Bungalow

At this subterranean East Village restaurant, the theme is opulent Indian clubhouse, and the food is from a regular judge on Masterchef India. Factor in some thumping bass and a back room overgrown with artificial vines, and it sounds like a recipe for a scene. It is one, but the food is still the focus. Bungalow’s menu mostly consists of updated takes on dishes from across India, with shrimp balchao stuffed into cones and towers of purple sweet potato arranged in a tart mango sauce. A simple daal with kidney beans and black lentils might sound boring, but don’t skip it. And be sure to get the $30 Rajasthani lamb with caramelized onion and slivers of ginger. Despite a partytime atmosphere, with groups going to town on curry-infused cocktails, the portions are reasonable, and the food is unpretentiously good.

photo credit: Katrine Moite Photography