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To the Junoon and Back!

Dinner, Drinks, Indian, Restaurant WeekLizComment

Restaurant Week Round 2!

After my first Restaurant Week meal at The Marrow, I headed to Junoon (http://junoonnyc.com/) with Scott. I had heard rave reviews about this Michelin-rated Indian spot in Flatiron but couldn't convince myself to go due to the price of the entrees (most protein entrees are $25+) and the size (not very large!). I'm a hole-in-the-wall Indian cuisine gal, but for Restaurant Week I enjoy living on the wild side and indulging! This place opened in 2011 and received one star from Michelin JUST ten months after it opened! Very Impressive.

The restaurant was running behind so we each ordered a cocktail at The Patiala Lounge (the bar). I went with the Blood Orange Sour, made with Kentucky Bourbon, Homemade Blood Orange and Lemon Puree, Clove-Campari Reduction with Egg White for Texture.

Beautiful Color and Delicious Taste!

Beautiful Color and Delicious Taste!

My cocktail was yummy - I love the taste of Blood Orange Juice, it is like the adult version of OJ! Scott went with the Tandoori Tequila, a spicy cocktail made with silver tequila, lime, muddled Tandoori pineapple, curry leaf and pippali pepper.  

Blurred Lines

Blurred Lines

I sipped his drink and it did have a certain KICK to it! Scott sometimes feels that I don't give him the star power he deserves on my blog, so I took a photo of him. Of course it came out terribly - it is the thought that counts, right?

The lounge area is pretty swanky. You feel like you're on the set of a high-budget Bollywood movie.

Patiala Lounge

Patiala Lounge

Scott and I have similar taste preferences, so we ordered different appetizers, entrees and desserts and shared everything.

As we waited for our appetizers, we were each served an Amuse-Bouche, or complementary tasting from the chef. It was something or other with butternut squash and quite delicious! The sizing was a preview of what was to come...tiny dishes!

Amuse-Bouche of Butternut Squash from the Chef

Amuse-Bouche of Butternut Squash from the Chef

To start, we got the Lahsooni Gobi (crispy cauliflower with chili flakes and garlic tomato chutney) and Chipotle Chicken Tikka (chipotle marinated chicken with crispy potatoes and lime aioli).

Lahsooni Gobi

Lahsooni Gobi

Chipotle Chicken Tikka

Chipotle Chicken Tikka

Both were delicious but VERY SMALL! If I came here and paid the menu price I would be very disappointed. 3 pieces of cauliflower is a bit lame!

For the entrees, we ordered the Kerala Shrimp Curry (seared shrimp with coconut milk, curry leaves, mustard seeds, green chiles and smoked kodampuli) and the Lalmas (Rajasthani lamb curry with black cardamom, clove and chili)

Kerala Shrimp Curry

Kerala Shrimp Curry

Lalmas

Lalmas

I absolutely loved the Shrimp Curry BUT THERE WERE ONLY 3 SHRIMP! WHAT GIVES!!! I felt super cheated. The lamb had more chunks in it but wasn't bountiful by any standards.

We also got one order of Pulao Rice and Naan to split.

NAAN NOM

NAAN NOM

Pulao Rice

Pulao Rice

I would have preferred Garlic Naan but we weren't able to upcharge to that which I thought was annoying - you may be sensing a trend!

For dessert, we ordered one Rice Pudding served with candied almonds, cinnamon and golden raisons and one Passion Fruit Mousse.

HEY PUDDIN

HEY PUDDIN

Get that PASSIONfruit!

Get that PASSIONfruit!

I loved the rice pudding but hardly got to taste it - it was about 3 spoonfuls. This is the unfortunate downside of Restaurant Week - going to fancy places and leaving feeling like you want to eat an entire pizza! I'm glad we went because the food was phenomenal it just left me wanting more...FOOD!

Cheers,

Liz