A couple of months ago I mentioned BABU JI was coming to the former Nostra on Valencia, and this playful-yet-precise Indian restaurant has now opened. Owners Jennifer and chef Jessi Singh are from Melbourne, but are known for their restaurant in New York.
The menu is very similar, with the signature chef’s tasting menu ($62) carrying over (wait until you see the thali plate that comes with it), plus à la carte options like their trademark yogurt kebabs, Colonel Tso’s cauliflower, brilliant tandoori chicken, and “unauthentic” butter chicken. Check out the menu here.
The self-serve fridge stocked with beer will also carry over, although this one will have many local beers in its 40-strong selection, plus there are small keg draft brews like Mikkeller. Rajat Parr is behind the wine list, and we’ll have some NYC bartender flava with savory cocktails by Vincent Chirico of Raines Law Room (scroll down to see the list). There are 74 seats in the dining room, with 16 in the private dining room.
Hours are pretty crazy for the next few weeks: open tonight Tue Nov 22nd 6pm-12am, open again Fri Nov 25th-Sun Nov 27th and then Wed Nov 30th-Sun Dec 4th 6pm-12am. After that, just let the Resy app tell you when it’s open. Starting Wed Dec 14th, hours will be 5pm-12am, closed Tuesdays. 280 Valencia St. at 14th St.
An array of dishes at Babu Ji. Photo: Katie Newburn.
