Hampton Chutney Co.

You don't have to say it.  I can see it in your eyes.  You were watching an episode (ok, two episodes) of "New Girl," and Schmidt's mention of "hair chutney" and "mango chut-en-ee" got you thinking you need more condiments in your life.  No?  Not at all?  Well hey, do you like fairly huge dosas?  Uttapams?  Sammiches?  That last one is just regular sandwiches, but I was being cutesy.  It won't happen again.

If you answered "Yes!" to any of the above, are merely curious about what the hell I'm getting at, or are just bored enough at work to take any distraction you can get, read on, reader!  Today we're discussing Hampton Chutney Co., its laid-back atmosphere, and its tasty menu options.  What what!

To date, there are three store locations in existence, but since I've only been to the one in SoHo, that's the one getting the nod (and wink and finger-gun) today.  Located on Prince Street between Crosby and Lafayette, Hampton Chutney Co. is a casual establishment where you order at a register, seat yourself on a bar stool alongside a counter or table, and retrieve your food on a cafeteria tray when your name is called.  If your party is larger than three people, you will have to commandeer an additional table or risk someone in your group having to balance his/her tray on his/her lap.  Like the restaurant itself, those tabletops be small.

Besides some minor seating aggravation, what else are we getting here?  Well, lover and/or hater of Indian food, you have options.  The menu includes classic dosa and uttapam fillings/toppings like spiced potato or curry chicken, but it also boasts nontraditional variations like calamata olives with arugula, tomato, roasted onion, and goat cheese - all of which come with your choice of chutney (cilantro, curry, mango, tomato, peanut, or seasonal pumpkin).  The sandwich selection includes the likes of smoked turkey with brie or grilled chicken with mango, though you can also get soup,  freshly baked brownies, and beverages like iced cardamom coffee, lassis, and soda.  [Brief pause to go back and reflect on the inherent deliciousness of freshly baked desserts].

Readers with eating restrictions, it is worth noting dosas and uttapams are gluten free, and Hampton Chutney Co. offers both vegetarian and vegan options - and not, like, just one item to make themselves feel charitable.  For the full menu and additional nutritional information, check out their website.

So stop by Hampton Chutney Co. before rushing to the Angelika up the street or after fitting your laptop at the nearby Apple store for its shark skin sleeve.  Grab your good pea coat, make sure you have your other timepiece, and you're all set! 

Hampton Chutney Co. (SoHo) - 68 Prince Street, between Crosby & Lafayette Streets

Hampton Chutney Co. (UWS) - 464 Amsterdam Avenue, between West 82nd & 83rd Streets

Hampton Chutney Co. (The Hamptons, logically) - 6 Main Street, Amagansett, New York

Good Earth Winery

When you dine at an Italian trattoria, what might you drink? Si, bella - vino italiano! When eating at a Greek taverna, which wine might be your first choice? Probably one from Athens, Santorini, or Thessaloniki. So what wine do you choose when you go out for Indian cuisine? Uh...something from New Zealand or California, I guess.

So, you may have noticed Indian wines aren't a big thing here in the US of A. Well, allow me to introduce you to the one with which I have some level of familiarity: Reader? Meet Good Earth Winery.  Good Earth Winery? Meet reader. I think you are going to get along just fine.

My friend's father (Hi, friend! Hi, her father!) started this winery a short time ago in the Nashik region of India, which (if the interwebs are to be believed) is sometimes referred to as the "wine capital of India." Its wines were ready for introduction to Mumbai one year ago and have just launched in the US this month. I have, of course, heard about the venture from my (vaguely) aforementioned friend, but her (also vaguely) aforementioned father invited me to a tasting of the first vintage at Tabla last week (Tabla, as you may remember, avid reader, was briefly mentioned in this post a couple weeks back). I was honored to attend, and I have news to report: it's good stuff! Would have made for some awkward interactions with said friend afterward if it wasn't, huh?

Three wines were available from the 2008 vintage: Basso and Brio (two reds from the Concerto collection) as well as Aarohi (a white wine from the Raga collection). Now it's time for a breakdown (like the girls at 3:04). Basso is made with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and aged in oak barrels; Brio is made from Shiraz and also aged in oak barrels; Aarohi uses Sauvignon Blanc grapes and ferments in stainless steel.

I am by no means a wine critic, sommelier, steward, or snob, but I can say with the utmost certainty that these were great. Getting paired with delicious offerings from Chef Floyd Cardoz didn't hurt their case either. (Oxtail ragu over mashed potatoes, mushrooms on polenta, and hamachi tartare? Yes, yes, and well, I was allergic to an ingredient in that last one, but it looked tasty too). When it comes to wine, I am predominantly a drinker of dry whites. I ultimately found the medium bodied Aarohi to be grassy and interesting in a good way. I'm looking forward to trying it again with seafood, as Good Earth Winery recommends enjoying a chilled glass with salads, prawns, and fish. Considering how infrequently I opt for red, I am happy to report I thoroughly enjoyed the medium bodied Brio and bolder Basso. Both had a hint of smokiness, but the Brio was a little spicy, while the Basso was more complex (encompassing pepper, fruit, and an overall smoothness). Surprisingly (to me alone), the Basso may have been my favorite of the night.

When it comes down to it, you don't have to eat food and drink wine from the same country during a meal, and, let's be honest, you don't have to pair wine with anything at all - an evening at home with some bottles and buddies works just as nicely. However, if you are itching to try Indian wine, it is nice to know that you may soon have the opportunity to do so at a restaurant near you. Selections from Good Earth Winery are also now available at several wine shops throughout Manhattan. Rumor has it they may sell for less than $20 a bottle, so whether you drink it with Indian, Austrian, Moroccan, or Swedish food, it is a sound choice all around.

Banjara

WAH WAHHHH - Banjara is permanently closed. In a casual atmosphere somewhat evocative of someone's home (what with the carpeted floor and couch-like benches), you can enjoy creamy saag paneer , crispy samosas , spicy bhundi karrara , puffed naan , and moist dumpakht . I apologize to those who just gagged at the word "moist." Twice. Banjara accepts reservations, but walk-ins are welcome as well. In the rare instances when a table is not available, you may wait at the bar in the smaller dining area to the left of the main room. Unfortunately, this tiny space is as comfortable as waiting in a phone booth. With three other people. Who are all inexplicably wearing innertubes around their waists. Between the tables steps away and the waiters running drinks, you are always in someone's way. Once seated at your table, however, you can spread out and relax as you read over the extensive menu and snack on the cracker-like flatbread with three accompanying dips of varying spice levels. At the end of the meal, you may linger over the complimentary ice cream/sorbet. Banjara - 97 1st Avenue, at the corner of East 6th Street