An A-list celeb opening a restaurant is not a new concept. We were curious, though, when Priyanka Jonas, née Chopra, arrived with a restaurant that gives a nod to her Indian heritage. SONA NYC quickly become a hot spot, where even the nether regions of 5 to 11 PM are booked. Upon perusal of the menu, we really did want one of each. Here’s our review of Priyanka Chopra’s restaurant SONA.
Overview:
SONA is a chic modern Indian restaurant in NYC’s Flatiron. We would classify Priyanka Chopra’s restaurant SONA NYC as highly curated. Everything from the beautifully selected green and white plates, Zalto-shaped wine glasses (but far studier) and flatware indicate a high level of taste. Outdoor seating was done to the nines, where we hope they keep it going through the fall. Indoors is decorated to the level you would expect of NYC restaurants during the American Psycho era, when Dorsia was the hottest place. Yes, NYC is back.
The Scene:
It’s nice to have restaurants that inspire you to get out of your yoga pants. The clientele is dressed elegantly for dinner, to match the sophisticated interiors. This is not to say this is uptight or formal at all. You can be elegant and beautiful, without taking yourself too seriously. That pretty much describes Priyanka Chopra, and her restaurant SONA NYC.
The manager spends most of his time greeting clients who are regulars, but in a genuine, familial kind of way. There’s a lot of laughing and hugging going on, which flows right into the atmosphere. It makes you want to be a regular, which we would say are the majority of the diners. The crowd is diverse overall, and no matter what age or ethnic background, there were a lot of beautiful people.
The Food:
When a celebrity opens a restaurant, we normally cover it on Galavante’s Celeb Travel. That’s because it’s normally more about hype than food. Here, it’s not about Priyanka Chopra’s restaurant, but rather the food. Not only did the menu sound delicious, wow the food delivered. The same level of detail given to the scene is amplified in the food. The puri with caviar started out the night. If you have two guests, they’ll suggest to add on a 4th piece. Absolutely say yes as you’ll want at least two of these bites. The gruyere dosa is a tower that encompasses the potato below it. It comes with a side of coconut and tomato curry. Tip of the day: ask for the mint curry as well.
For mains, the chicken meatball is sinful, and served with excellent thin naan. The curry shrimp is a modern elegant rendition, that is delicate and flavorful at the same time. The spice didn’t blow out your taste buds but rather enhanced the dish. The food at Priyanka Chopra’s restaurant SONA NYC is nothing short of impressive. It takes traditional Indian dishes and makes them more elegant.
The Service:
We braced ourselves for some major attitude, given the beautiful people and packed restaurant when we checked in. We were shocked that it was nothing but smiling, friendly and welcoming hosts. Seating was prompt, within 10 minutes of arriving. Within seconds we were greeted by our server with water and a friendly welcome. Service was impeccable yet down-to-earth. Our impression was that everyone, from the hosts to those clearing plates and running food, enjoyed their work. That culture shined through on the service.
Overall: We give Priyanka Chopra’s restaurant SONA a huge thumbs up. 8/10
FAQs
Q: When is lunch served?
A: SONA offers lunch 12-3p.m. Wednesday-Friday.
Q: Is there a brunch menu?
A: Brunch is served 11 a.m.—2:30 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays.
Q: Where can one make reservations?
A: To inquire about dining at SONA, please email [email protected] with your name, phone number, date availability, time, and number of guests.
Sona Information
Address: 36 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003
Hours:
Sunday 11a.m.-10p.m.
Monday 5-10p.m.
Tuesday 5-10p.m.
Wednesday 12-10p.m.
Thursday 12-10p.m.
Friday 12-10p.m.
Saturday 11a.m.-10p.m.
Phone number: 212-203-6460
