Exotic Flavors in a Local Setting

If you’re looking to escape the kitchen after cooking your Passover or Easter feast, here’s a place to try that may be off your radar but is actually very close by. Mughal Palace is just a short ride from Scarsdale, up the Bronx River Parkway to Valhalla and they serve excellent northern and southern Indian fare. Native chefs have been cooking there for seven years and the same team also owns Rani Mahal on Mamaroneck Avenue in Mamaroneck. Whether you want to eat there, or take out you’ll find a friendly staff and a diverse menu that includes the usual favorites plus many new dishes to try.

While you’re waiting for your food to arrive ask about their extensive list of beers, wines or order a drink from the full bar.

On a recent visit our large group was hungry and we had the opportunity to taste many of their offerings.

We started out with samosas filled with a spicy mixture of potatoes and green peas. Also recommended is the masala dosa, a paper thin

rice crepe enclosing potatoes and peas that is served with coconut chutney. Pakoras, which are fried vegetable fritters, were tasty with the beer.

We followed the appetizers with aloo gobi, which is cauliflower, potato and tomatoes cooked in a light sauce as well as sag paneer, homemade cheese cubes in spiced spinach.

Divided on how we liked our chicken, half of the group opted for the chicken tikka masala, a tandoori roasted chicken in a rich, creamy tomato sauce. The others chose murgh tikka; chicken breast marinated in yogurt, ginger, and fresh ground spices and cooked in the clay oven,

To soak up the sauce we ordered nan, an unleavened Indian bread baked in the tandoori oven. Ample servings of rice came with the dinner.

But what we ate was just a very small sampling of the appetizers, soups and entrees offered on the menu. There are both vegetarian and non-veggie offerings include chicken, beef, lamb or shrimp biryani. A biryani includes long grain Basmati rice cooked with dry mixed fruits, herbs, spices and saffron. Also on the menu are nine lamb dishes, shrimp and cooked in a variety of styles, chicken dishes, eight selections from the Tandoori oven and beef.

Don’t leave without trying the nan or poori, a hot puffed whole wheat bread and remember to order some chutney and raita, a chilled yogurt and cucumber mixture to accompany your meal and temper the spicy flavors you’ll find in your dinner.

Mughal Palace was given an “excellent” rating by Zagat and we concur. Give them a try and let us know what you liked so we can order it at

our next visit. They are open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and are located directly across the street from the Valhalla Train Station.

Mughal Palace
16 BroadwayValhalla
New York 10595

(914) 997-6090

Hours:
11:30 am – 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm dail

www.mughalpalace.com

Pictured at top: Samosas, Pakoras and Chutney