Restaurant Review: Amla

Indian food has always been problematic in my family. My father and sister have a higher tolerance for spiciness than I do, my mother's tolerance is much lower than any of us, and that's before we even get into the problems with specific foodstuffs. As such, it tends to be very difficult to find an Indian restaurant that has enough dishes for everyone to get something that they can eat. However, there is a bright spot on the horizon. Earlier this year a new Indian restaurant opened up right in my neighborhood that offers perhaps a wider array of delicious delicacies than any other eatery we've ever come across.

Built in the same space as a previous Indian restaurant, Amla is different from many similar establishments. When I stopped to look at the menu, I noticed that there were a greater number of vegetarian dishes than the two other major restaurants in the area ("Indian Cafe" and "Indus Valley"). Upon further examination, I decided that this establishment dealt with, at least to a degree, more with foods from the south of India, which has a strong vegetarian tradition. Meats and seafood are on offer as well, along with multiple breads and various rice dishes.

The decor and atmosphere in the restaurant is equally innovative. Warm colors of gold, orange and brown surround the diners; the metal wall sconces are shaped like twisting stems with cut-glass flowers as shades for the light bulbs; Indian music plays softly from multiple speakers; and best of all, the service is impeccable. The only major flaw of the place is their desserts; I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but nearly all of the desserts were dairy-based/made with condensed milk, usually with some other minor element that served as flavoring.


All things considered, Amla is most certainly a worthy addition to the restaurant scene in my neighborhood, and my family and I certainly plan on returning in the future. Based on our experience, the cost was roughly $25 per person, so if you're willing to go for it, I would highly recommend you plan your next date or gathering at this remarkable Indian eatery.

AMLA | NEW YORK'S FINEST INDIAN CUISINE 

Cooking Tips 103

Cooking rice
One important thing to remember when making rice is to stir it as little as possible. Once or twice to break it up a little is fine, but excess stirring will make it mushy and stick together.

Potato patties
If you have leftover mashed potatoes lying around, make them into croquettes! Just form the potatoes into patties, heat up a frying pan with a little oil (see 101 for an oil tip), crisp them up on both sides, and you've got a tasty treat!

Sweet Sauces
If you plan on using sauces, marinades or other flavorings in your recipes that contain significant amounts of natural or refined sugars (such as fruit preserves, chutneys, certain kinds of teriyaki and BBQ sauces ect...), just be aware that those flavorings can caramelize and burn very easily when exposed to direct heat. Just be conscious that the outside of whatever you're cooking doesn't get too crispy for your liking.