#PeachysPicks A Peachy's Pick Since 2019, #BukharaGrillIndianSpiceRave by #RajaJhanjee Returns to Manhattan #120East39thStreet #Manhattan #NorthernIndian
Peachy Deegan and Founder and Owner Raja Jhanjee
It's never been who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we cannot be more thrilled to tell you about the resurrection of one of our favorite places by our pal Raja Jhanjee: Bukhara Grill Indian Spice Rave! WE ARE SO HAPPY TO SEE RAJA AND HIS ASTOUNDINGLY DELICIOUS CREATIONS AGAIN! A Catholic, Peachy Deegan feels like it is Easter when one of her favorite restaurants comes back to life. Today Bukhara Grill Indian Spice Rave is at 120 East 39th Street between Park and Lexington and we believe we are honored to be the very first to review it! IT JUST OPENED!
Raja has a storied, highly acclaimed history here and was first featured in January 2017, again in October 2017, in May 2019, and it earned Peachy's Pick status in September 2019.
Everyone knows what happened after that and we are so happy to reunite with this amazing leader in hospitality; Raja also has three New Jersey locations. This is the second "Restaurant Easter" in our history; the first was Spiga in 2018, today owned by the talented Marco Proietti (stay tuned for more on Spiga plus maybe even more with his uncle!)
It's three times as much fun as it used to be because now Raja has his two sons working with him!
Arnav Jhanjee, left, graciously greeted us the minute we walked in and we were equally delighted to then meet his older brother, Akshay Jhanjee, right.
We are extremely interested in eating green salads and so Arnav suggested the above: Palak Chaat.
This is the Indian answer to a green salad: Crispy Spinach, Pomegranate, Yogurt, Tamarind Chutney, Mint Chutney, Chopped Tomatoes and Onions. Evocative of flavor, nutrition and color, this is a lovely start. Even better is the Saffron Butter Garlic Crab! Peachy LOVES crab and she loves it even more when it's inventively incorporated into exotic dishes such as this winner. Crab cooked to perfection luxuriates in a saffron-based buttery sauce exquisitely.
Rounding out the starters, Arnav also suggested the Achari Fish Tikka, which has Salmon. Marinated in yogurt and spices, the cubed Salmon indulges in a highlight of a subtle flavor of Ajwain and it's exactly this brilliant in person. Peachy does not edit pictures: the truth is Raja is talented! Finally, Truffle Grilled Mushrooms infused with white truffle oil ravish your palate in a generous size of mushroom with pickle seasoning.
There are 115 coveted seats and Bukhara Grill Indian Spice Rave is part of the Tuscany Hotel; the soft opening is right now and the liquor license JUST ARRIVED! Raja tells us the Executive Chef here is the Master Chef for all four of his restaurants: Jimmi Sherpa. The other three venues are in New Jersey. This restaurant is brighter and more spacious than its predecessor and it has the same menu enhanced with more items showcasing Northern Indian cuisine. Raja Jhanjee is from New Dehli. We were also delighted to meet General Manager Vijay Verma, who has been working with Raja for 44 years and counting!
The entrees are simply phenomenal and we began with the inviting Shrimp Bhuna, under seafood of course. Shrimp is cooked in an Indian Wok with Garlic, Fresh Herbs and Spices and will tantalize your palate with its invigorating flavors. Next, the highly creative Mango Haberno Chicken will kick up your life to the upper echelons of hotness! The flavor of the sauce is mango and it is super spicy; boneless pieces of chicken cooked in a house special haberno sauce that boasts inviting complex flavor that will spell THE WEEKEND IS HERE AND HAPPY TIMES ARE HERE AGAIN...on your palate!
Of everything this amazing team does, what Peachy personally missed the most was their signature Black Lentils: Dal Bukhara!!!! It's found under Veg and Vegan Entrees. A harmonious combination of black lentils cooked over a slow fire will set you at peace with the world and warm your stomach up like a sincere hug of deliciousness! They are not kidding when the menu says it's a favorite with almost all gourmets: it's true. Finally, the absolute favorite of Peachy Deegan on this visit was without a doubt the Chicken Tikka Masala. The richness of the juicy chicken pieces roasted in the clay oven and tossed in an indulgent creamy tomato sauce make this a winner and truly beloved by everyone. If you have never had Indian food before, start here. Finally, Vijay suggested the vegetable samosas which we have shown you have potatoes and peas to discover inside.
Bukhara Grill Indian Spice Rave by Raja Jhanjee continues to be Highly Recommended by Whom You Know!
120 E 39th St
New York, NY 10016
