#DrunkenMonkey Since 2013 Their Second Hit on #WhomYouKnow @DrunkenMunkeyNY by Arun Mirchandani and Chirag Chamin 338 East 92nd Street Upper East Side
Founder and Owner Arun Mirchandani
It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we know Arun Mirchandani, otherwise known as the Indian Tom Cruise who has reinvented the movie Cocktail at Drunken Monkey and made his dreams come true. He came to the USA and earned an undergraduate degree in Hospitality Management in 1995. It has been absolutely ages since we first visited, and we were pleased as punch to return. Spiked punch, of course as this is a cocktail joint, and so much more. They were last featured ten years ago and Drunken Monkey is equally owned by Arun and Chirag Chamin and it does what every cocktail place should do: it serves excellent cuisine which is our dream come true.
Drunken Monkey is approachable but elegant, and most importantly, delicious.
Allow us to elaborate, readers.
We want to see way more green salads on everyone's menu, hence our new salad column. We began with the inventive Cucumber and Mango salad, which was so well-chopped. They listened and put the dressing on the side for Ms. Uberpicky. Roasted cashews, pomegranate, radish, chili, cumin and lime and chaat dressing join the party. Next, we absolutely LOVED the Masala Shrimp cocktail and it was one of our favorites of the evening. Garlic and cilantro marinade grace their presence with chili tamarind and they have NO TAILS on them. It is always nicer when you don't have to struggle with tails or shells though we love shellfish.
If you haven't been, Drunken Monkey is evocative of early Bombay in the late 1800s, early 1900s...and when we write on Indian anything we remember Mover and Shaker India Hicks.
We like the Monkey water bottles, a nice touch!
Short Rib Sliders: slow, braised short ribs become Indian in their divine seasoning and slow cooking.
Goan Pork Vindaloo is a spicy number; Vindalu is a Goan term that means Vinegar in the first part and the suffix means potato. This was an influence of Portuguese colonization we understand. Cubed pork shoulder, spicy chili, vinegar and tomato sauce will light up your night with onion too. It's a classic.
No matter what Peachy is eating, she is often drinking a strong Italian red.
Arun showed us you don't have to be Italian to know a great wine.
Avid readers know that Peachy is a Chicken Biryani monster, akin to the Cookie Monster. They accurately put the raita on the side, and also pickled onions, and it's hidden inside to be discovered. It was absolutely delicious and hits the spot. It's not overwhelming and a good starter Indian food if you don't eat Indian often. It's exactly as amazing as it looks below and if you are new to us, you should know we never edit pictures. You win like Arun or we do not publish.
Above, please meet the Railway Chicken Curry. It's a tribute to the British officers and the chicken curry served on trains. Onion and tomato curry, cumin seeds, house spices and curry leaf heightens your senses and invigorates but does not set your Irish taste buds on fire if you are a Peachy Deegan. Next, below, was a dish originally called Chicken Makhni, meaning butter, and is today called Butter Chicen Tikka Masala, and we liked it the most. It's their signature chicken. Tandoor-fired chicken Tikka with creamed tomato sauce is simply divine.
You can't get Branzino at just any Indian restaurant.
But since when are we interested in just anything, anything?
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays you can get a Whole Tandoori Fish Amritsari Style, which to us means devastatingly delicious: there's a 12 spice rub that goes into the Freshly Caught Branzino. And, they even come with Peachy's favorite vegetable: haricots verts and they say green beans in french two thumbs up! Cucumber salsa and lemon rice sings backup.
The final firecracker of the night is from Arun's amazing grandmother whom we hope to meet: she's 102 years old and lives in Astoria. Savitri Mirchandani and her superlative carrot pudding are a total must. She must be so proud of her grandson.
We hear there are more exciting endeavors on the horizon so stay tuned to this highly recommended place!
