January 23, 2019
Modern Indian restaurant Makhani, which means "with butter," will open in Old City on Friday. Those who stop by on opening weekend will be treated to free samosas and complimentary wine tasting.
The new BYOB restaurant specializes in North Indian curries and everything, from the sauces to the breads, will be made from scratch. On the menu guests will find lots of veggie options – half the menu is vegan – and proteins that many Indian restaurants don't typically work with, like lobster, scallops, lamb shank and Chilean sea bass.
One of the restaurant's signature dishes is the Indian Mango Chicken.
"My family owns a mango garden in Bangladesh, so as a kid visiting Bangladesh, my parents always took me to pick mangos and eat them right off the trees. The chef has equal love for mangos," explained owner Shafi Gaffar about the dish's inspiration.
The dish is made with a rich, buttery and layered sauce that takes eight to ten hours to make.
Another exciting menu item is the Mango Banana Carrot Flambe. It's made with carrot bread pudding and mango ice cream that is topped with rum and lit on fire.
As for the restaurant's layout, it's two floors but the second floor won't be ready until later this year. On the first floor, there is seating for 34, creating an intimate setting. A giant peacock mural takes over one of the dining room walls. In India, the peacock symbolizes purity, honesty and being helpful.
Makhani will open at 11:30 a.m. daily. It will stay open until 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Find it at 7 N. Third Street.
Below, check out photos of the food and dining room.
Kasmiri Lamb Shank.
Naan.
Courtesy of/Kory Aversa
Mango Cheesecake.
Courtesy of/Kory Aversa
Inside Makhani Modern Indian at 7 N. 3rd St.
Courtesy of/Society Hill Films
Another view of Makhani's first floor dining room.
Courtesy of/Society Hill Films
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