aRoqa Reviews

Their food is amazing. Unique and very tasty. We had their filter coffee icecream and it was amazing. Went with a group of 3 Indians and everyone loved it. We highly recommend this place for good and unique Indian food

Our son turned 40 in April and my wife and I came up from Virginia, , along with family in NY and NJ, took him to our favorite restaurant Aroqa which we have been visiting and enjoying for many years. Owner Monica Saxena wasn’t there but she made sure her staff took great care of us providing chef extras and a great Birthday send-off. This is the reason we refuse to go to any other restaurant..service and incredible food. For appetizers: Murg Chop, paratwals paneer, prawn cutlets, prawns, chili chicken and kebab. Multiple orders. Entrees lamb biryani, chicken biryani, chicken tikka, goan shrimp curry, and bread basket. Drinks 206 Fashion, chipotle margarita, marigold and smoke and soft drinks. All served timely at the perfect temperature. Jostin, Sachin, the Manager and other staff made it a memorable evening. Aroqa deserves all the stars it receives. Ms Saxena and staff YOU ROCK!!!

Not your usual Indian fare. Forget the curries this is almost tapas style. Lots of good choices. We tried many of the selections and most were top notch. Staff are very friendly and welcoming and there's a good bar. Took a little time to get seated.

Food is awesome. Inventive, creative Indian. Two of us split six dishes. Could not finish it all, but not for lack of trying. Service sometimes a bit lacking. Sit in the front.

An inventive menu -- have never had Ghost Peppers in a dish before! -- and excellent service. And though while good, something seemed to be held back from the dishes. The specialty house cocktail with the dry ice was fun (and tasty). We had the Ghost Pepper chicken, the Saag Paneer, and the lamb shank. Sauce on the lamb shank was very good.

We went to aRoqa with a few friends who were all visiting from various parts of the country. As someone who was born in Delhi and now lives in SF, I am your classic Indian food snob. Let me say, aRoqa did not disappoint. The ambience, the food, the service, and the engagement with Monica (the owner) convince me that this place is among the top NYC indian restaurants. Everything on the menu is prepared with great attention to detail, and the presentation is incredible. The spices were just perfect. The drinks menu was amazing. We had so many things since it was a big group, but the lamb chops, the konkani prawns, chicken tikka masala, and aloo gobhi are to die for! This will be our go-to NYC indian restaurant next time we visit. It should be yours too!

Really good, flavorful food. Eclectic preparation and delivery. Excellent mixed drinks. Decor needs a redo but service was very good!

The appetizers were delicious. The chicken chops as well as Shammi kebabs were well done nicely marinated. They had run out of dora kebab and Lukmi. This was in 930 p.m.The restaurant was busy and we sat at the bar. The 3 drinks that we ordered were mediocre at best and over priced to say the least. Dum ki Nalli and Khade Tamatar ka Murgh Were both tasty but served at room temperature. Obviously they had been sitting for a while in the kitchen. Both dishes could've used a little bit more gravy. Lastly, the naans were of good quality, but extremely small, especially for the price they are charging.No one person should be able to eat two full naans and still be wanting for more. The ultimate marker for restaurant for me is Ford I go there again? And the answer to that is the resounding yes. The 4 stars are for the above-mentioned reasons

On our biannual visit to NYC, this one being the Christmas Holidays, we made reservations at our one and only favorite South Asian restaurant AROQA owned by Monica Saxena. There are a wide variety of others, many suggested by friends and family, but this is the ONLY place we visit where we know service and delicious food are guaranteed. This was an especially timely visit as our younger son who lives in NYC and is a frequent diner, mentioned there were numerous changes to the menu we last enjoyed and suggested we sample the new items on the menu. It was a family gathering and as usual we had one of the tables in the back. The restaurant was packed as usual. We had a number of servers including Jostin and all were excellent. For drinks, the Reiling, 206 Fashion, Emerald Proposal and Tito’s. For appetizers and main courses: Murgh Barra Chicken chops; costal crab cakes (excellent), pit roasted lamb chops (a variation of the old dish); char grilled paneer; grilled lobster masala (exciting new dish; paturi Chilean seabass; chicken bhuna; Awadhi chicken; Punjabi Patiala Lamb Shank; rice and naan. For dessert Gulab creme brulee and Shahi Tukra. Owner Saxena arranged for us to also gave a comp dessert. ALL of the new menu items were delicious, full of flavor and served at the right temperatures. There were no carry-out boxes as all the food was finished. Congrats to Owner Monica and her team for maintaining the standards of excellence for AROQA and it will continue to be the first choice for our visits.

