The owners of one of New York’s longest-running Indian restaurants is currently gearing up to open up a brand new concept on Ninth Avenue between 53rd Street and 54th.
The new restaurant, which will be called Jaz, will be operated by RH Hospitality, which is owned by Jaz Rupall and Syed Haider. Jaz and Sayed have been successfully serving up authentic Indian cuisine for decades. Serving up traditional dishes like Samosas, Tikka Masala, and Lamb Xacutti, Jaz will have an especially robust selection of vegetarian options. Offering a slew of plant-and-cheese-based options like Palak Paneer, Mushroom Mutter, and Chickpea Chana Masala, Jaz will also accommodate other tastes with hearty offerings of chicken, goat, lamb, and seafood. Jaz will even offer a unique selection of authentic dishes served in an Indian clay oven known as a tandoor, alongside a refreshing selection of Lassi yogurt drinks.
Moving into the space at 813 9th Avenue, Jaz will be replacing Yuqi’s Thai Restaurant. Known for serving up authentic Thai classics like Thom Yum Soup and Pork Pad Thai, Yuqi’s was a popular Thai restaurant that served the neighborhood for years but sadly closed last year in response to the pandemic. Located in a traditionally intimate Midtown space, Jaz is expected to seat about 38 guests inside. While the location does feature a large backyard, it does not appear that there are currently plans in place to incorporate the outdoor space into the restaurant.