LIC’s newest hidden gem
Indian cuisine has become one of the most popular types of foods in New York City. And Chef Abishek Sharma brings his own interpretation of Indian cuisine to Long Island City. Born in Delhi and raised in Queens, Chef Abishek combines the flavors and spices of India with a Western lens, bringing to life his new restaurant, Rang. Rang can only be described as a small restaurant that packs big flavors and we had the chance to sample some of the delicious offerings they have on their menu.
To start our meal, we started with the Rang De Basanti cocktail which is made from Agave de Cortes Espadin, Hari Mich infused black tequila, apologue saffron, and pineapple. What is so interesting and fun about cocktail at an Indian restaurant is how they infuse classic Indian flavors into spirits that we know and love. These additions turn these spirits on their head and create new, distinct, and innovative flavors that you would not be able to have anywhere else. This drink had a forward pineapple sweetness to it. And as it sits on your palate, you start to taste some of the spice from the tequila which adds a bit of pepper and heat. There is also a wonderful brightness to the drink which opens up a lot of the flavors coming from the ingredients.
For our starters, we opted for the Dahi Lentils Puri and the Beetroot and Potato Tikki Chaat. The Dahi Lentils Puri was delicious where the puri was so light and airy while still having that crispy exterior that gives a nice crunch to it. The potatoes were cooked perfectly and had enough spice that wakes your palate up. And the topping of the tamarind and mint chutney provides both a coolness to the dish as well as a slight sweetness which helps add dimension to the flavors. And the addition of yogurt, which is a staple ingredient in Indian food, helps provide a creaminess to the dish while also helping your palate settle down after each bite. The Beetroot and Potato Tikki Chaat was a call home to the classic savory chaat. With each bite, you get a delicious myriad of flavors. The beetroot has a nice earthy flavor to it which pairs with the savory potatoes mixed in. There is an addition of tomatoes which adds a sweet brightness to the dish which helps balance a lot of the spices. Each spoonful delivers a creamy texture to it with bits of crunch here and there.
For the next course, we wanted to try something from the Tandoor section of their menu and we landed on the Chipotle Paneer Tikka. If you are unfamiliar with what a Tandoor dish tastes like, it would essentially be the equivalent of barbecuing a piece of protein that has been marinating in an assortment of spices. And with this dish, the paneer had a beautiful char on the exterior while still having a meaty and moist interior that was cooked perfectly. The paneer also had a wonderful combination of spices that aren’t too overpowering and played with the paneer’s natural flavors. Alongside the paneer are an assortment of vegetables that have a wonderful char to it and have all been caramelized perfectly, adding bits of sweetness and savoriness when paired with the paneer.
For the last course, we went with a classic Indian pairing of a sauce based dish with an assortment of naan. We recommend the assortment naan basket which comes with a traditional and tasty garlic naan, a jalapeno cheese naan, and a goat cheese truffle naan. Paired with the naan we chose the Saag Paneer Kofta which is a spinach and paneer croquette that is sitting on top of a creamy cashew nut sauce. The saag paneer kofta was incredible. The gravy is creamy and has a sweetness to it that is perfect to dip the naan into. The kofta was so tender with a moist filling that exploded with flavor with each bite. Each naan we had was fluffy and tender, making them perfect vessels to sop up the gravy or use to eat the kofta with.
Our final thoughts on Rang is that this little restaurant in the lower part of Long Island City is worth the trip to. The food here was absolutely delicious and the thought and care with the preparation and treatment of the food is something to commend. The service as well was extremely friendly and warm which helped add to our amazing experience at Rang. It is safe to say that we will be returning here to eat more food and try out more of their amazing menu.