Presentation-- Fabulous Cocktails -- Great Taste--Good and with a difference Deserts -- Excellent Best Desert -- Coconut Kheer Staff-- Pleasant and eager to please Value For Money -- Reasonable

I planned a special get together with friends and was very disappointed by my experience. The food was average and overpriced. My main concern about this restaurant is the poor service. I felt rushed even though the restaurant was empty. The waiter recommended that we order way too much food, resulting in a costly bill and many leftovers. I asked to order a drink and the waiter condescendingly responded that my table (all of age) looked “way too young.” His demeanor suggested that he was ready to catch us in a lie for being underaged, yet we are all working professionals?? I’m completely fine if I need to be carded, but I would prefer not to be insulted when trying to enjoy a special dinner (a pricey one, at that). aRoqa, please hire staff that understand the baseline expectations for working in fine-dining. To anyone interested in trying to find a good Indian spot in NYC, any takeout restaurant will provide you with much better respect and food.

Four of us came here for dinner and had the opportunity to try a fairly wide assortment of dishes. Some of it was exceptional (vindaloo momos, chicken chops) and some of it was decent (lamb pilaf, corn padu) and the rest of it was somewhere in between. The one thing that surprised me the most was the chicken makhni kulcha, it was absolutely delicious. The ambiaince and service was nice. Overall a pleasant dining experience.

Went with friends and really enjoyed the place. I would highly recommend it if you want Indian food or just a great happy hour. Ownership obviously cares a lot about their customers.

Contemporary undian without losing the traditional flavors. Chicken Tikka Masala is phenomenal and curry is so delicate in your mouth. The bread is phenomenal. I would have ordered just the basket!

This restaurant was beyond my husband, Leo, and my expectations. The staff were incredibly attentive, and the food....simply amazing. It’s the beat Indian food we have ever had and the couple sitting next to us agreed. The mushroom appetizer was melt in your mouth food, my chicken tikka was divine (and I’ve tried a lot of them). My husband has the goat and loved it. Go here, but make a reservation as they were packed.

Great gem in Chelsea! The drinks are fantastic! The mixologists are friendly, creative and aim to please. The dinner menu is diversified. The kulchas!!!! Try all them. You can't go wrong. My favorite is the chicken. You'll see why:) The duck leg confit is marvelous. Last time we dined here we had the seabass (Rechado macchi) and chicken kebab (Habanero Tikka). We also had the Katafi mushrooms. The waiters are great! The ambiance is hip and laid back. Great for dates or just hanging w friends.

We rarely have Indian food and are not fond of hot spices in our food, but we were invited here and wanted to try something new. The experience overall was very good: nice ambiance, good service, the server explained the dishes and took great care to recommend something not so spicy for us (the other people at the table like Indian food and went for the spicy ones). I tasted the spicier dishes as well and found them... Interesting. I guess it's an acquired taste. Overall we had a good time and it was interesting to try something new. I cannot give an opinion about the dishes; they did taste good but I don't have other experience to compare. Maybe next time.

Each dish had different flavors and the presentation was unique. I loved the Ghost Chilli Chicken kebabs and the Lamb Chops. There is clearly a thought put into creating each of the dishes and making it different than your average indian food yet maintaining the flavors of indian cooking.The drinks were to die for, the presentation was unique and loved all our drinks. Each time we asked for more food or drinks or any other question, the staff was very quick in getting us what we needed. This was a place we stumbled upon and we are glad we did.

Visited relatives in NYC on a special trip and of course no matter how many other restaurants are recommended its always a visit to Monica Saxena’s Aroqa that we visit. Chelsea was our host and was very attentative. For appetizers murg chicken chops, coastal crab cakes (delicious) and for our entrees grilled lobster, Chilean seabass and the special chicken dish. We were treated to a delicious dessert. Amazing food always.

I stopped for a small dinner, some Naan and dessert. It was my first time at Aroqa, so I asked my excellent server Carlos for suggestions. I had the tasty cauliflower ‘taste plate” called Lasuni Gobi. It was a perfect balance between spicy with a touch of sweet. The garlic naan was soft and delicious and the dessert, Coopa Pastatio was a great, cool small ending to a small dinner.

