Dalup - A Modern Indian Restaurant
As a self proclaimed foodie I have traveled to nearly every corner of New York in search of tasty food. And I can attest to the fact that even in New York City it is extremely difficult to find restaurants that are affordable, environmentally sustainable, healthy, and appetizing. Fortunately I had the privilege of attending the opening of Dalup, a modern Indian restaurant that miraculously meets all of these criteria.
Located at 350 7th Avenue in Chelsea, Dalup is the perfect place to grab a quick bite during a lunch break or to sit down and spend an evening with friends and family enjoying the many delightful delectables it has to offer.
Bravo’s Top Chef alum Dave Martin created the menu with the goal of developing a lighter, more approachable and modern version of traditional Indian cuisine. He achieved this by producing a completely dairy-free menu, additionally the oil used in each of the dishes is minimal. Full, bold flavors are established through the freshness of the ingredients and the proprietary spice blend. Ultimately lending authentic flavors that do not sit heavy in your stomach.
Dalup is the perfect restaurants for meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans alike. Signature dishes include the Dalup Naan Roll featuring house-made Naan bread with antibiotic-free Chicken Tikka Masala (that is cashew milk-based), wrapped with cilantro and greens that will be available. Other features include a build-your-own “Veggie Karma” bowl with freekeh, Korma Curry (coconut milk-based) with roasted cauliflower, chickpeas, carrots and peas, served with tomato chutney, raita and pickled citrus. Everything is made in-house including the dough for the Naans and Dosas which are made from scratch.
When I entered the restaurant I was immediately greeted with warmness. The atmosphere is comfortable and friendly. After talking to the owners, the chef, and the employees it was clear that on every level there was a genuine excitement for the future of Dalup.
Dalup practices modernity not only through its recipes but through how the food is actually made. Dalup utilizes specialized engineered equipment to bake their Naan bread and their grilled kebab-style meat. Dalup even has a custom developed robotic Dosa machine that makes Dosas on order. Dalup also donates a portion of their proceeds to Girls Who Code, a national not-for-profit organization with the mission to close the gender gap in technology.
Every aspect of this restaurant was developed with extreme care and consideration. From the meats and produce that are locally sourced from socially responsible vendors to the innovative technology used to cook the food. I had a truly wonderful night and am looking for to spending many more nights eating at Dalup.
