Just a few weeks ago, a brand new Indian restaurant called Anar opened at 933 Amsterdam Avenue at 106th Street. Anar’s website describes it as “wholesome food served with warmth and care,” and after my experience there, I can 100% back this up. I walked in on a brisk evening and took in the warm atmosphere almost instantly. The interior felt very home-y with hanging lights and exposed brick walls. As I walked to my table, I couldn’t wait to try the food!
When I asked chef and manager Piyush what the restaurant’s cuisine was like, he explained it as a focus on popular dishes from all different parts of India. Anar’s three very talented chefs each have 20 years of experience and bring in expertise from the four different elements of traditional Indian cuisine: appetizers, tandoori, curries and dessert. Piyush said it’s very hard to find chefs who are well-versed in all four and is proud to have them in Anar’s kitchen.
Cumin & Garlic Lamb Chops Tandoori
Crispy Okra – Kurkuri Bhindi
Aloo Gobhee Adrak Masala
Looking through the menu, I was surprised by the number of dishes they serve. There are an endless number of appetizers and entrees that sounded amazing from their brief descriptions alone. Being someone who orders Chicken Tikka Masala every single time, I was excited to try something different …
… In addition to Anar’s Chicken Tikka Masala; I’ll let the photo speak for itself!
Anar’s appetizer menu comes with traditional dishes like their savory vegetable samosas, as well as special modern dishes, like their delicious Anar Chicken Lollipops which are served on the bone with the perfect mix of spicy and sweet.
Vegetable Samosas
Anar Chicken Lollipops
They also served different flavors of Indian breads (kulchas, naans, rotis, and parathas) and Indian beverages like mango lassi and chass.
Mango Lassi
But, what makes Anar special is the vast array of tandoori and curries offered on their menu. Once that plate hits your table, the blend of spices hits your nose and you won’t be able to wait to dig in! I was blown away by not only the flavors and vibrancy of each of the dishes, but also with how tender and perfectly cooked they were. I promise you won’t find a juicier tandoori lamb chop anywhere else!
Tandoori Platter
Lentil Curry
Indian cuisine is known for its intricate use of spices, and each curry had just the right amount of heat which didn’t overpower any of its bold flavors. One of these included their special Mahi-Mahi Curry which had this beautiful red color from the chili that they use.
Special Mahi Mahi Curry
They even have a Coconut Chicken Curry – which can’t be found in many Indian restaurants – because they use a whole, organic roasted coconut instead of processed coconut cream.
Everything made at Anar is super fresh and made-to-order. The staff work with the mindset that the customer is always right, so if you like your curries to be on the spicier side, they’ll be happy to kick it up a notch for you.
My Anar experience concluded with the sweetest Gulab Jamun and a cup of hot Masala Chai, and I couldn’t think of a better way to end the evening. If you’re ever craving quality Indian cuisine at a very affordable price, Anar is the best choice. They are a great addition to the Upper West Side and we welcome them with open arms!
Gulab Jamun
Masala Chai
Anar is offering a 10% discount for both pickup and delivery when orders are placed on their website directly at anaronline.com.
You can also find them on GrubHub, Seamless and Uber Eats.
