The Great Escape: Chef Vikas Khanna's Bungalow Provides Immersive Dining Experience

Another world awaits at Bungalow, the new restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna, where the evenings linger a little longer and the mangoes taste a little sweeter.

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From the moment you walk into Bungalow, there’s no doubt that an enchanting evening awaits. Gorgeous interiors outfitted in rich fabrics, jewel tones and welcoming pastels welcome you. The restaurant’s design draws inspiration from Indian aesthetics, including elegant vintage living, and the result is an immersive design that makes you forget you’re in Manhattan. Every nook and cranny is carefully curated, with brass, glass and wood outfitting the rooms for a sophisticated atmosphere. The cherry on top? The Indian music that completes your journey to the Desi countryside.

Then, there’s the food. Michelin-starred chef and MasterChef India judge Vikas Khanna does not disappoint with the bright, balanced menu found in Bungalow. Together with Bombay House Hospitality founder and CEO Jimmy Rizvi, Khanna honors the rich heritage of Indian cuisine. “Bungalow is a celebration of the memories woven into the fabric of India’s sprawling country clubs,” says Rizvi. “It’s a culinary journey that delves into my childhood, where we lived for the liminal moments and unforgettable, distinct regional flavors.” Khanna adds, “The menu reflects the diversity of post-independence culinary influences, capturing the vibrant club culture that shaped modern India— we’re proud to serve regional favorites from the Kashmir Valley to the pepper estates of Tamil Nadu.” No detail is overlooked, from the gorgeous plating to the strategically mismatched dinnerware.

Standout dishes include the Kiss of Kashmir, made with lotus roots, kidney beans, pickled turnips walnut raita and pickled turnips, and the purple sweet potato chaat, crafted with green mango sauce, yam chip and chickpea droplets. The yogurt kabab’s novel texture would never reveal that it's crafted of only kataifi, purple cabbage, ginger and spicy mango caulis. Speaking of mango, the true can’t-miss dish is the Dil Mango More dessert, if you can manage to get your hands on it. Served in limited quantities each evening, this dish is made with incredible Alfonso mangoes straight from Devgarh, India. Trust us, you’ve never had a mango like this before.

The drinks are equally impressive and bold in flavor profiles, including the Chai Paani, a concoction of clarified chai masala milk punch with toasted Parle-G crumble. Be sure to also try the Kaali Peeli, a turmeric-infused tequila and mango drink that translates to “black and yellow’ as an ode to yellow cabs in Bombay and NYC.

So next time you’re craving a getaway, skip the trip to JFK airport and opt for a night spent at Bungalow, where you’ll be carried away into the nostalgia of a bygone era spent in India’s storied social clubs.