Stepped out of my comfort zone here because the plating looked beautiful and it’s right across the street from me. I have to tell you that all three of us LOVED the meal. All the seasons blend together beautifully. Can’t wait to return!

Always a favorite of ours, we made a reservation and received a table we requested at the rear given the cold wind outside. Service and food always great. However there was a new chef from Nepal and we expected some differences. The costal crab was softer and 90% as good as the previous chef. Swet aftertaste was missing. Broke apart too easily. Lobster curry, chicken bhuna gone from the menu which were among our favorites. Still rates high with fish fry, murgh chicken, coastal pepper prawns

Visiting from London for a short break and came across this restaurant with my friend and our 2 twelve year olds. Was v busy and didn’t expect to get a table but owner went out of her way to get us seated. Food was different, not your traditional Indian , but delicious and the kids were easily accommodated, vegetarian options were really good. Would definitely return!

What a disaster! Table was close to the door every time door opens cold air draft would come The owner & a chef Gaurav Anand talking to some one for few minutes holding the door open . So we requested him to close the door . He was extremely rude & instead of apologizing started cursing with four letter words! Do you expect this from an owner of the restaurant ? Totally unprofessional!! After spending so much money do you expect yourself to get humiliated like this ? Would never go back Rest of the staff was not bad

Congrats to Owner Monica Saxena who is now sole owner of this amazing restaurant that consistently serves excellent food! My wife and I were celebrating our Anniversary by spending a weekend in NYC and wanted to try again aROQA as we had an incredible experience our first visit. Our daughter joined us and I sent an e mail requesting an nice table for us. On arrival Owner Saxena personally greeted us and made sure we had a nice table at the back and ensured we had all the time in the world to enjoy our meal. This on a very busy night. While waiting for our daughter the bartender mixed a special drink for my wife who normally only drinks Moscato. She loved it and so did I. A sign of how individually you are made to feel. Here are all of the dishes and drinks we had, all wonderful, tasty, and beautifully presented by Villa our server. Bhatia Murg ki champ Plantation 3 stars Habanero Tikka Kurkuri Bhel Sigree Lobster aRoqa duck leg confit Amul Kulcha Shikampuri Kulcha ARoqa Daulat ki chaat What a wonderful treat to have such delicious food . Owner Saxena came around a few times to check with us as she did with others. What a personal touch. An incredible evening and we can’t wait to return. Monica Saxena you and your staff Rock!

Being a foodie myself, I routinely explore new restaurants while visiting different cities. This holiday season we took the kids to NYC for the weekend and like any other evening had a family discussion on dinner plans. My quick review and research resulted in aRoqa which caught my attention. A Thai restaurant also made to the top. But Thai food lost and Indian food won. After dinner, my son says "I am glad, we came here rather than going to Thai food". That sums it up all for my review. aRoqa is a an experience where we finally see that Indian food can be cooked, prepared and presented in a way that is unique yet it still tastes like indian food. Whether it is the cocktails, the appetizers, the main dish, kulchas or even dessert, the food had a ton of flavors and you walk out with a smile on your face. While most indian restaurants have only a few dishes that you like, aRoqa had a 10/10. When in NYC, one should definitely go and enjoy a nice meal with friends and family.

I’m not from America so I can’t judge this by the standard of American restaurants. The meals were ok, the prices for food were ok, wine prices were through the roof but this is New York. Service was good but not great. Decor is sophisticated. The ability to book a table online is good. Over $200 for 2 appetizers, 2 mains and a bottle of wine. I am a bit surprised that they are mentioned in the Michelin Guide but maybe the New York bar is set very low???

Excellent food, not your standard Indian Curry’s but Indian flavours with a modern twist.. Presentation was superb & cocktails to die for.. Great place!!

Two of us went to the restaurant and had a wonderful time - from the cocktail steaming with dry to the coconut kheer dessert. This is a modern take on Indian food and it is fun and tasty. The portions are small so make sure that you order an extra dish or two.

This place is fantastic. So much so that over our visit we went twice as there were so many fabulous things to try. The cocktails come with drama and spectacle as do some of the dishes. Really great place.

