESTAURANT FOR GAIL AND THE RESEARCHERS TO REVIEW, CALL GAIL GERSON-WITTE AT732-758-0888 OR E-MAIL TO: [email protected]. VISIT MY BLOG: WWW.WINEDINEANDLEISURETIME.COM.
RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK, BY GAIL GERSON-WITTE OF WINE AND DINE
GAIL GERSON -WITTERestaurant Writer
KEVIN MCALLIONRestaurant Researcher Soc.DR. MARVIN MANSKY
The NYC Dining Doctor
MARALYN HILLPresident, Int’l Food Wine& Travel Writer’s Assn.
DINING CRITIC’SREPORT
BETTY WHITERest. Researcher Soc. Pres.
IVY WINTERSNYC Dining & Travel Writer
INNOVATIVEREGIONAL INDIAN CUISINE
DINING CRITIC’SREPORT
“The party room, with a changing multicol-ored light wall, is dazzling. Tandoori menuselections are tops, with the char-grilledMURGH RESHMI SEEKH ($11.95), as mypick. Love the sweet smelling groundchicken with whole spices, on a skewer,but the buffets, (Lunch Buffet $10.95), withmany hot & cold exciting dishes are en-chanting ($12.95 on weekends) & main-tain high quality.”
“The SEEKH SUBZ LAZEEZ ($6.95), tastyvegetables & cottage cheese, on a skewerare softly seasoned with tempered CuminSeeds & the PANEER MATHI TIKKI($6.95), are good starters. Multiple regionsof India get menu play here, with a pleasingvariety of vegetarian, seafood & meat op-tions, each one better than the next.”
“As a seafood lover I picked the JHINGAMASALA ($18.95), as my recommenda-tion. The jumbo shrimp in a sumptuousgravy, were flavored with Fenugreekleaves and the chef’s own herb & spices.Breads are exquisite especially thePUDINA PARATHA ($3.95), a wholewheat bread adorned with CorianderLeaves & fresh Mint.This goes well withthe FISH MALABAR CURRY ($17.95).”
“Known as a pearl in an ocean, wherespices are created to enrich you & theonly Empire Lassi. The DAL MAKHNI,black lentils & butter & cream ($10.95),are perfect & the JEERA BASMATIRICE, fine grained & flavored with Cuminseeds ($5.95), go well with TANDOORIROTI ($2.95) & the KEBAB MELONI($18.95), a fab plate of Tandori Chicken,Shrimp, Seekh Kabab, Fish & Malai Kebab.”
Urban SpiceUrban SpiceUrban SpiceUrban SpiceUrban Spice
“Everything from THE GARLIC & ONIONNAAN BREADS ($3.95), to the wonder-ful MURG KI CHAAMP ($13.95), is madein house in a special clay oven & freshdaily & I could taste the difference. Thebar is stylish & a true hot spot in the area& desserts like the signature item OR-ANGE KULFI ($5.95), homemade IceCream & nuts in an actual Orange Shell,are magnificent.”
The atmosphere, food &service, at the fabulous UrbanSpice, are all completely intune, with no jarring notes tointerrupt the harmony of finedining. The restaurant is deco-rated with modern, flowinglines & rich, sensual colors.The subdued interior, with ex-quisite chandeliers, shapedlike the Middle Eastern, when Moghuls ruled,modern artifacts with traditional touches, gauzedrapery partitions, Indian art & light woods, of-fer a wonderful setting, in which to dine, or havea party. The menu includes an appetizing ar-ray of signature regional Indian dishes, butmainly Northern India, as well as vegetarianoptions. Portions are generous without beinggrandiose, & attractively eye-catching withoutbecoming eyesores. Proportions, flavors, col-ors & textures, are all right in sync.
