Until recently, there had yet to be a time in my life when I thought, "My God, that swiss chard is striking." And yet, here we are, staring at the show-stopping "Powderfinger" cocktail at new Chelsea restaurant aRoqa on 9th Avenue. I don't even like swiss chard, but there's no doubting the curb appeal of that beauty, which was designed by Head Mixologist Stephen Thomas.
Unusual pairings—like the sugar beet vodka, strawberry, aged balsamic and pink peppercorn that go into the cocktail mentioned above—are the thrust of the operation at aRoqa, which is run by Gaurav Anand, who also owns excellent slow-cooking dum pukht-style cuisine restaurant Awadh on the UWS, with business partner Monica Saxena. The menu is Indian in roots, but international in execution, like pairing fried lotus stems with avocado, tomatillos and green chile, or offering mushroom-saffron croquettes with a goat cheese sauce...and serving it in a "bicycle."
Other notable collaborations: Vindaloo Momos ($12), pork dumplings with bacon crumble, green apples and vindaloo sauce; a Habanero Tikka where chicken kebab comes with habanero aioli and parmesan crisps; and Butternut Squash Kofte served with kale chips. There they go making those greens sound sexy again.
206 9th Avenue, 646-678-5471; aroqanyc.com
ARoqa Opening Menu by Nell Casey on Scribd
ARoqa Cocktail Wine & Beer Menu by Nell Casey on Scribd
