Gazab 179 Essex Street, Manhattan, New York,

"Small, tightly packed space. Even with a reservation, people had to wait a few minutes on a Friday evening so would highly recommend a reservation! We had the Pani Puri, tandoori pineapple, jackfruit pakoda khadi, zahtar naan and the gulab jamun creme brulee. The dessert was incredible - creamy, not too sweet, with surprising jamuns inside! Will revisit just to have that again. The Pani puri and the khadi were good too."

"Made a reservation and had to wait a few minutes before we could enter the restaurant and it was raining, but once we got in the food was amazing and the service was wonderful. Absolutely a memorable experience. We ordered more than we could eat! The pineapple was to die for, the chicken was the best we’ve ever had!!"

"This is a cute little restaurant that seats no more than 25 people at a time. It's a modern twist on classic Indian vibes with cool art work. Seating is definitely tight but it gives the feel of eating at a roadside dhaba. The service was quick and the waiters are attentive. We were celebrating an event and they were able to put some celebratory candles in the dessert and change the music to the song of our choice. The food was all around great as well. The pani puri dish tasted like your typical pani puri, but presentation is key with the pani served in light bulbs with a spout. It was a fun experience, but it was unique to be shaking pani into the puri like hot sauce. The bok choy chaat was tasty and honestly tasted like regular pakoda - it's a great way to hide veggies. The chipotle chicken tikka was the star of the appetizers imo - the chicken was SO soft and flavorful, the marinade was so creamy. The sauce it comes with adds a smoky flavor to the chicken, but doesn't need anything to accentuate the flavor. The mushroom biryani was flavorful and a great vegetarian option. The jackfruit khadi was probably the spiciest dish of the night - it almost felt like a malai kofta feel or pakodi/kadi feel to it, but the jackfruit was spiced and fried into a very crunchy, yet not dry, nugget. The lemon chicken was also delicious and the chicken was very soft. Dessert was delicious (gulab jamun creme brulee), the custard was silky and the gulab jamun embedded in it was soft. Overall a hit! The flavors were very typical indian flavors but with new ingredients brought to the table."

"I absolutely love their Kasauli Lemon Chicken dish. It’s not a dish that you can commonly find at Indian restaurants which makes it all the more satisfying here. The inside of the store is a bit cramped but it’s definitely not unreasonable for NYC. They didn’t have mixed pickle which was a bit unfortunate but luckily the flavor of the dish was so good on its own"

"Gazab is a compact and modern Indian restaurant that leaves something to be desired in terms of ambiance. The small space can feel cramped and lacks the inviting atmosphere that one might expect from a dining establishment. However, the restaurant redeems itself with its creatively presented dishes. The food's appearance is definitely a highlight, with each plate thoughtfully arranged and visually appealing. The chefs pay attention to detail, making the dishes look enticing and appealing to the eye. While the food may be considered average in terms of flavor, the good-looking presentation adds an element of excitement to the dining experience. Despite not having standout flavors, the modern twists on classic Indian dishes offer a novel approach to familiar flavors. The service is adequate, with the staff doing their best to accommodate guests despite the limited space. However, the overall experience may be dampened by the lack of a comfortable and inviting environment. In summary, it may not be the ideal choice for a lavish dining experience, but it does offer visually appealing dishes with a modern touch. If you are looking for an exploration of creatively presented Indian cuisine in a functional space, this restaurant may be worth a visit."