Tell Us, Babu Ji: Where Do You Eat in NYC?
A seafood spread at Uncle Boons. Photo courtesy of Uncle Boons.
It's been roughly a year since chef Jessi Singh brought Babu Ji to New York City. Since then, he's expanded his immensely popular Indian restaurant to San Francisco's Mission District, and, between shifts and cross-country trips, dined at some of downtown Manhattan's culinary gems. Here are his top picks.
NEW YORK CITY – After leaving Australia, where my culinary career started, my wife Jennifer and I moved to her hometown of New York City and opened Babu Ji in Alphabet City in 2015. (Editor's note: They're now in Union Square.) We now split our time between New York and San Francisco, where we recently opened a Babu Ji in the Mission District, and find ourselves at these places when we're in the Big Apple.
REMINDS ME OF INDIA
Punjab Grocery & Deli
114 E. 1st St.; +1-212-533-3356
The New York institution is where I go for chai, samosas, and an Indian newspaper or magazine.
Inday
1133 Broadway; +1-917-521-4012
A healthy place for lunch where you can build your own Indian-inspired bowl.
Ming
1655 Oak Tree Rd., Edison, NJ; +1-732-549-5051
The best Indian-Chinese food is about a 35-minute train ride from the city. I love their lamb, Hakka noodles, and chili chicken, and they do Indo-Chinese buffet on the weekend. Bonus: There's an old-school Indian movie theater down the street.
Jersey City
Often referred to as Little India, Jersey City is a taste of home located less than a ten-minute train ride from Manhattan, and is where I get all my Indian groceries. There are no-name places all over selling street food like dosas, and watch families come into town to do their shopping.
The bar at Finder's Lane. Photo courtesy of Finder's Lane.
A delicious spread at Ivan Ramen. Photo courtesy of Ivan Ramen.
TASTES OF AUSTRALIA
Finder's Lane
162 Ave. A; +1-212-228-6900
An Aussie restaurant with a Southeast Asian focus. I love their coconut curry laksa and cocktails.
Two Hands Restaurant & Bar
251 Church St.; No phone number
Another great Aussie spot that serves healthy, clean breakfast dishes and great coffee.
GLOBAL CUISINE
Rosie's
29 East 2nd St.; +1-212-335-0114
Great Mexican food, margarita, and cocktails in the East Village. I'm fond of the fish tacos.
SenYa
109 1st Ave.; +1-212-995-5278
Creative sushi rolls and the best omakase for just $40. Sit at the counter and let them look after you.
Uncle Boon's
7 Spring St.; +1-646-370-6650
Great Thai food in Nolita. I go here for my favorite crab fried rice and roasted bone marrow satay.
Ivan Ramen
25 Clinton St.; +1-646-678-3849
I love the spicy ramen. And I ask them to make it extra spicy for me.
FAVORITE BARS
NoMad Bar
10 W. 28th St.; +1-347-472-5660
It's the place to be: fun, happening, great cocktails. It's where I go after service.
Pouring Ribbons
225 Ave. B, 2nd Fl.; +1-917-656-6788
Another great place I like to go to after service at Babu Ji.
Wassail
162 Orchard St.; +1-646-918-6835
A fun spot on the Lower East Side with a great cider program.
The bar at Pouring Ribbons. Photo courtesy of Pouring Ribbons.
Lower East Side vibes at Wassail. Photo courtesy of Wassail.
DATE NIGHT
Wildair
142 Orchard St.; +1-646-964-5624
This is where Jennifer and I go to relax and have a nice bottle of wine. I love the beef tartare and Jennifer enjoys the crudo.
SEE THE CITY
Central Park
We take the family to Central Park Zoo and ride the carousel. It's great to see all the excited tourists taking pictures. It reminds me of when I was a tourist in New York.
Children's Museum of Manhattan
212 W. 83rd St.; +1-212-721-1223
Another great family-friendly spot. We have an annual membership, so we go here often.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Indigo
171 Ludlow St.; +1-212-237-1776
When guests come to town, I recommend this spot on the Lower East Side. It has comfortable rooms and is close to practically everything.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE
Fathom's New York City Guide
The Babu Ji Chef's Favorite San Francisco Eats