Buzzy restaurant openings in New York City are a dime a dozen, but few have paid much attention to the Ambassadors Clubhouse, the city’s latest Indian restaurant. The two-level NoMad restaurant just opened in early February and has quickly become a popular destination thanks to its celebrity-studded guest list, rich Punjabi fare and the luxurious atmosphere that embodies the very reason dining out is always special.
Fans formed a waiting list of more than 50,000 within the first week after opening, according to the restaurant’s PR team. If you have to jump through hoops to even get in the door, expectations are understandably high when you stay, but the Ambassadors Clubhouse is already worth the hustle.
The Ambassadors Clubhouse is already a fan favorite of the London-born JKS Restaurants group. Founded by siblings Jyotin, Karam and Sunaina Sethi, the group is responsible for 35 locations worldwide, including Gymkhana, opened a regional location in Las Vegas late last year; an unusual string of Hoppers locations; and the first one Location of the Ambassadors Clubhouse in Mayfair, Londonwhich recently received a Michelin star in February.
Located on the ground level of the A24 office building at 1245 Broadway, the restaurant channels its neighbor’s movie magic into every aspect of the design. The two-level, 8,000-square-foot space was designed by North End, with jewel details, stained glass and Tiffany chandeliers to mimic the palaces and mansions of Punjab. Many of the maximalist decor pieces were flown in directly from India, including the fabric on the walls and the velveteen paisley carpet underfoot. The siblings took inspiration from their grandparents, hence the large portrait of their grandfather that you will pass as you walk down the hall.
Helmed by chef Karan Mittal, the menu is organized around cooking, with a prominent tandoori section that celebrates clay pot cooking inspired by the region’s flame and many large plates designed to be shared during a festive meal. Drinks also push you into the party; most Indian cocktails are fun riffs on margaritas and other drinks based on tequila and mezcal. To really get things going, order the Patiala Peg, an ode to old-school Punjabi hospitality that includes a table-top pour of Johnnie Walker Black Label with maple syrup and Afghani saffron bitters.
While Indian restaurants come from all over the city to rave reviews, it’s still rare to find a dedicated Punjabi place, so I was excited to dig into the fiery tandoori dishes and rich, aromatic curries that felt right for the season. We chose the dinner menu, a four-course tour of Northern India. It was brought to name—so much so that since we only had a table for two to share a table of overflowing dishes, we left with a large shopping bag full of leftovers.
No matter what you decide to order, each meal starts with a basket of crispy papads served with a colorful variety of chutneys and yogurt-based sauces. The Chili Cheese Pakode was another favorite to start the meal, as the fried cheese-filled ball with tomato chutney was a playful version of street food that reminded me of a spicy, high-quality mozzarella stick.
The second course features two of the restaurant’s greatest hits: Ajwaini Wild Jheenga and Original BBQ Butter Chicken Chop. Very large prawns are marinated in a mixture of yellow chillies, yogurt and carom seeds (ajwain), which gives the dish its spicy flavor. Tender chicken is turned into a lollipop chop with the bone out and drizzled with a delicious buttery chicken sauce that should be the dish’s archetype.
The restaurant’s luxurious feel is reflected in the prices—$145 per person for a full meal, which, considering the price of the food, almost feels like a bargain. Order the prawns and butter chicken chop à la carte, and it will cost you $96 for just one course. However, the menu has a range of prices, so you can keep it simple or go all out with a seafood tower for $95 and dishes meant for sharing between two to four people, such as Kotkapura Royal Atta Chicken for $120.
For the main event, you can choose from curries made with shrimp, lamb or veal cheek, and other vegetable options. Beyond your favorite dish, the restaurant fills the table with a display of other dishes such as dal, sweet potato saag, biryani and chickpeas, and an overflowing bread basket with different types of naan and paratha, making it the perfect way to leave feeling like you’ve experienced everything the restaurant has to offer.
As patrons dig into the Indian cuisine, a playlist that mixes old-school Punjabi music with current hits sets the mood. It was a blur until my friend and I asked each other, “Are they playing Nelly’s ‘Ride Wit Me’? Driving DJ Amrit Mattoo shows how much the band has dialed in the details. It’s good that the playlist is at a high level because with all that excess, you need a high that will help you get through your last bite so you can get to the exam.”
Finally, the restaurant is designed for the kind of relaxation that reminds you why you should play the reservation game. From the theater service with tableware to the cozy dining room, the restaurant is completely dependent on its playful vibe, despite the high-class dining. Yes, reservations are hard to come by. Yes, it is very expensive. But once you sit down, it’s clear that the hype isn’t just about getting a table—it’s about lingering over dinner to take in every conceivable detail.
