Tamarind: An Indian Gem in the Heart of TriBeCa

By Peter Elston

Located in one of the city's hippest neighborhoods, Tamarind TriBeCa pairs chic, elegant design with the robust flavors of the spices from different cuisines from varying regions across India, including Punjab, Goa, Hyderabad, Madras, Calcutta, and Lucknow.

Opened in 2010, Tamarind is part of sole proprietor Avtar Walia's vision to launch world-class dining establishments showcasing the food from his homeland. He got his start within the restaurant industry as a bartender and captain of Tandoor restaurant before working his way up to become the co-owner of Dawat, considered to be one of the first in the trend of high-end Indian restaurants in Manhattan. Then in 2001, Walia launched the Tamarind brand—with its original location in Flatiron—which earned a Michelin star.

From the restaurant's eclectic menu, their signature dishes include different types of poultry and seafood. For example, one of the restaurant's top dishes is the Sufiyani Machli, a marinated sea bass with hung yogurt, dill, lime zest, and a mixed peppercorn crust. For those craving a lean cut of meat, Tamarind TriBeCa serves the Malsaledar Chop, its signature lamb marinated in nutmeg, cinnamon, and aromatic Indian herbs. There's also the Achari Hiran Ki Chhampen, the venison chop marinated in hung yogurt, pickling spices, and roasted chickpea flour.

The restaurant's 11,000 square-foot space is flooded with natural light, thanks to towering 100-foot-tall windows lining the space, along with glass paneling and large, ornate lighting fixtures throughout. The restaurant and can seat 175 people across two floors, with a floating cantilevered staircase taking diners from the first to the mezzanine floor, which is surrounded by intimate booths. Formerly the private dining room, the Lotus Room—named after India's national flower—is open for lunch and tea. Each dish on the menu includes the fragrant, colorful Lotus flower.

The TriBeCa hotspot is known for attracting a-list celebrities, from movie moguls to music superstars, including Harvey Weinstein, Taylor Swift, Jake Gyllenhaal, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey McGuire, Kiefer Sutherland, and Meg Ryan.

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