BWW Preview: KOKUM in the Curry Hill Neighborhood of NYC Announces New Menu Options

While New York City has no shortage of Indian restaurants, the new management team at Kokum has launched a revamped, one-of-a-kind menu that will be the only in the city to represent four regions of Southern India-Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra.

Michelin-starred chef/owner Hemant Mathur, of Fine Indian Dining Restaurant Group fame, wanted to evolve the menu to fully represent the cuisine of South India. The new management team he selected includes Executive Chef Roshan Balan, who grew up cooking alongside his father, a skillful chef, and went on achieve a diploma in hotel management from Merit Swiss Asian School of Hotel Management in New Delhi. Completing the team is Min Bhujel, who previously worked at the prestigious Crown Plaza Hotel in Nepal, and will continue to helm the restaurant as front of house manager.

The menu features a mix of Southern Indian starters, such as Medhu Vadai, lentil donuts with coconut chutney and sambhar, and various Dosas. The main dishes represent the four regions with a variety of meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes. Tamil Nadu offerings focus on skillfully flavored vegetarian dishes, such as Keerai Masiyal, with spinach, lentils and red chilies, as well as meat selections like Chicken Kothumalli with coconut and fresh coriander. Kerala cuisine revolves around seafood like Meen Polichattu, cod roasted in banana leaf with a green masala or Konju Pappas, with shrimp, kokum (a fruit similar to tamarind), coconut milk and fresh tomatoes. From Karnataka, dishes include Kori Gassi, spicy coconut chicken curry, and Yeti Ghee Roast, a Mangalorean dish of fried shrimp, coated in a house-made sauce with spices and ghee. Andhra specialties include meat and seafood selections such as Gongura Lamb, cooked with sorrel leaves and a spicy Andhra-style curry and Mirapakai Kodi, a blend of chicken, fresh coconut and curry leaves, as well as seafood selections like Chepala Pulusu, spicy fish made with a tangy tamarind gravy, and vegetarian Gutti Venkaya Kura, eggplant in a lentil gravy. Traditional Andhra Biryanis are also featured, as well as some standard dishes like Chicken Masala and Lamb Curry, and a variety of house-made breads.

For lunch, consider one of the special Thalis, designed to offer guests the variety typical of a complete South Indian meal, with a curry of your choice, served with rice, lentils, vegetables, sambhar, Indian pickle and raita, fresh baked bread and dessert.

Dessert continues the adherence to well-executed and traditional Indian fare from across the country, with classics like Payasam, vermicelli rice pudding and cardamom, and Rasmalai, soft cheese patties with a cream reduction.

A selection of Indian tea and coffee are available, including the Ginger Masala Chai with warm milk and Darjeeling tea, and Madras Degree Coffee with chicory, coffee and milk. Moru, a popular South Indian beverage made with buttermilk, curry leaves and asafetida, a resin from the sap of a giant fennel variety, will also be offered. A full bar with beer, wine and cocktails is also part of the newly updated menu.

Kokum is located at 106 Lexington Ave. between 27th and 28th. Call 212-684-6842 or visit www.KokumNY.com. . KokumNY.com. Hours of Operation: Lunch Monday-Friday Noon-3 p.m., Dinner Monday-Friday 5 p.m.-11p.m., Saturday Noon-11 p.m., Sunday Noon to 10:30 p.m.

Photo Credit: Jason Greenspan

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