Ashoka Indian Restaurant

Craving Indian food? Look no further than Ashoka Indian Restaurant on the Upper West Side. Order some battered and fried onion bhaji ($8), vegetable samosas ($8) or coconut curried shrimp ($12) to nibble on while you decide on your entrees. Assemble a veritable feast by ordering a variety of Indian favorites to share. Rich chicken tikka masala ($16), spicy Mangalorean fish curry ($18), braised lamb shank with garlic and onions ($18) and verdant saag paneer ($14) ought to get you started. Don’t forget to order some lamb biryani ($16) and a side of garlic naan ($5) to soak up all the excess sauce. Still have some room for dessert? Good, because you’ll want to end the meal with a mango or rose lassi ($5), fig-saffron ice cream ($8) or gulab jamun malai, a traditional Indian sweet flavored with cardamom ($8). The restaurant also provides live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.