In late January, Chef Gaurav Anand opened Baazi at 2588 Broadway (at 97th Street), formerly home to Awadh, which he ran at the location since 2014.
“Gaurav’s cooking style has evolved into a unique personal vision that weaves in influences and ingredients from the Mediterranean and South Asia to offer unexpected flavors and lighter dishes,” reads a press statement. You won’t find traditional Indian fare on Baazi’s menu.
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Some noteworthy plates include Chicken Cafreal and Trout Recheado, both Goan specialties with Portuguese influences; Cod Koliwada fish and chips with Gaurav’s signature okra fries; and a papadam-crusted yogurt kebab; and tamarind glazed lamb ribs.
Chicken Cafreal – photo by Evan Sung
Fish Koliwada – photo by Evan Sung
Glazed Lamb Ribs – photo by Evan Sung
Baaz foregoes samosas, paneer or chana masala, instead showcasing Gaurav’s unique vegetarian takes on kebabs, butter chicken and more.
Papad Kebab (open box) – photo by Evan Sung
The name Baazi (‘bet’ in Hindu) references Gaurav’s decision to take a chance on a different, more sophisticated concept, despite the challenges of the pandemic, while his other restaurants focus on regional cuisines.
While still rooted in Indian culinary tradition, Baazi forgoes heavy dishes, hearty flavors and powdered spices, instead coaxing natural flavors out of raw ingredients. For example, instead of powdered coriander, Gaurav uses whole roasted coriander seeds.
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Gaurav Anand arrived in the U.S. more than twelve years ago with a dream of making it in New York. Starting with Bhatti Indian Grill, he built a group of three NYC restaurants including New York Times two-star Moti Mahal Delux and Awadh, as well as restaurants in New Delhi and Goa. He also launched his high-end catering company, working on weddings around the world from Mexico and the Caribbean to Italy and France to Turkey. When the pandemic hit, his events were canceled and he spent the time developing new recipes.
Baazi’s two-level space has been designed to evoke a Mediterranean feel with a vibrant blue and yellow palette, Instagram-worthy flower wall, and a live indoor olive tree. A new heated 24-seat outdoor dining area recalls the feeling of sitting in a café in Morocco or Turkey. There is no delivery or takeout, a first for Gaurav as Baazi is designed to be a restaurant dining experience.
The bar – photo by Evan Sung
The upstairs dining room – photo by Evan Sung
Main floor dining room – photo by Evan Sung
To learn more about the new restaurant, visit baazi.us.
No delivery or takeout??????????
Good luck with that.
The takeout arm of this restaurant is operated as “Awadh” (the menu is slightly different).
Hindu is a religion, Hindi is a language
“The name Baazi (‘bet’ in Hindu) references Gaurav’s decision to”
“Hindu” is not a language. Hindi is correct.