Recently had the very fortunate opportunity to visit this hip, small but most amazing Indian restaurant in the City as a pre-birthday treat by my family and later during the last snow blizzard. The quality of food and great service was consistent both times which is always the mark of a great restaurant! The bar and drinks menu is extensive and tastefully served at both bar and table. One of the specialties Shadowplay arrives in a ceramic bowl with dry-ice smoke emitting from the bowl’s hole-punched sides. For appetizers we had Kurkuri Bhel - lotus stems, avocado - tomatillo- green chili emulsion, tamarind chutney Habanero Tikka - Incredible tasting chicken kebab Parsi Chimbori - Rich tasting crab For main courses, we enjoyed: Bhatti Murg ki Champ - chicken chops with rum flambé. Superb Sigree Lobster - soft delicious crab with lemon pepper sauce aRoqa Duck - specialty coconut curry Dum ki Nalli - lamb shank with saffron. The meat tender tasty and amazing Khade Tamatar ka Murgh - Chicken bit different cooked in butter sauce The kulcha was perfect as an accompaniment As if that wasn’t sufficient, my Birthday dessert served by the chef and one of the owners was Daulet Ki Chaat, a tres leches-inspired dessert with a baba rum base, saffron milk foam and blackberries is served in a clay vessel that releases dry ice smoke, unveiling the light and delicate treat A perfect dinner and celebration for my Birthday weekend with my incredible family. This place may be a bit small and not the best ambiance like BaarBaar, but is heads and shoulders in quality of food including dessert making your trip a memorable one as it was to me. A most highly recommend and I can’t wait for another trip to New York to enjoy dinner at aRoqa.

We recently went to three new Indian hip restaurants in NYC. Aroqa: Best chef of the three. Of the dozen odd dishes our party tried all ranged from very good to excellent. The chef is really talented. The vegetarian dishes in particular were exemplary. The chicken, pork and lobster were uniformly superb as well. Also the food was high quality Indian without any fusion layers. And the toys the food was served in (trucks, carts etc.) added to the fun. Unfortunately, the experience starts and end with the food. To be fair the cocktails were pretty good- if your into fiery drinks this is your watering hole. But the overall ambiance was sub-par. The place is very small with a drafty room that the heating cannot keep up with on a cold evening. However what was bordering on unacceptable were the dirty, food stained cocktail menu and the filthy floor below our table. Service was also just ok. For a place that ends up costing close to $100pp for a full meal with a couple of drinks this is a real problem. So I would say best food of the three, worst ambiance. Make a choice. Baar Baar: Hits all the high notes- superb ambiance, great service and a magnificent glass enclosed wine cellar clearly visible from the dining area. I must say this place has a vibe and is one that will hit all the high notes. Great cocktails and bar scene as well. The food was very good, but did not the level of Aroqa; there was a greater fusion aspect here. But overall Baar Baar is my favorite Indian place in the city. Rahi: An intimate space but very well laid out with a great bar and excellent food. The finest Indian desserts I have had- the beetle leaf “Paan” covered with chocolate is just super. The food was very good indeed, some in our party found the spice level a little overwhelming in some of the dishes but most things were very good. Nice wine service and excellent overall service. So, I would rank them as follows: Baar Baar- overall best, food very good but slightly below Rahi (to my taste) and below Aroqa. Best Bar and a wow wine cellar. Rahi: Excellent overall, #2 behind Baar Baar overall, but better food and intimate ambiance, great service- happy to go there anytime. Aroqa: #1 for food but #3 overall. Very rough around the edges- needs better management, especially given the quality of the for. Clean up the place, please.

We were glad to have dined at aRoqa, all the dishes we tried were delicious and tastefully presented. The service also matched up to the food. I would recommend all to go to this fun and amazing restaurant.we were pleased to meet Monica , founder of this amazing place ...a person so very passionate about food 🥘

Absolutely wonderful modern Indian cuisine. Novel takes on delicious traditional dishes. Cozy setting so reservation a must

The food was good but not amazing. The food had some show but didn't taste great. The lamb shank was very good as was the lobster. The kheer was good in desserts.

Indian food with a twist ! A pleasing bar which offers tapas style small plates of innovative Indian cuisine . Recommend the shikhampuri mince kebabs and paratwala paneer ( vegetarian ) . There is a limited collection of mains , but the small length of the menu is the USP as each course is carefully crafted . A fine addition to cuisine in Chelsea !

