Junoon is a family run, upscale homage to Indian cuisine, opening in the Flatiron District in 2010. It pushed back on the idea that Indian food in America had to be casual, inexpensive, or predictable. Michelin noticed quickly: the restaurant earned a star in 2011 and kept it for eight years. After closing during the pandemic, Junoon returned in 2021 a few doors from its original location, smaller and more intimate but still intent on treating Indian cuisine as serious fine dining.
We opted for the Journey through India with the coursed wine pairing, which begins with champagne because, as the sommelier Andrew Gianvecchio put it, “That’s the move.” He was right. The warm brioche notes and bright acidity somehow prepared the palate perfectly for the layers of spice, smoke, and richness ahead. Like stretching before a marathon.
And if you choose the Journey Through India tasting menu, it is a marathon — one paced so beautifully you barely notice how far you’ve gone until the final course lands. Junoon chef Akshay Bhardwaj understands that flavor alone isn’t enough. The magic is in contrast. Cold against warm. Crunch giving way to silkiness. Smoke followed by brightness. Every dish is built not just for taste, but for movement.
Dining and Cooking