In order for a restaurant to really sing, it needs more than stellar servings. Ashoka on 2nd Avenue nails this adage with an eclectic roster of drinks, from wines and beers to lassi and martinis, and live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. At this Upper East Side Indian hotspot, choose from traditional appetizers like the fragrant tandoori mushroom (portabella mushroom, roasted garlic, spices, coconut chutney) and anjeer aur kele ke kebab (green plantain, figs, ginger juice, spices, cilantro, turmeric, lemon juice). Next, treat your tastebuds to favorites like tender lamb or goat rogan josh (goat curry, kashmiri chili paste, garlic, golden onions, home ground spices), luscious lobster masala (lobster tail, shiitake mushrooms, chopped onions, garlic, white wine), or chana pindi (chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, pomegranate seeds).
Pair your meal a delicious bread, like naans ranging from peshawari (stuffed with nuts and dried fruits) to rosemary and garlic. And we know you won't want to skip dessert, so finish with one worthy of the gods - like the anjeer kulfi (Indian homemade ice cream, fig infusion, saffron) or sharifa kheer (almond, apple flavored rice pudding, saffron milk).