Rani Mahal in Mamaroneck

Only someone who is intent on finding an Indian restaurant in Mamaroneck would be able to find Rani Mahal. An inconspicuous door near the movie theater leads to a flight of stairs that take you down to a low-key establishment with white-clothed tables, Indian décor and a maître d with a welcoming smile. Savvy locals also know that there is an entrance from the parking lot behind Mamaroneck Avenue – so keep that in mind if you're going to pick up a take-out order or can't find parking up top.

You'll know you're in the right place from the exotic aroma of curry, cumin and coriander that greets you at the entrance. Though Rani Mahal may not be the chicest of choices, it certainly hits a home run with their mouth-watering dinner menu. The restaurant has been in business for over seven years, undoubtedly due to the quality of the food that keeps customers coming back.

The restaurant offers both meat and vegetarian options and I wanted to try both to get a good idea of what's available. It was difficult to choose from the long list of salivating selections on the menu, but I decided to try Palak Paneer, Chicken Tikka Masala and Dal Tarka accompanied by an order of Naan. I asked my server what was in each of my selections and he explained the spices and preparation it took to create them.

Palak Paneer is a combination of spinach and cottage cheese with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger and garlic. This dish wasn't spicy but delivered a blend of flavors that were simmered to taste. The spinach and small chunks of cheese in a creamy sauce makes this dish a perennial favorite.

The Chicken Tikka Masala emerged from the kitchen in a deep orange sauce, which was a mix of tomato, cream boosted with some food coloring. Knowing that the meat had been marinated with yogurt and sour cream, and then cooked in a clay oven, I anxiously awaited the dish. Although I liked the creaminess, I didn't like the idea of the food coloring. Given today's preference for organic and farm-to-table offerings, I wondered what benefit came from adding the coloring. Either way, it was mouth watering. Using the just baked Naan bread, I scooped up all the rich sauce.

Dal Tarka is a lentil recipe, which combines onion, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, turmeric, and red chili, more or less the base for many Indian dishes. If you like spice, you will dive into this dish! It was flavored perfectly and I gobbled it up.

On other visits we tried the samosas, which are triangular patties with potatoes, green peas and plenty of spice and also ordered the Dosa, a large paper-thin crepe that is folded around a mixture of potatoes, and peas and served with coconut chutney. For meateaters, the Keema Dosa includes ground lamb and coconut chutney. Also recommended are any of the selection of Biryani, which includes aromatic long grain basmati rice mixed with fruits, nuts and spice or saffron rice. This comes with your choice of lamb, beef, shrimp or vegetables.

Another staple is the Chicken Tandoori, spicy roast chicken on the bone, marinated and then baked in the clay oven.

Don't forget to order mango chutney and raita (cold yogurt with cucumber and onion) – both an excellent compliment to any dish on the menu.

Do yourself a favor; if you love Indian food and want fabulous service in Westchester, try Rani Mahal and enjoy the many options the restaurant has to offer. Takeout available too.

Rani Mahal
327 Mamaroneck Avenue
Mamaroneck
www.RaniMahalny.com
(914) 835-0966

Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Dinner: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday: 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.