In the Neighborhood: Coromandel

The New Rochelle branch of this perennial favorite CT family of restaurants is still going strong after more than a decade. Recently, we had the pleasure of dropping by Coromandel and here’s what we’ve found; While other Indian restaurants with Coromandel’s established clientele might take the opportunity to rest on their laurels, Coromandel is still striving to hit the ball out of the park. You can expect excellent versions of all of your favorite Indian standards.

We started with the de rigueur Taj Mahal and Kingfisher beers which are both ideally suited for that delicious moment as you sink into the divine comforts of AC while cracking into pappadoms and fiery mint chutney. I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing like malty Indian beer to soothe the palate after a chili blast. After some debate, our table wound sharing a very roomy Coromandel platter (kalmi kebab, chicken tikka, sheekh kebab, malai kebab and kheema samosa) which offered a dizzying variety of flavors and textures for just $11.95. It was an excellent beginning to an excellent meal.

Chicken vindaloo, the Goan specialty (its name is a corruption of the Portuguese vinha d’ alhos—the coastal region of Goa was once a Portuguese colony) was deliciously sour and hot and really for chiliheads. The dish’s tender sections of mild chicken breast and yielding, absorptive potatoes were bathed in an eye-opening sauce that had us reaching for that Kingfisher in the happiest way. It helps that we also ordered a cooling bowl of cucumber raita. This mild, herbal yogurt condiment is practically purpose built for putting out chili-spawned fires.

Of course, the more timid palate in our group dodged the yin-yang punch of vinaloo and raita with a beautiful dish of ginger-scented lamb mappas. This mild and savory curry is more about tang and subtle spicing than heat. Wedges of buttery, crisp and prettily charred onion kulcha—straight from the Coromandel’s tandoori oven—were perfect for scooping the heady, curry leaf studded sauce of the lamb mappas.

In preparation for reentry into the (let’s face it) hideous July heat, we snagged to go cups of icy, tart and tangy mango lassi. We wound up taking a sunset walk and sipping as the heat finally broke over beautiful downtown New Rochelle.

The New Rochelle BID’s Downtown Grand Market is a morning farmer’s market. Located at Library Green (1 Lawton St, New Rochelle, NY) every Sat from June 1–Oct. 26 at 9 a.m–2 p.m. Contact info@grandmarket.com or call 914-960-1460 for more info.