Experiencing the culinary creations of India

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Raagini Restaurant
942 Atlantic Ave., Baldwin
(516) 608-5578, www.RaaginiNY.com

Raagini Restaurant is intimate and charming, a narrow space lined with small tables. Walls are vibrant with murals and artifacts. This is a place to experience authentic Indian cuisine at its finest. And if you’re lucky enough to get the attention of owner/chef Ran Bisht, you can learn about India’s spices and regions, which is truly fascinating. Service is friendly; guests are treated as family.

While Raagini just opened in May, experience behind it is well-seasoned. Bisht, who attended culinary school in Bombay just before moving to the United States, cooked at Windows of the World prior to 9/11, was an owner of Tandoori Grill in Rockville Centre and Raagini in New Jersey. His presentations are exquisite — sometimes garnished with sculpted fruits and vegetables — surpassing what you’d expect to find in a small Indian restaurant. And the menu, which changes twice a year, is quite extensive.

Speak up when it comes to preferences in flavors and spiciness. They happily accommodate with suggestions and/or modifications, preparing everything to order. Price-wise, you can dine quite reasonably. Appetizers are $6 to $9, Indian breads, $3 to $4.50, and Biryani dishes (Basmati rice with spices and vegetables, meats or seafood) are $12 to $16. Entrees — tandoori style, vegetarian, chicken, lamb and seafood —are $11 to $16 and usually come with rice. Desserts are $3.95 to $4.95. And you can BYOB — bring your own wine or beer.

Crunchy papadum, a cracker-like treat, is gratis, served with tamarind and mint sauces for dipping. Of the freshly baked Indian breads we enjoyed fluffy garlic naan, and onion kulcha — naan stuffed with masala and onions. Samosa (two large ones) were crisp pastry parcels stuffed with spiced potatoes and peas. Sautéed garlic shrimp, an appetizer too, were jumbo in size, resting on a bed of tangy sauce dotted with diced peppers, garnished with radish roses.

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