Dhamaka: Essex Market

Dhamaka, and Indian restaurant on the Lower East Side attached to Essex Market, was rated #1 on the top ten list of new restaurants in New York by The New York Times. After dining there on Sunday, it’s easy to see why. You might be intimidated when you spot baby shark on the menu, but let me be clear when I tell you, this was some of the most unique, flavorful, and vibrant food I’ve ever had. And since you’re probably all wondering, no I didn’t order the baby shark. Bring your camera for the amazing, beautiful pictures of food you’ll be capturing and make sure your spice tolerance is in check. Let’s talk about Dhamaka.

Papdi Chaat: spiced crisps, tamarind, yogurt, pomegranate

Joshila cocktail: mezcal, green chili, passionfruit

This appetizer was just how it looks— colorful and delicious. I was very surprised to take a bite and find out it was a cold appetizer, unlike I was expecting, but nonetheless between the crunchy fried pieces and raw chickpeas all wrapped in a flavorful yogurt sauce, I’d highly recommend this app. Our cocktails were great too, note that it was certainly really smokey from the mezcal so if you don’t like that I wouldn’t recommend it. There’s a cocktail with coconut cream that I’d be interested in trying next time, it looked extremely popular.

Beguni: fried eggplant with turmeric and a mustard sauce

Paplet fry: whole fried fish, cumin, ginger, green chutney

The eggplant dish was my least favorite just because of the spice on the plate. I expected the eggplant to seem more meaty and full, and the exterior was crisp but wasn’t the deep fried crispiness I was looking for. That being said, the mustard sauce was a nice pairing. On the other hand the Paplet fry was incredible. Even with little bones on the top and bottom of the fish, this ridiculously tender and delicious shared plate blew my sister and I away. The exterior had such interesting, intense spices on it and the fish was so flakey, with no essence of a fishy flavor at all. The green chutney was not spicy and tasted like such a refreshing, perfect addition to the fish. Can’t recommend this dish enough!

Paneer methi: cashew cream, fenugreek, cumin

For the grand finale… this paneer stew was one of the most delicious — and spiciest— things I’ve ever tasted. The spice in Dhamaka’s dishes are something I’ve never experienced because while it’s incredibly hot, you can still taste all of the flavors and you can tell it’s very developed. The paneer cheese is house made and we paired it with ghee rice and a side order of this incredibly flakey bread called paratha. I’d definitely recommend ordering a side of bread and rice since the main dishes don’t come with them, we were really happy to have it. The stew was so creamy and savory, and I was just as satisfied eating that than eating a main dish with meat. The best part was that we had the leftover paneer stew for dinner the next 2 days :)

This meal was absolutely amazing, and we just visited a restaurant called Adda from the same owners in Long Island City! Adda was just as great. I seriously cannot recommend Dhamaka enough. If you arrive before your reservation be sure to check out Essex Market and all it has to offer. You won’t regret it.