Review: Lunch at Amrina

Amrina has quickly established itself as the hotspot in the Woodlands for a delicious, upscale night out. Chef Jassi Bindra’s meticulously executed cuisine has been surprising and delighting guests since the restaurant’s opening. Brothers Surpreet Singh and Preet Paul Singh have crafted a unique, luxurious atmosphere and assembled a talented group of entertainers. The team has brought Vibe Dining to the Woodlands, especially on weekend evenings. There’s no cooler scene in town.

Recently, Amrina added lunch service to its offerings. Lunch is a more relaxed affair, with chill beats filling the beautiful space.

Chef Jassi has created a very clever lunch menu offering the best of what Woodlands locals love, all with his unique Desi spin. The menu offers both quick choices (for those in a hurry) and more elaborate preparations. Dishes range from the chef’s unique take on burgers, to healthy wraps, to salads, to noodle dishes and more.

On our recent lunch visit, we sampled a wide variety of dishes. Here are our favorites. (Click or tap on any image for a larger view.)

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The vegetarian Paneer Steak serves as another reminder that Indian vegetarian food is neither boring nor flavorless. A salad of mixed greens is enhanced with quinoa tabbouleh, cucumber and radish, utterly craveable tandoori avocado slices, and topped with a slab of paneer (an Indian cheese).

Hakka Noodles is a fresh, fragrant pasta dish. The unleavened wheat noodles are combined with fresh greens, crowned with your choice of chicken, veg, or egg, and finished with a flavorful tomato gravy.

Kerala Fried Chicken Burger is Chef Jassi’s answer to the popular Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich. There’s no one-note cayenne seasoning here; the chef’s blend of spices and his tangy chutney elevate this creation above the expected. Cheddar cheese is a creamy counterpoint, and the masala fries remind us that nothing is allowed out of the kitchen that’s not expertly seasoned.

Mushroom Kadai Burger is a truly unique spin on the ubiquitous burger. A melange of mushrooms and bell peppers are gently cooked in a tomato gravy, then draped over a bed of melted cheddar cheese. Finished with grilled onions and cucumber, this vegetarian burger is miles beyond other boring attempts at veggie burgers; its bold, unique flavors don’t try to pretend to be something they’re not.

Tandoori Cauliflower Naan Roll is another delicious vegetarian option that will delight meat eaters as well. Spicy tandoori cauliflower is joined with bell pepper, pickled onion, and a spritz of mint aioli, then cloaked in housemade naan. The lush, balanced flavors will have you forgetting that this is a healthy choice.

Malabar Prawn Curry features large peeled prawns expertly grilled and surrounded by the luscious, creamy malabar curry, redolent of coconut and curry. The kitchen completely peels the savory prawns, making the dish easy to eat without making a mess, a choice that we applaud.

Judging by the dishes we sampled, this first lunch menu at Amrina is a roaring success. Chef Jassi Bindra’s mastery of seasoning and flavor is on full display, and we think it’s an incredibly exciting option for anyone craving a delicious lunch near the Waterway.