In a city full of terrific, high-end Indian restaurants - Devi, Tabla, Tamarind, among others - the first hint many New Yorkers had that yet another high-end eatery was coming to their town was when this note, accompanied by the e-mail invitation below (click to magnify), landed in in-boxes:
Vermilion in Chicago is the best Indian restaurant I've eaten in anywhere in America; in fact it's one of the best restaurants of any kind in the US, and it has the awards to prove it. At Vermilion (in NYC) opens at 46th and Lexington on November 17th and it would be great if you could come and see for yourself what I'm talking about. Full disclosure: I'm an investor in the restaurant, which may be the first time I've ever put my money where my mouth is...! Anyway, I hope to see you there. E-invitation below.
Salman
The "Salman" is writer Sir Salman Rushdie and it meant the opening promised to have its share of desi celebrities and it did, as the photos below by "India Abroad" chief photographer Paresh Gandhi testify.
When Vermilion appeared in Chicago a few years ago, it completely shook up the South Asian food scene there. Owner Rohini Dey is hoping to do so here. With the economy the way it is, getting attention and traffic isn't going to be easy, but she's certainly got the attention part down pat.
Vermilion is at 480 Lexington Ave at 46th Street and online at TheVermilionRestaurant.com.
Captions for the pix below - all by Paresh Gandhi of India Abroad:
1. Owner Rohini Dey,with Sir Salman Rushdie
2. Deay with chef Maneet and co-chef Ishita Pal (great to see women at the forefront)
3. Tabla maestro (maestroess?) Suphala performs at the opening
If you've had a chance to dine at Vermilion in NYC or Chicago, let us know what you think in the comments section.
