Holi Moly! It’s Cocktails From Bungalow, New York’s Hot New Restaurant

And You Can Learn How to Make Them!

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hile most people can’t yet score a reservation to the hot new East Village restaurant Bungalow created by Michelin star Chef Vikas Khanna – some lucky ones were actually able to get a hands-on demonstration on how to make the drinks being served there!

[dropcap]H[/dropcap]ave you ever drunk Holi Moly? Probably not, though it was inspired by the Indian celebration of Holi. How about Naashpatee G & T? Most desis will recognize the Hindi name for Indian pears and of course, paan lovers will immediately recognize Paan Sour – though this is a drink, and not the betel leaf you chew.  In fact, all three of these drinks are knock-your-socks-off cocktails created by Naeem Lama Khan, Beverage Director for Bungalow and Gupshup restaurants. Each guest was shown how to assemble each of the three drinks and then drank them, while munching on succulent samosas from Ammis.

The event was hugely popular, dreamed up by Platform at Pier 57 by the James Beard Foundation.

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]f you’re a foodie who likes to learn about great meals from the experts – and then get to eat them then Platform is your kind of place! (Tickets to events held at Platform cover the cost of food, education and a unique dining experience. Meals are prepared by culinary masters from all regions of the United States and around the world.)

Another recent highlight was award-winning author and creator of A Brown Table Nik Sharma for an afternoon celebrating vegetable cooking on Earth Day. Sharma’s latest cookbook, Veg-Table, is an exploration of the technique and science behind cooking with more than 50 types of vegetables, from nightshades to legumes, alliums to brassicas, and beyond. Joining Nik in conversation is staff writer for The New Yorker and James Beard Award winner Helen Rosner. I missed this as I was away in Costa Rica but as a diehard veggie, this book looks really worth exploring. The menu at the tasting had included Leek and Mushroom Toast – my favorite – and Celery Herb Salad with Lime Vinaigrette.

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]o, what’s coming up next at Platform? You can check out the program at https://www.platformbyjbf.org/   but this will surely whet your appetite! On June 4, it’s a celebration of the Indian-American Diaspora with Khusbu Shah’s debut cookbook Amrikan – 125 Recipes from the Indian American Diaspora, The recipes sound quite intriguing – and mouth-watering! There’s Saag Paneer Lasagna Pani, Puri Mojitos and Masala Chai Basque Cheesecake – and a juicy conversation with television host and New York Times bestselling cookbook author, Sohla El-Waylly