CEO Kamal Arora & his lovely wife Kiran,are the parents of 13 yr old Vansh & 11 yr oldSampada. They lived in Delhi & as ‘foodies,”wanted to present the colorful, inventive, manycultured cuisine, of India, to the U.S. They ar-rived here in 2004 & first, as a partner in MoghulExpress in 2005, & then in 2006, presentedMithaas Sweets, which, like an Indian
Starbucks, isjust as you’ll findin India. Also
owner of Moghul Caterers, they are known asthe Wedding Champions, in the tri-state area.Now Kamal, which means ‘magic,’ wanted hissophisticated clients, to properly explore theirsight, aroma, sound, taste & touch senses in adazzling restaurant atmosphere. FollowingIndia’s rich culture of culinary traditions, he thenpresented a tasteful, fashionable restaurant, ina stand alone building, with a very picturesquesetting. With a late-night cocktail lounge, trendydecor & flawless service, he hired a very knowl-edgeable staff including the world-renownedExec. Chef Rajkamal Sahai & directed by Man-ager Firoz R, Buhariwala. Firoz, has 35 yearsexperience in the industry & trained in France,at the Rooftop in England & Eiffel Tower, isknown a leader in this business and has servedmany Hollywood and Bollywood stars.
GAIL SAYS “GO!”
“I’ve just found a beautiful passage to In-dian food. A luscious well-made vegetar-ian appetizer, was the ALOO PAPRICHAAT ($4.95), a tasty & crisp, wholeflour delicacy, mixed with yogurt, potatoeschickpeas & a great sauce. I loved theFISH TIKKA ($17,95), Salmon cubes ina Yogurt Sauce, that had pleasing spicesblended. Firoz’ special EMPIRE LASSIwas a winner, as was the RICE KHEERBasmatic Rice combo dessert ($4.95)”
42 Marconi Ave, Iselin, NJ 08830(732) 283-1043 • www.urbanspice.comOpen 7 Days lunch & dinner, Mon-Wed &Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, Mon-Wed 5:30-10pm,Thu 11:30am-2:30am, Fri 5:30-10:30pm,Sat-Sun 11:30am-10:30pm. Seating 132;Private Party Manhattan Room-seats 32;Sat-Sun Brunch; Credit Cards: All Major;Parking in private parking lot: ModeratePrices; Good for Groups; AccomodatesChildren; Reservations Accepted; Take-outa party; Full Bar; Wheelchair Access; NearRt 27 & GSP Exit 131; Gift Cert; All spicescan be adjusted to your preferences &are specially designed for each dish;Chinese-Northern & South Indian PartyTrays; Call Catering Office at 1655-170Oak Tree Rd., Edison NJ 08820, 732-549-7976, www.moghulcatering.com; MithaasSweets, 1655-170 Oak Tree Rd, EdisonNJ, 732-947-3014, www.mithaasusa.com;Moghul Express,1670-A Oak Tree Rd,Edison NJ, 732-549-6222.
“The important thing to realize is that it takes a good teamto accomplish good things & here they all join to create verymemorable dining and party happening and here they all,”Carolyn Delafrange, travelingfoodfanatics.com blogger.
ManagerFirozKamal & wife
Kiran Arora inthe Manhattanprivate partyroom.
BUFFET LUNCHEONMon-Fri, $10.95,11:30-2:30
GRAND BUFFETSat-Sun,$12.95,11:30-3:30
BUFFET LUNCHEONMon-Fri, $10.95,11:30-2:30
GRAND BUFFETSat-Sun,$12.95,11:30-3:30
“CHEF RAJKAMAL SAHAI is a trendsetter & encompasses a variety of regional cuisinesmaking use of local spices, herbs, vegetables & fruits & cultural habits, in his extraordi-nary cookery. His sophisticated use of spices & herbs & the blend of many cultural re-gions are presented, in a chic, tasteful way, in all of their finery. Once you dine, you willbe planning your return.” Charlie Horner, Press Research Editor-Writer (top left).
YELP: Urban Spice has real ‘joie de vivre.’ The prices are fair and -above all else - it’s a differently delicious Indian restaurant withauthentic home made cooking & very smooth service. ”ZAGAT: “Absolutely delicious and lovingly prepared food that isa must-try!”