The butter chicken Mac & cheese is a must for brunch. They have bottomless mimosa/champagne if that’s your thing. The Indian omelette was fine but nothing special. The vegetarian dosa was good. Reasonably priced for brunch. It was fairly empty but good enough that I’d try it for dinner.

The food was excellent, but the management mismanaged a broken air conditioning system. The Restaurant was very hot yet no one from management took the time to come to at least our table and apologize for the inconvenience. Even after we told the waiter that it was way too hot he did not have the sense to tell management about our complaint (good management would teach the waitstaff to come to them when a patron has a complaint). This experience left a bad taste and around in our mounts. The food however was quite good and innovative. The small plates were indeed small portions, but it was fun to have 3 of the small plates as appetizers. The main course of Lamb biryani was delicious and quite a large portion. We also had the duck confit main course. The skin was crispy and we were pleasantly surprised to see it was served with rice. It was odd that the tasty sauce was just poured on the plate like a puddle. It’s too bad that management did not try to be extra nice to diners due to heat. Because of this mismanagement I will not go to this restaurant again.

aRoqa is a welcome addition to Chelsea. It is elegant but not outrageously priced. The drinks are imaginative without being too fussy. Most importantly th food is outstanding. I've been there three times and will be back often.

We were given a warm welcome when our wedding party was moving between venues landed on them unexpectedly. We didn't eat but the drinks and the owner couldn't be faulted

Found this gem by chance. Excellent food. Small plates were just right to experience different Indian dishes. Highly recommend!

Given all the high ratings that this restaurant has received, we decided to try it out the other day. It is definitely does not live upto its hype. The drinks are creative (similar to a few other Indian joints in downtown). The menu is very limited and the food is very standard fare Indian food. Some of the dishes are presented differently. Taste was ok; halloween ambience was hideous. Service was ok. Overall not the best I have been to.

It was very nice service and very tasty, but the size of the dishes is ridiculous. The shared dish for 2 people .but it wasn't enough for a child I will not come again

delicious indian food, classic & creative. chef has worked in Europe and India. owner is highly educated charming Indian woman. great Indian food in New York in romantic setting in chelsea.

Best and most innovative Indian restaurant I have ever eaten at. Think Indian style Tapas. Food was just simply delicious. Service at bar and maitre de was just ok. Our waitress however, was outstanding. I can't wait to return.

This has become one of my favorite Indian restaurants in the city. Price: It’s a bit pricey and many of the portions are small for the price but the taste of the food definitely makes up for it. Drinks are also pricey but they are unique. Food: The food is amazing! I highly recommend the Lasuni Gobi and the Vegetable Sweet Potato cutlets as appetizer choices. For entrée, we usually get the Dal Makhani and the Palak Paneer. The Okra special is also really good and I thought the Butternut Squash ke Kofte were unique and different. Overall the food here is very tasty, well seasoned, and a nice balance. Also, I’m not usually an Indian dessert person but aRoqa really knows how to make them and we always end up getting 2-3 desserts because of how delicious they are. Service: Everyone is so friendly and open to answer any questions. They check on you often and service is quick. Ambiance: The restaurant is beautifully decorated in a tasteful way. Everything seems to go together and they have even spent time figuring out the best dishware to serve the food in. The bar is classy and elegant. It’s a good pick for date night or even a group dinner.

We went there for brunch on a Saturday morning. On their website, the opening time was listed for 11am yet when we got there at 11.40am, no one there to seat us - it seemed like they were having a staff meeting the back. Once they saw us a few minutes later, they sat us down right away. The seats were dirty from the night before and the owner noticed me looking at it and had it cleaned right away. When they came to take our order, my husband wanted to order drip coffee and I wanted a cappuccino - they had neither. We opted to not order anything to drink. For our entree, my husband ordered and Indian omelette and I ordered a saffron French toast. We were both satisfied with our meals. We wanted to order extra sides but the server never came by to ask us if we wanted anything (ketchup, hot sauce, etc.) or to refill our water.

A typical “restobar” a bit cramped for our liking. This place is even more expensive than Central London and no wow factor to the food $22 for daal makhni 😳 Owner was very pleasant, unfortunately staff not so attentive. As a Person of Indian origin and vegetarian there are much better places to eat in NY. Value for money was just not there.

