Features

Date Place,Kid Friendly,Outdoor Seating,Perfect For Parties,Pet Friendly,Take-Out

Cuisine

American New,Indian,International,Nightlife,Wine Bar

From the restaurant:

 We would like to thank all of our Guests for the last nine years of support and we would like to invite each you to our new location.        - Meena & Rohit Patel

 

Anokha Fine Indian Cuisine was founded in 1999 by Meena & Rohit Patel.  For nearly a decade, Anokha was located in a small quaint little storefront on Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove.  Meena Patel has been the Executive Chef of Anokha since the beginning and has only recently relinquished that role to her son, Chef Bhavesh Patel.

 

Now under the direction of Chef Bhavesh and his cousin Nitesh, Anokha has expanded  its concept to include the Peacock Lounge.  The new space boasts over 3,900 square feet with ample outdoor space, a full bar with an Indian-inspired specialty cocktail list, the world’s only “American-Desi” menu, and Miami’s only “Bottomless Glass of Wine,” the new Anokha & the Peacock Lounge are poised to bring Bollywood, in all its pageantry and glory, to South Florida.

 

With the rapid modernization of India, comes the inevitable modernization of Indian cuisine.  In a world without borders, cultures and cuisines are bound to collide.  Luckily for discerning Miamians that collision and the life experiences of Bhavesh & Nitesh Patel have led to a dining and drinking experience unsurpassed anywhere in South Florida.

 

“Indian cuisine is by far more popular in cities like New York, Chicago, and Atlanta than in Miami.  We understand what the prevailing stereotypes are about Indian restaurants in the US.  When the average person thinks Indian food, they usually think buffet or curry or too spicy.  We don’t blame them.  Most of it is exactly like that.  We want to change the stereotypes.  We want to bring OUR food and the spices we use to the masses.  Nobody else is doing it, so why not us, why not here.  After all, Miami is a melding of different cultures.”

 

 

Along with modernized versions of traditional Indian dishes, Anokha features the world’s only “American-Desi” menu.  With imaginative creations like the Pulled Goat Sandwich with Kashmiri Cole Slaw & Curried Baked Beans (an homage to a Southern Classic) and the artful blending of exotic and complex spices in his re-defining of traditional Indian dishes such as Makkhani Murghi, Chef Bhavesh shows his talents as a master of Indian cuisine and why he is a leader among young Indian chefs worldwide.  His travels to India and Hong Kong as a guest chef at resorts and restaurants is a testament to his talents and help feed his creativity and passion for food.

 

Not only has the food undergone a modernization, but, so has the restaurant space as well.  Formerly located on Commodore Plaza in a dark and dingy space in the shadow (literally) of next door neighbor, Cristabelle’s Quarter, Anokha has now moved to a modern, bright, and fresh space on Virginia Street (still in Coconut Grove).  The space features a sensuous curved Zebra-wood wall with beautiful shades of orange and brown.  Art nooks feature painted Andy Warhol-like murals of legendary Bollywood stars, while High Definition TVs continuously play classic Bollywood movies.  India’s obsession with goddesses is played out thru the stunningly beautiful female servers dawning traditional Indian clothing, revealing just enough to let the imagination run wild.

 

Indian restaurants, in most cases, have a limited drink selection.  A few beers and some popular wines, but they rarely have a full bar.  At the new Anokha, not only is there a full bar with Indian-inspired Martinis, but, there’s a whole different concept attached, The Peacock Lounge.  The Peacock Lounge features plush couches and comfortable armchairs, a totally different menu (not available in the restaurant), and is home to Miami’s only “Bottomless Glass of Wine”.  Bathed in orange, patrons sit in the Peacock Lounge as the sip on one of many inventive cocktails such as the Watermelon & Chili Martini or the Cucumber Cooler.

 

Anokha Restaurant & the Peacock Lounge are both casual establishments, which give you upscale, genuinely friendly, and attentive service.  The staff is very knowledgeable and will gladly guide first-timers through the Indian experience.  Both establishments have numerous weekly events and daily specials.  Currently, Anokha and the Peacock Lounge are open for lunch Monday-Friday 11am-3pm, dinner Tuesday-Sunday 6pm-10pm, with plans to open for brunch in the fall.  The Peacock Lounge is open until 2am Thursday-Saturday.  Valet parking is available and coming this fall, park anywhere in the Grove and hail a Rickshaw to Anokha for free.  Just another way they are bringing a piece of India to Miami.