Ishq

We made a reservation a few weeks in advance and were seated well before our reservation time!We loved every item we ordered. Highly recommend: the Kadak rumali, jalebi chaat, lamb chops, lahsooni oysters, paneer laung latta and the desserts.Would love to come back and try the other dishes and drinks!

Of the 3 main words in the Hindustani lexicon for love, "ishq" is the most fleeting. It is simultaneously tacky yet suggestive. You would never profess your love to someone by saying that you had been overcome with "ishq."Similarly, my feelings about this new modern desi eatery in Alphabet City are hard to pin down. Things started on a high note, with the excellent malai soya chaap - a cousin to the paneer tikka kebab that's less commonly found on menus in the U.S., the malai sauce had a lovely fragrance to it, and the soya itself was tender. The so-called roomali appetizer, while a bit hard to eat logistically, was quite unique with a nice blend of cheeses on top.Unfortunately my initial infatuation started to subside while moving into the main course. The paneer was a bit too floral, and the texture was rather chewy. The daal was fine, but not something I'd eat with chawal for pachas saal.

We snagged a reservation at Ishq a week in advance for a Friday night dinner, and I highly recommend booking ahead. Upon arrival, we chose a dinner table, but the bar seating area caught our attention - its unique setup would be ideal for an intimate dinner or date night.The modern and chic decor, paired with a curated Bollywood playlist, created a vibrant atmosphere. Noise levels were moderate, allowing for easy conversation. The staff, from the hostess to our server David, were friendly and attentive.For drinks, we ordered the Ishq In Mussoorie cocktail ($19.00) and the Gul & Gulaab mocktail ($14.00). While the mocktail was overly sweet and lacking in jamun flavor, the cocktail was decent.The Venison Varuval appetizer ($27.00) exceeded expectations, served with mind-blowing Kerala parottas. The Dudhiya Kabab ($19.00) offered a unique flavor profile that we enjoyed.Unfortunately, they had run out of biryani, so we opted for the Dum Ka Ghost ($33.00) with Saffron Rice ($5.00). While the meat was delicious, the cardamom flavor overpowered the dish. To make up for the wait, our server kindly provided complimentary garlic naan.For dessert, the Kaala Jamun Tart ($17.00) impressed with its presentation, and the dessert lover at our table enjoyed it.Overall, our experience was positive, and we're eager to return and try some of the crowd-pleasing dishes we saw at other tables.

The food is a little bit of a hit and miss depending on what you order. The good: sharabi chicken tikka, oysters, gupchup, butter chicken, ishq dal-e-khaasThe average : dum ka gosht, malai chaap, dudhiya kebab, paneer laung pattaTheir menu specifies rumali roti but I've been here twice and they never have it. I've tried both of their desserts and although innovative, didn't quite hit the mark for me. I do love their plates and cutlery, they've put in a lot of effort there. Overall, it's not a bad Indian restaurant but it's not doing enough to be the best either!

Easy to make reservation for a weekday for a large group of six. The interior was very spacious. It kept the layout from its prior establishment with a shared large communal table right as you walk in with separate dining tables towards the end.We liked the apps more than the entrees. For the apps, we got chaat, the adhra golbi, lamb chops and the kodi.The entrees were ok. We got the butter chicken, the mushroom curry and the biryani. Overall good option for Indian food but didnt quite blow us away to make us want to come back any time soon. Wanted more entree options.

Had an amazing dinner at Ishq this weekend.We had a reservation and were seated right away.We ordered a couple of drinks and loved Gul and Gulaab mocktail.For the small plates,we had jalebi chaat,chicken tikka and lamb chops.Everything tasted exceptional.Chicken tikka is probably one of the best i have had.Coming from someone who used to live in New Delhi.Lamb chops were exceptional.For the mains,we had murgh mussalum and nalli ghost biryani.Both of them were delicious.And we had the junnu pavlova for the dessert.It was pretty tasty as well.Worth visiting this place for the exceptional food and service.Loved the decor of the bar area.

Food was good but nothing was particular spectacular. I would reorder everything, except for the Lamb Nagrisi Kofta. It was a weird texture, somewhat like a meatball that was packed way too tightly. There was no lamb flavor either, almost tasted like fake/vegan meat. It was lowkey weird. But I enjoyed every other dish we ordered, which were the Gupchup, Paneer, and Flambe Chicken. The flavors were on point and nothing was over the top. The Garlic Naan dipped into the Paneer might have been my favorite part of the night. I do think the service could've been a little better and more engaging, but overall a good experience. Come if you want modern Indian and a nice ambiance!

A modern Indian spot -- ambiance was nice, would totally bring parents here! They're surprisingly large inside and it's so nice to have an upscale spot like this in the East Village! They have really fun cocktails, liked everything we got. I liked pretty much everything we got but standouts include Mushroom Curry, Lobster Malai and Ishq Daal. The lobster in particular was super unique, never had anything like it. Small plates and apps were also delish -- Baked Oysters were fun! I'd totally come back for a special occasion.

Recently visited newly opened Ishq in New York City, which marks Chef Adi Vamshi's second venture in the culinary world after Gazab.ISHQ which means "love" in Hindi, is a new Indian restaurant at 202 Avenue A in NYC's East Village. ISHQ is led by Executive Chef-Owner Vamshi Adi, who brings a modern flair to regional Indian cuisine.We triedDrinksIshq in MussoorieGul GulabSmall platesKADAK RUMALIJALEBI CHAATSOYA MALAI CHAAPVENISON VARUVALNIZAMI LAMB CHOPSEntréePANEER LAUNG LATTANALLI GHOST BIRYANIDessertKALA JAMUN TARTLook for small plates like Jalebi chaat, Venison Varuval, a Southern Indian dish traditionally made with deer meat, reimagined with tender pulled venison, topped with pickled shallots and dried coconut and vegetarian offerings like Soya Malai Chaap, a Northern Indian-inspired alternative to chicken, prepared in a creamy curry with nutmeg, house-made Amul cheese, and crispy fenugreek tulie.Entrée such as Paneer Laung Latta, a nut-stuffed paneer lasagna served with a rich Lababdar gravy.The interior features a 30-seat pink quartz bar, illuminated by soft off-white floral lighting while the dining room offers floral wallpaper and soothing peach tones, accented by pops of vibrant red and natural rattan elements.At Ishq, tradition meets innovation on every plate. The dishes are steeped in authenticity, drawing from the rich culinary heritage of India's diverse regions. Each recipe has been meticulously crafted to preserve its original flavors, yet plated with an artistic flair that speaks to modern sensibilities.With the unique flavours of Ishq's drinks and dishes, it was an unforgettable experience.Whether you're reconnecting with old friends or meeting new ones join them in East Village for a night of fantastic vibes!Thank you team Ishq and Chef Adi Vamshi for such unique and unforgettable experience Definitely coming back again and highly recommended

WOOOWWW , saw this trending Indian restaurant and it lived up to its hype. Definitely check it out if you in the city . Loved the ambiance of this place it was unique and everything was imported from India. We got seated right away , and it was packed for a Tuesday night. Reservation is definitely recommend. Food was amazing as you can tell by the pictures. Must try's are the lamb chops and the hanging chicken tikka. The butter chicken didn't disappoint either. Service - 10/10 Food Came Out Fast Ambiance -10/10Parking - Metered Reservations- Recommended