Through the good shots and, sometimes, the not so good, our restaurant critics tell you about their experience, introduce the team in the dining room and in the kitchen, while explaining what motivated the choice of the restaurant. This week: India Rosa Griffintown.
Since its opening on Mont-Royal Avenue in 2011, India Rosa has been a true success story. The small restaurant on the Plateau never stops, continuing to delight its large clientele addicted to its contemporary Indian cuisine and its colorful signature cocktails. With the opening of a second location, in Griffintown, which seems as popular as its sibling if not more popular, the Sandhu family has definitely proven that there is an appetite for the India Rosa concept.
Family patriarch Ajmer Sandhu opened the aptly named Sandhu restaurant in Hochelaga in the 1990s. Italian. The Indian component came later. Even today, the two menus coexist on the menu. There was Indian Guru Bistro (now closed), then India Rosa. With this new proposal, the Hapy and Goppy sons wanted to modernize the traditional Indian restaurant experience, not by pouring into fusion cuisine, because the flavors and recipes remain very authentic, but by offering a more Montreal setting, urban and festive. The kitchen is led by Chef Inderjit Singh.
No doubt, to see the restaurant full to bursting and its electrifying atmosphere on a Friday evening in early May: Griffintown has already adopted the India Rosa. The new premises, on the ground floor of the MaryRobert residential tower, are large. Nothing to do with the small, cramped room — and full of charm! — from the Plateau. Depending on the experience sought, we sit in the lounge area, at the elegant oval-shaped bar, on the large teal-colored benches. False openwork walls make it possible to create various atmospheres. The restaurant is truly beautiful with its lush decor, featuring wallpaper created by Montreal illustrator Aurore Danielou.
Yes, you will find all the classics of Indian cuisine on the India Rosa menu, including several vegetarian options: butter chicken or tikka masala, curried lamb, aloo gobi, vegetable masala, saag paneer. But what interests us above all on this evening visit is the appetizing and extensive tapas menu, the establishment’s specialty, from which we order several plates to share, in a friendly atmosphere.
The cute tandoori mushrooms (the restaurant has a traditional tandoor oven to cook its meats, naan breads and other vegetables) charm us at first glance. Stuffed with paneer and mozzarella cheeses, marinated with house spices, they display an attractive terracotta hue, characteristic of this type of cooking, and are accompanied by a spicy green chutney that you would eat with a spoon. A perfect duo to chew on all round!
Equally succulent are the malai prawns. The plump shellfish are coated in a creamy cashew nut sauce and offer a subtle taste of cardamom. The fried amritsari sablefish served with tartar sauce and pineapple chutney is tender and flavorful, though the more subdued and less contrasting flavors make it a less memorable dish. We also celebrate with bhel puri, an amazing mixture of puffed rice, tomatoes, red onions, cilantro and tamarind sauce, served in the shape of a ball. It’s all fresh and full of crunch; the kind of little snack that makes you addicted!
Obviously, we weren’t going to do without a dish in sauce! It’s the lamb korma that wins the favor of the table – and we accompany it with a naan bread, since it has to be! The bread is thin, a bit brittle. We would have preferred it softer. As for the meat, its sauce is delicious, spicy but not too much, with an irresistible flavor.
Satisfied and happy in front of a highly satisfying feast, we end by sharing a crème brûlée subtly flavored with cardamom.
Going to India Rosa without trying at least one of its cocktail creations is kind of missing out on the experience of the place. There is something for everyone and in all the colors of the rainbow, and the recipes incorporate several ingredients and flavors typical of Indian cuisine. Our pretty violet pisco sour, with a deep purplish color, was flavored with a dapper pink hibiscus and lavender syrup. There is also the Indian Iced Tea, with its homemade masala chai syrup, the Dirty Peaky Blinder, with olive oil flavored with saffron and hot peppers… Something to awaken your taste buds!
The wine list is accessible, mainly composed of well-known grape varieties and wineries: Moët champagne
Tapas start at just $7 for a dal soup and shy of $25 for the more expensive ones. Main courses run around $20 for the vegetarian section and $25 for meat and fish. A few sides are also available: naan bread ($5), basmati rice ($4.50)… For a cocktail, it will usually cost you between $15 and $20.
India Rosa serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, the menu of which was created in collaboration with Arnaud Gray (Passé Composé), and lunches on weekdays. Vegetarians and pescetarians will be satisfied here. There are fewer options for vegans though. The space is easily accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Both India Rosa locations are open seven days a week. Reservations recommended.
