Aladin Indian Bistro in Stamford
is the latest restaurant opened by talented chef Kausik Roy, who also has Tawa in Stamford. A press dinner at Aladin took my companions and me on a culinary carpet ride through unusually creative and healthful Indian cooking.
To do justice to the experience, I brought along my Indian expert and good friend, Carrol, shown here with chef Roy.
And here’s Roy with his partner, who was responsible for the physical design of the handsome restaurant.
Let me take you on a brief tour of the restaurant.
For drinks, I started out with a mojito. I only like mojitos when they’re exceptionally fresh and well made, as this one was.
The rest of the way, Carol and I split 22-ounce Taj Mahal beers.
Looking at the planned menu,
we knew we were in for a major treat. (Don’t be confused if I use the Indian spellings I prefer.) Our appetizers were served as individual portions. Artichoke and scallion pakora with a gingery dipping sauce were a great way to get our meal started.
Our next treat was cauliflower Manchurian, the spicy tangy dish a reminder that Indo-Chinese food, not terribly common in Connecticut, is a fun “Indianized” reinterpretation of Chinese food that has caught on both in India and in large cities with substantial Indian populations around the world.
Bombay bhel puri was a tribute to one of the more popular chaats, cereal-based street foods popular in India’s large cities.
Tandoori chicken in a basil mint marinade may come out an eerie malachite green, but it’s absolutely delicious.
The last of our starters were coconut shrimp
and wild ramp-stuffed naan bread.
Our main course was served family style. We enjoyed Aladin’s signature lamb dampak, which is cooked in a sealed pot,
a Goan seafood curry,
Tandoori steamed lamb shank
and a surf and turf full of deliciousness.
There were other delights as well, including saag paneer,
tadka dal and
chicken tikka masala.
Not to mention the obvious, and ubiquitous, basmati rice.
We finished with a lovely dessert called falooda
and met the friendly staff.
Aladin Indian Bistro, 36 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, 203-939-9040, www.aladinindianbistro.com