DHABA RESTAURANT IN FAMED CURRY HILL
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THE NOSTALGIC NEW YORKER
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Dhaba Bar
Located in New York’s famed Curry Hill, Chef Shiva Natarajan’s new restaurant Dhaba brings a fresh take on Indian fare by showcasing authentic Northern Indian and Punjabi cuisine. Traditionally, “dhabas” are eateries commonly found in the outskirts of metros in Northern India and are widely reputed to serve authentic local food. More recently, dhabas are sprouting all over cosmopolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai, bringing their brand of authentic, flavorful food to city connoisseurs. Dhaba offers a full menu and several specialty menus such as Dhaba After Hours, the British Curry House, and an extensive vegetarian selection. Favorites include familiar “dhaba” staples such as Sarson ka Saag and Makki da Roti, but also spotlights a wide array of Punjabi dishes such as Hare Nimbu wale Murgh, Chicken Kaali Mirch, Punjab da Lauki Masala, Shalgam Saag and Bharvan Shimla Mirch. The menu features popular Northern Kabobs such as Paneer Taash Kabob, Kakori Kabob, and Adrak ki Champ. These broad menu choices are sure to delight the palate of New York City gourmands.Shiva’s vision of a dhaba with a modern twist was made a reality with the help of designer Thida Thong Thai. Low lamps hang discreetly within the restaurant resembling the street lamps that hang over these traditional eateries. The emblematic earthy greens, natural beiges and dark brown silks combined with magenta and orange accents add a luxurious tone to the dining room. A large communal banquet table in the center keeps with the characteristic dhaba homage. The colorful glass tunnel entrance, decorative spice bottles and steel bar with colorful glass bangles are an unexpected surprise that adds a touch of modern flair while still in tune with its traditional presence. Born to a South Indian family and raised in Calcutta, Shiva enjoyed an exposure to both North and South Indian food. This background laid a foundation for his ease with regional Indian food. Shiva’s greatest culinary influence was his Grandmother Savitri who was a local culinary expert. He spent countless hours in the kitchen with her developing what would become his life-long passion for food. He attended high school in India and obtained an MBA at Pace University in New York City. He also traveled throughout India experiencing many different cuisine styles of his native country. Shiva is a veteran to the East Coast restaurant industry having opened seven highly regarded restaurants; Chola and Tadka in New York City, Chola, Malabar Hill and Bombay Bar & Grill in Connecticut, Jaipore Royal Indian Cuisine in Brewster New York and Bombay at the Black Swan Inn in Lee, Massachusetts. Shiva’s cooks have appeared on several TV shows such as The Martha Stewart Show, CBS, NBC and Fox News.
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