During a recent trip to New York, we visited our favorite reliably great restaurant Aroqa with a family again and were not disappointed. For appetizers we always order several dishes which included: Paratwala Paneer, Corn, Ghost Chili Chicken (beware it is too hot); Bhatti murg chop, dry pepper prawns, lamb chops and lamb seekh kebab. All excellent and tasty (except as mentioned I kept away from the chili chicken). For main curse butternut squash, chicken tikka masala, chicken biryani, garlic mint raita, onion kulcka, tawa mutton and garlic naan. All tasty excellent and we ordered too much so my niece took food home. The ladies ordered violet butterfly margarita. Also we ordered Tito's, southern sojourn. Dessert of course ordered hazelnut chocolate flute, coppa pistachio and coconut kheer. All helped with the spicy food. Cary was the main server and very pained with the young kids. Awesome return visit and will surely go back again when we visit New York.

During our walk on a pleasant Sunday evening, we decided to have dinner at another Indian restaurant after having a wonderful experience at Junoon on Thursday. So we looked up and found aRoqa with a Michelin star in 2021 and decided to give it a try but it fell short on all key metrics. Service - We walked in and asked the host 'Carey' for a seat for 2. He asked if we have a reservation and we said no. He immediately said we only have high chairs and no normal table without checking the system for a seat. We walked out and my wife said let's yelp about it and we thought of calling a cab to go back to Junoon or Sona another Indian restaurant. While we were looking for Uber that Carey the host came out and said a patron just left and he will be able to clean the table and would we like to take it. We said sure and we were seated at a small table next to the exit door. The table was always there as no one left the restaurant during the few minutes we were outside. So very low marks on the service here. Comparing this to our experience at Junoon where we had the exact same conversation with the host. At Junoon, the host asked for our telephone number and took us to a table in the lounge area. My wife said that last time we sat inside and she would like to sit inside. He obliged and sat us in the inside dining room. Later I received a text that he made a reservation for us in the system to occupy the inside room on the fly. That's what is called service. Ambiance - The decor and space is not very well layout. The whole restaurant is very dark and very congested. Both Indian Accent, as well as Junoon, have better layouts and lighting. Food - We ordered Chicken Biryani and Lamb Curry with Roti's. The server never told us that the Lamb curry comes with the rice so we had to leave it untouched. Lamb was tough and not succulent at all. Curry was nothing special either. Chicken Biryani was not a Dum Biryani but more like chicken curry mixed with rice which was not what we were expecting. We were expecting a dry Biryani and not wet curry rice. So definitely not a Michelin one-star standard and it will be difficult to come back again for this food.

Amazing chic restaurant perfect for a date night or fun night. We happened to meet the owner and were super thrilled with her story. Great drinks and great small plates. Highly recommend it

Tapas style entrees, food looks beautiful and tastes yummy too. We tried five or six starters and one shared plate and all of it was very good. Delectable is the word!! We opted for vegetarian that day and they had so many options - lotus stem with bhel, rice paddus, sweet potato chat, mushroom rolls, paneer with a difference and sabudana tikki. The presentation and the taste, both are an experience. Must visit place and do try there cocktail ‘re-engagement’. It comes with dry ice and water below the drink to create smoky effect :) A little expensive though, but ok for once in a while.

Settling into NYC on a family visit and on the first Friday night dropped into aRoqa for dinner. Great reception, friendly and efficient service and a great menu. Each dish had its own distinct flavour. We thoroughly enjoyed sharing the dishes. Drinks were reasonably priced with a good wine menu to choose from. A definite on our next visit.

So many issues here: 1) I do not appreciate being told by a rather rude hostess that we had only 90 minutes to dine (we had a reservation)--I have never been told that in a Manhattan restaurant unless there were specific seatings. 2) there's a minimal wine list with nothing I would drink 3) I ordered a Manhattan cocktail and asked for it to be not very sweet and on the rocks. It arrived without out and was revoltingly sweet 4) my friend ordered a mango lhassi which was undrinkable 4) the appetizers were beautifully served by rather bland--they looked innovative but really were not 5) we were not halfway through the appetizers when we were brought the two main courses! (Nothing like being rushed.) We said we weren't ready and recieved a rather huffy response 6) I lived on the Indian subcontinent for 5 years and I know and appreciate good Indian food. The main courses tasted like someone had emptied a full salt container into them--you couldn't taste any spices, just salt! The restaurant is obviously popular and maybe we hit an off night. That said, I'll never return to a place where I am told that my dining time is limited. That kind of rudeness does not exist in India and I was shocked that it exists in an Indian restaurant in NYC. They really should be embarrassed (but I suppose not).

