Photo by Evan Sung
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Eater has released its latest roundup of the best Indian restaurants in New York City, and a relative newcomer on the Upper West Side has earned a spot on the list.
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Located at 2588 Broadway at 97th Street, Baazi opened in early 2022 under the direction of Chef Gaurav Anand, who previously ran Awadh in the same space for nearly a decade. Known for his inventive approach to Indian cuisine, Anand takes traditional flavors and reimagines them with global influences, blending Mediterranean and South Asian elements to create lighter, more contemporary dishes.Eater highlighted Baazi’s “hard-to-find regional recipes from India’s northern and southern regions, including Goa and Kolkata,” calling out menu items such as chicken sirka pyaaz laced with pickled onions, goat bihari in spiced buttermilk stew, and seven-leaf saag paneer.
When the restaurant first opened, Anand told diners not to expect standard fare like samosas or paneer tikka masala. Instead, he introduced dishes like chicken cafreal and trout recheado, cod koliwada fish and chips with okra fries, and tamarind-glazed lamb ribs. Even the vegetarian plates are designed to surprise, coaxing flavor from whole roasted spices rather than relying on powders.
Chicken Cafreal – photo by Evan Sung
Fish Koliwada – photo by Evan Sung
Glazed Lamb Ribs – Photo by Evan Sung
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Baazi’s name—derived from the Hindi word for “bet”—is a nod to Anand’s decision to take a creative risk during the pandemic by introducing a new concept centered on refinement and presentation. The two-story restaurant, painted a striking blue, features a Mediterranean-inspired interior with a flower wall and live olive tree.While Baazi has received praise for its design and bold menu, reviews are mixed. The restaurant holds a 4.1-star rating on Google from more than 300 reviewers, with some diners citing issues with service, portion sizes, and pricing.
Still, Eater’s recognition places Baazi among New York City’s top Indian dining destinations—a notable achievement for a chef who continues to redefine the boundaries of modern Indian cuisine on the Upper West Side.
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