Indian cuisine comes to Rankin Avenue in Asheville: What to know
ASHEVILLE - A new downtown restaurant has made its U.S. debut promising big, bold international flavors.
On July 6, Big Tikka restaurant opened at 49 Rankin Ave. The location was home to Noble Cider’s downtown cider tasting room that closed in January.
Big Tikka offers an extensive menu of nostalgic Indian cuisine originating from regions across India, like “aromatic curries,” “tandoori delights” and butter chicken but prepared with global techniques and influences, and a contemporary flair.
Lush, leather banquettes and wooden tables and chairs set in the open dining room offer ample seating for small and larger parties. Outdoor, sidewalk seating is planned for the front of the restaurant.
Dining room guests are welcome to peek through the large bank of windows into the open kitchen to see the culinary team at work.
Big Tikka's menu
The appetizer menu features the traditional Indian puff pastry Nagpuri Shahi Samosa filled with tempered potatoes, peas and nuts and an Indian-Chinese fusion dish, Chinatown Ki Murgh, consisting of boneless, corn flour-battered chicken thigh pieces that are fried, and then sauteed in soy and garlic sauce.
Signature entrées include a Punjabi Lamb Chop made with a New Zealand lamb rack marinated overnight in galangal, wild melon powder and black stone flower. It’s cooked in a tandoor clay oven, tossed in a creamy lamb sauce, and served with jeera rice.
Vegetarian and vegan dishes are available. Spice levels are notated on the menu.
An array of naan may be added to a meal from traditional, soft, plain naan to a mozzarella cheese-fill naan ― level it up by ordering the cheese chili garlic naan.
The dessert menu features favorites like Gulab Jamun-Gulab, Kheer and Mango Cheesecake.
Currently, Big Tikka’s bar offers soft drinks, juices, tea and mocktails. Alcoholic beverages are not currently available.
Big Tikka is offering a 10% discount to guests visiting during the opening introductory days.
From New Zealand to North Carolina
Dilawar Singh, co-owner, told the Citizen Times via email that Big Tikka was founded and has two locations in Auckland, New Zealand.
He said Asheville was chosen as part of the business’s U.S. expansion plan after conducting extensive research. The city’s thriving food and beverage community, high concentration of restaurant, breweries and coffee shops were selling points.
Singh said six employees were hired for the downtown Asheville restaurant.
Interested candidates with “a great passion for service and hospitality” may stop in to talk to the Big Tikka management team about opportunities.
“We urge the community of Asheville to support us by giving us a try and discovering the amazing flavors and experiences we have to offer,” Singh said. “We are confident that once you step through our doors, you'll be transported to a world of culinary delight.”
Big Tikka
Where: 49 Rankin Ave., downtown.
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. lunch service Friday-Sunday.
5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. dinner service Wednesday-Monday.
Info: For more, visit bigtikka.com and follow at Facebook and @bigtikka_asheville.
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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Big Tikka restaurant opens with Indian fare: What to know
