Just on the outskirts of Cary near Morrisville, an Indian oasis awaits.
Urban Angeethi, a full-service restaurant that opened in 2021, embodies the fulfillment of a vision for the owners, two families who determined a need for a spot that offers its patrons a first-rate culinary journey.
“There are many Indian restaurants in the area, but we found a vacuum when it came to providing quality food, excellent customer service, and upscale ambiance all in the same place,” said co-proprietor Srinivas Mummidi, who hails from southern India. “We want our guests to enjoy a great overall dining experience.”
Mummidi’s business partner Chakshu Singh Agrawal agrees.
“We do our best to present the authentic tastes and experiences of India but with our own unique flair,” northern India native Agrawal said with a smile. “This is why when people come in, they often tell us we have the best Indian food and nicest atmosphere in the area.”
In case you are wondering, the word “angeethi” refers to a traditional brazier used for cooking in South Asia.
As you enter the restaurant, a warm and comforting setting beckons you to relax and immerse yourself in the essence of Indian culture. The stylish dining room melds traditional Indian accoutrements with decidedly modern fixtures. Vintage brass teapots and wooden huts juxtapose with chic orange and cream-colored leather chairs, charcoal gray walls, and pendant dome lights that provide soft illumination.
Urban Angeethi’s stylish dining room provides a welcoming setting for guests.
Banquettes enclosed by the aforementioned huts are popular with regular patrons.
“We get requests for what people call our ‘special booths,’” said Agrawal. “These are cozier than our other seats.”
Consider Urban Angeethi a picture-perfect setting for serving elevated cuisine.
Chef Paras Singh’s inspiring creations reflect the rich flavor profile of his northern Indian upbringing. He developed a passion for cooking from his mother, which ultimately led him to restaurant stints in his native subcontinent and here in the United States. Now part owner of the eatery in Cary, Singh finesses ingredients with aplomb, yielding a fusion of traditional and modern Indian fare.
Whether it’s curry or paneer, dal or kabob, plates that emerge from the kitchen arrive filled with aromatic spices and bursting with flavor. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian selections are equally represented as well as gluten-free and vegan options.
Start your meal with a tandoori salad or a bowl of sweet corn soup brimming with scallions, herbs, and spices.
House specialty appetizers like spinach-infused karara palak chaat and mint-tinged cilantro shrimp are surefire winners. But no matter what else you choose, don’t miss the transcendent Gobi Manchurian, which involves lightly fried cauliflower florets laden in a piquant Indo-Chinese sauce.
A vertical greenery wall adds just the right touch of tranquility.
Standout vegetarian entrees include paneer Pasanda cooked in almond paste and cashews and finished with creamy sauce; mildly sweet Navratan korma, a rich curry dish with mixed vegetables and nuts; and baingan bharta, which comprises fresh eggplant smoked in a tandoor oven and cooked with garlic-and-onion tomato sauce.
As for non-vegetarian mains, order the boneless chicken biryani served with basmati rice, raita (classic yogurt sauce), and salan, a curry-based gravy. Or dive into a seafood selection such as the pomfret fish fry with a crispy exterior and a tender interior.
Prefer more intense heat? Brave the Goan-style lamb vindaloo with fiery red curry sauce. Intriguingly, Urban Angeethi also serves several Indo-Chinese offerings like fried rice with mixed vegetables and chili garlic hakka noodles.
“This addition to the menu was based on customer demand,” Mummidi said. “Since our chef has the expertise to cook Indo-Chinese cuisine, we are happy to make it available.”
Six varieties of flavorful Indian breads give cause for deliberation. Whether you pick garlic naan, onion kulcha, or tandoori roti, you won’t be dissatisfied.
If you manage to save room for dessert, we suggest savoring the gajar halwa, a carrot-centric sweet pudding. Or go for the scratch-made kulfi, an Indian ice cream made using only full-fat milk.
Urban Angeethi’s extensive beverage program features beer, assorted bottles of wine, Indian whisky, craft cocktails, mocktails, and more.
The refreshing mangorita contains tequila, triple sec, mango pulp, jalapeno and lime juice, while the strawberry turmeric fizz encompasses vodka, strawberry puree, turmeric, lemon, and house-made basil syrup.
On the mocktail side of the drink menu, the blueberry mojito and masala soda should not be ignored. Be sure to try a nonalcoholic shot of distinctive jamun fruit juice, also known as java plum or Indian blackberry.
“This comes from a berry that is native to our home country,” Mummidi explained. “Whenever our Indian customers come in, it has been an instant hit with them.”
“Whether you drink alcohol or not, we want to cater to everyone,” Agrawal added.
Service at Urban Angeethi is gracious and efficient. Even more notable, well-trained waitpersons are keen to answer questions and provide helpful guidance to guests.
The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner and accepts reservations. A covered patio affords guests the option to dine outside. Catering services ranging from “basic to exquisite” also are available.
Urban Angeethi
5033 Arco St., Cary
Alston Town Center
(919) 234-5555
urbanangeethi.com
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May I know who is the owner of the restaurant Urban Angithi ?