Raaga - Modern Indian Cuisine
| Address: | 544 Agua Fria St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA |
| Phone: | +1 505-820-6440 |
| Site: | raagacuisine.com |
| Rating: | 4.5 |
| Working: | 11AM–2PM 11AM–2PM 11AM–2PM 11AM–2PM 11AM–2PM 4–9PM Closed |
Location
Photos 44
Reviews 8
KE
Kevin Noe
Now THIS is what eating great food, from ANY culture, is all about. What an evening! What a great restaurant! What service! What personalities... and what staggeringly wonderful food! I simply cant say enough good things - but Ill try. First of all, if youve only had a very standard Americanized version of Indian cooking, this is different. Great care is taken to do absolutely everything right - no shortcuts - and the food is incredible as a result. The flavor profiles are more complex, more subtle, and more satisfying by far. However, dont go in expecting things to taste exactly like every other Indian restaurant youve eaten at. Expect authenticity - bolder flavors without resorting only to the obvious sweeter and hotter ways to get the palette moving. This is the real deal. Second - the owner Paddy is a piece of work in the best possible way. Now THIS is what meeting the chef/owner is all about. He personally looks after his customers with a thoroughness that is almost never found nowadays. He is genuinely interested in his customers; he wants them to have the best - period. HIs partner in the best of crimes is a wonderful guy named Dick Rosemont - equally gregarious (as are, I should point out, the waiters and staff) and we had our most memorable meal in Santa Fe this year. We have dined in most of the great restaurants here over the years, and this one is for the memory books. Wild horses couldnt keep us away next time. Do yourselves a favor, and go check out his unique and wonderful food, and be sure to bring your smiles!!
TR
Tringard Anactiel
After the first bite of the Spinach Salad, I set my distractions aside and relished the perfect mixture of flavors involved. Although its contents are simple, lightly tempura battered spinach with onions and tomatoes, the yoghurt based dressing brings the flavors together to make it so much more than the name belies. For my main course, I ordered 2 small plates, a perfect size for one. The Lamb Curry offered a distinctly unique flavor with its hints of anise. I dont know that I can properly describe the tastes offered by the Bombay Aloo, but I made sure to finish with it so that I could savor its tastes as long as possible. I enjoyed eating alone here, my book closed, giving the experience my entire devotion as the food deserved. I arrived early in the dinner service and by the time I left the restaurabt was full with a short wait on a Tuesday night, no less. Service was prompt throughout and my server was helpful with his suggestions, strongly recommending the salad and helping me choose the best Naan for my meal (garlic and cilantro). The chef periodically wandered through to ensure prompt service and to greet his guests. He recognized his regulars while still mingling with us tourists. At one point I overheard a couple ask him which he preferred between two dishes to which he replied, "If I could answer that, one of those would not be on the menu." Im certain to return next time Im in Santa Fe.
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Ashley Waddell
If you visit Santa Fe without having at least one meal at Raaga, you need to turn around and go back to New Mexico, because you havent really experienced this town without enjoying a meal cooked by Paddy Rawal and his team. If youre thinking to yourself, "Ive experienced Indian food before," please know that youve never had food like this: Mumbai meets the American Southwest. Many dishes, like the pindi chana (infused with ancho) and the corn palak (with its slightly smoky flavor) evoke a Santa Fe influence on the foods flavors. Dont forget to start with the spinach salad, which is truly amazing (and can be made vegan for the plant-based eaters in your party) and some samosas...much more complexly flavored than the "standard" samosa youve likely had before. Raagas service is also second to none. Every time I visit -- and sadly, thats not very often, as I live in Colorado -- Im greeted like a beloved family member coming home for dinner. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Raagas. Try it and experience it for yourself!
PR
Professor Scot
Wow! Talk about bland. Maybe Santa Fe based Indian food (or what it describes itself as the "new" Indian culinary tastes) means simplistic and water downed. If you are familiar with food served in New York, Chicago or expecially Los Angeles, this food will disappoint you. The lamb of lamb korma had a beef flavor. The sauce was watered downed and lacked the richness and complexity of the sauce one finds in most Indian food establishments. The cheese was unusually hard and lacking in tastes. If you do go, make sure you order a spiciness of "HELL" . "Medium" green chili at most establishments is spicier than "hot" at Raaga. Of course if you dont like the effect of Indian food beyond your meal, then you might like the food here. Good for teenagers.
RA
Rajesh Rao
Was in Santa Fe for vacation and was delighted by the hospitality by the staff and creativeness of the dishes served. We ordered the Lasooni Gobi and was happily surprised by the flavorful garlic sauce and thinly fried cauliflower. It was absolutely delicious! Then we ordered the tandoori chicken and it was also very good. The chicken was tender, crispy and was cooked well. There was a tomato sauce served with the gobi and that tasted flavorful as well. We also ordered the Kadi paneer. The cashew sauce was creamy, and good as well. The restaurant was amazing! All the dishes were cooked and flavoured to perfection! The waiter (Noah) was excellent and very helpful in what to eat. all in all amazing food and service! I definitely recommend this!
MI
Michael Oritz
First class. Paddy greats you personally when he is there. The decor is chic and subtle, very comfortable. This is where connoisseurs go without paying high prices. The food tastes so fresh and healthful. The staff is extremely attentive and genuinely upbeat, not that phony stuff. The wine selection is limited, but great---not high end labels, but high value/90+ wines. Honestly, I am pretty intolerant to poor business practices and I say it like it is. My reviews are very honest and direct. If you want a first class experience, go here. The dish variety is so diverse everyone will be pleased. This restauranteur will be extremely successful.
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Arvind Parthasarathy
The food here is excellent. Me and my family passed through Santa Fe and stopped for lunch at this restaurant during a big road trip. It is a small restaurant in a sleepy looking neighborhood, and could be easily missed. Lucky we had our GPS. The person who served us was very courteous and helpful both in terms of telling us about what to see in Santa Fe, as well as advising us on the right amount to order. One unique dish that I have not tasted elsewhere is an Okra based dish called Bhindi Kurmuri. I would highly recommend this one. It is fried Okra with a skewer of vegetables and chaat masala.
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Alexandra M
I would eat here for every meal if I could! Paddy Rawals attention to detail is impeccable - everything about his business is perfect. He is the most welcoming host. All things we have tried on his menu have blown us away. Even ordering the same meal many times over, it bursts with new flavour every bite. Hes set a standard for food that no other restaurant in Santa Fe can reach. Couldnt be happier with this place, it is a MUST for everyone who has not been. Dont bother with all those other overpriced establishments, even if they are rated well, they cant compare.
