Best Indian in Union County These Days?

[Elora]

I know this has been covered before, but maybe not recently.

I have company coming this weekend, and they specifically asked to go for Indian food for dinner. I've been out of the dining loop as of late due to financial constraints (new house - a/k/a "The Money Pit") so I haven't been able to keep up on what's happening in the past year or so locally.

I live near Edison, and I remember there's a plethora of good Indian food in that area. I'd eaten in a couple of really lovely places, one of which blew my mind a few years back but for the life of me can't remember the name of it. The person who is coming to visit, I think, does not really know "good" Indian food - and probably wouldn't if it hit her over the head. I suspect, any place would make her happy but I'd prefer something better than average for my dining experience if I'm going to blow money on eating out when I can ill afford it anyway.

Frankly - I'd rather cook but my kitchen hasn't been finished completey yet and I'd rather not do dishes in the laundry sink in the basement for company :p (sink should have been hooked up this week but looks like next week *sighs*)

So, suggestions? We're willing to drive a bit out of the area (Rahway) but not too far. We would like to have a drink or two and I'm doing the driving so keeping as close to home as possible is preferable.

Thanks!

[Elora]

Well, we eventually did go to Moghul and had a very good dinner. We ordered way too much food (the waiter warned us but I told him I had no working kitchen at home and leftovers would be most welcome). A minced lamb with spinach, shrimp with a coconut curry sauce, chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, rice, dal (swimming in butter, fantastic), 2 kinds of naan, raita and mango lassi for all.

Very good service, huge portions. Had enough for 2 more dinners lol. Will go back for sure.

[HillJ]

So happy to hear you enjoyed Moghul! The portions are very generous. We always stop by the sweet shop a few doors down for a few lbs. of Indian pastries and enjoy the leftovers from Moghul over the next few days. Their paneer dishes are so good.

We also enjoy the buffet at Rasoii when we shop at the local markets.

[GraydonCarter]

I don't understand why some restaurants get automatically added to the post, and others don't. Maybe you have to add a review?

Moghul Restaurant
http://www.chow.com/restaurants/111533

[HillJ]

http://www.moghul.com/edison/index.html
I think the website is even better to link.

[Elora]

Darn! Wish we'd known about that! Not that we could have fit anymore into us but it would have been a treat to take home and have with the leftovers.

BTW, my BF's daughter deemed the meal the best Indian food she'd ever had. Now - being that I've had a lot of very good Indian meals, I won't say the same however, it was rather good so high praise from her :)

[HillJ]

The Indian pastry shop off Oak Tree Rd (can't recall the biz name) on the left before the two markets & Rasoii is also excellent for sweets, treats and some of the spicest savory snacks I've ever had and their samosa by the lb. to die for!

[EthnicNJ]

Glad dinner worked out. Moghul's on my list to try soon.

[queeks]

I enjoy the lunch buffet at the Red Pepper on Route 22 Eastbound across from Bowcraft and Senkalp (recently opened) on Oak Tree Avenue, (not Road) & Park Avenue in South Plainfield in the Golden Shopping Center. Ditto on Saffron.

[bocomo]

I second the recommendation of Red Pepper on Route 22 East in Scotch Plains. It's run by two brothers, and the food is consistently excellent and the service gracious. (I've never had the lunch buffet, only dinner.)

[GraydonCarter]

I guess Sankalp moved to Edison? Or is this a second location?

http://www.sankalpusa.com/wp-content/...

[ambrose]

Yes, it's rather confusing - one on Oak Tree Avenue in South Plainfield and a second on Oak Tree Road in Edison. I believe these are the only two in NJ.

[Spiritchaser]

I still think Star of India in Kenilworth is absolutely wonderful. Also really like Spice Melange in Metuchen.

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Spice Melange
419 Main St, Metuchen, NJ

Star of India Restaurant
496 Boulevard, Kenilworth, NJ 07033

[scarlet knight]

It's not in Union County, but Saffron in East Hanover is exceptionally good and worth the trip. It is on Route 10 in a strip mall building next to T-Mobile,across the street from Dick's and Marshall's. Great food and atmosphere.

[dragonguy]

spice melange is awesome, esp lunch buffet

[ambrose]

Elora, I did not click on your message because of the Union County reference but now that I have done so I see you live near Edison. You really should consider the restaurants in that area.

Rasoi II would also be my first choice. I have posted about it before and will mention again that I have gone there with Indian friends who tell me it is the real deal. I had forgotten that Rasoi has a bar but that indeed is a plus!

The other place in that area that I like is Moghul. I used to go there quite a bit for their lunch buffet but haven't been for a couple of years. Perhaps someone else can give a more recent update.

http://rasoiindianrestaurant.com/rasoi2/index.html

Added in Edit: As I recall, Rasoi II can get very busy, even on a week night. You might want to go early or make a reservation.

http://www.moghul.com/edison/index.html

[Elora]

Hi Ambrose.

I have been to Moghul, I'm pretty sure that was the one I was trying to remember the name of in fact.

I looked at both menus and I think I prefer Moghuls. For one, Rasoii has no dal on the menu at all. And, Moghul has more interesting and varied choices that are out of the usual fare you get in most Indian places.

I'm going to give them a call and see if they require reservations for Saturday evening. Thanks very much again.

[EthnicNJ]

Plenty of reasonable Indian options in Middlesex County - the Iselin - Edison - North Brunswick corridor is the epicenter of Jersey's best Indian food. My favorites are Rasoi II in Iselin and Abhiruchi in North Brunswick. Rasoi has a full bar; Abhiruchi is BYO.

In Union County, Raagini in Mountainside and Dabbawalla in Summit get decent reviews, but are more expensive.

This map might be helpful -
http://www.ethnicnj.com/map/

Enjoy.

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Rasoi
1567 Oak Tree Rd, Iselin, NJ 08830

Abhiruchi Indian Cuisine
2800 State Route 27, North Brunswick, NJ 08902

Raagini Restaurant
1085 US Highway 22, Mountainside, NJ 07092

Dabbawalla
427 Springfield Ave, Summit, NJ 07901

[Elora]

Thanks very much for that map!

Raagini was my first choice when I lived in Scotch Plains. Always consistent, good service and nice atmosphere. I've never been to Dabbawalla but nonetheless both are too far from my home right now.

Perhaps Rasoi fits the bill. Having the bar on the premises is a plus, and it's rather close by. If we wind up there, I'll post the experience for sure.

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Rasoi
1567 Oak Tree Rd, Iselin, NJ 08830

Raagini Restaurant
1085 US Highway 22, Mountainside, NJ 07092

Dabbawalla
427 Springfield Ave, Summit, NJ 07901

[ambrose]

Thanks for posting the link to the map! It's a little dated but VERY useful.

[ChowJon99x]

ditto on Raagini...good, but expensive. Haven't tried the ones in the Edison area, but I hear that they are the best.