We went to aRoqa for the first time with high expectations - Gaurad Anand's restaurant Awadh was already one of our favorites - and our expectations were wildly exceeded. The portions are modest (I would agree with the reviewer who said to think of aRoqa as Indian Tapas) but the flavors are so intriguing you'll want to order many things and share. Nothing here is routine, not even dessert. If you think chocolate souffle with espresso ice cream is cliche, think again. The sleek modern decor begins outside with waves of gold and solid black doors - the theme is carried through the dramatic interior. Seating comfortable, not cramped, and as a really nice feature the tables in the back are counter height with stools so you won't feel like you are buried in Siberia. Service impeccable and the staff guide you through the menu very well. Go with an open mind - ask the chef to make some suggestions - you will not be disappointed.

This is perhaps more of a "fusion" style restaurant than a traditional Indian restaurant. Although the decor and atmosphere was very welcoming I was a little concerned when I saw the menu. I am more of a fan of traditional styles. However the food was fantastic - starter portions were a little small but flavors of Habenero Tikka and Ghost Chili Chicken Kebab were incredible (the latter was very hot). Nothing on the menu disappointed but I would probably avoid the chutney's as they did not really add to the experience. The restaurant was short staffed the evening that we were there but they did a very good job in looking after our table of 5. Christina our waitress went the extra yard and the chef came out an met us towards the end of the night. Great pick!

Service and staff were excellent and polite. The food was extremely reasonable and tasted great. There was an option for a “boozy brunch” with unlimited mimosa and champagne. We obviously took that option! The restaurant had a great ambiance, cute spot for a date.

Mouthwatering Indian food with a twist - even the serving platters were unique. Meat was tender and the vegetables had absorbed the spices well. A chef who knows his culinary art well. A bit pricey but worth it.

Loved the food, presentation was unique and eye pleasing ... great service . Every dish was unique and was flavorful .

Tired of the usual Indian food, even at upscale places it's usually the same thing with a twist. However this place is not that. The place has cozy feel to it, the waitress was outstanding. But in the end it is about the food, and it did not disappoint. The momos with the vindaloo sauce and the crab cakes in the appetizers were finger licking good. The chicken tikka with the habenero had the just the right amount of kick to it. The lamb shank was fall off the bone and tender. All of our plates went back to the kitchen pretty much with all of the food wiped away. Would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to try real Indian fusion food.

I am confused about what they are trying to do here. I am sure there is a valid reason for this restaurant to exist. They are not bad but there isnt just anything special or different or even a specific need they are trying to fill. It is terribly mediocre at pretty much everything. The ambience, dark and dull with loud music and uncomfortable chairs, does check any checkboxes. The food is again a confusing mix of Indian and some other cultures. Perhaps there is some fusion. Both vegetarian dishes are eggplant. The quirky presentations are too large for the tables and the servers pile them on in nooks without waiting. And the service is ok but just about so. Not clear what they are trying to do here. I don’t see a future unless they can figure out what they really want to be.

Hip vibe with excellent innovative cocktails. Authentic Indian flavors with none of the grease and pre prepared pastes. Each appetizer has been thoughtfully prepared and enhanced with the accompanying relishes. A must visit!!!?

Most Indian restaurants have a long menu that takes several minutes to go through and decide but, this restaurant doesn't and that's a good thing. We had a reservation ...very busy.. My partner had lamb Biyarani (sp?) while I had chicken tikka masala. It was all good...my partner liked his lamb a lot. He asked about "indian hotness....norther hot or southern hot, which is way hotter"....they do northern Indian hot which is maybe half the heat. My chicken tikka masala had breast meat in a creamy masala sauce that I ordered medium heat that I didn't think had much heat at all. Sodas are $5....refills are $5 as well. As I had water, I asked if they were charging for 2 separate sodas for 2 people but nope; each glass is $5.....but, since I asked, they took $5 off. The seating is comfortable and the service was very good and the food was good as well. I will go back.