Desi Indian Lounge is welcoming fall with a new Five-Course Tasting Menu by Executive Chef Bal Ajagaonkar at 1355 Hornby Street in Downtown Vancouver. Inspired by his home region of Malvan in Western India, the seasonal offering reimagines traditional recipes with a modern touch and regional ingredients.
The tasting menu is available Tuesdays through Saturdays from 6 p.m. to close, priced at $45 per person plus tax and gratuity, with wine pairings for $25. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
The experience opens with Tandoori Squash Soup, a spiced butternut squash blend topped with avocado kachumber. The Sago Cassava Tikki follows, featuring cassava and tapioca fritters served with sweet yogurt and seasonal chutney. Guests then choose between Malabar Salmon with quinoa pilaf and fennel cream or Paneer & Quinoa Pilaf, offering a vegetarian alternative with Malabar-spiced paneer. For the main course, options include Kolhapuri Lamb Bhareli Vangi, baby eggplant stuffed with spiced lamb and served with coconut sauce and millet roti, or Mushroom Bhareli Vangi, a plant-based version filled with mushroom bharta. Dessert concludes with Ukadiche Modak & Cranberry Pudding, pairing a steamed coconut-jaggery rice dumpling with pudding and mango ice cream.
Desi Indian Lounge also continues to offer daily Happy Hours from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to close. Small bites include Paneer or Chicken Thepla Tacos, Nachos, Chili, Momos, and Gobi Manchurian, priced between $9 and $10. Drinks feature $5 highballs, $7 wine pours, $11 margaritas, and $20 signature cocktails.
Chef Ajagaonkar’s menu reflects his background in Michelin-starred kitchens across the world and his dedication to sharing authentic Indian flavours with a Vancouver audience.
Desi Indian Lounge is located at 1355 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1W7. Open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday to Saturday until midnight.