Restaurant owner Sonny Solomon opened Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens, in 2015, combining fine dining and progressive Indian cuisine. He began his career as a server at Dawat restaurant, and later served at many renowned New York restaurants, including One C.P.S. by David Burke, Artisanal Fromagerie, Mercer Kitchen by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and Town by Geoffrey Zakarian. Solomon worked with Chef Hemant Mathur to help Devi restaurant achieve the first Michelin star given to an Indian restaurant in the United States. Meanwhile, Executive Chef Binder Saini learned from the chefs at fine Indian establishments like Dawat, Tulsi, and Bukhara Grill before becoming an in-demand chef in his own right.
Beyond its acclaimed cuisine, one thing that helps Kurry Qulture stand apart from other great Indian restaurants is its policy on reimbursing Uber and Lyft fares. Recognizing the inconvenience that many local New Yorkers face with the shutdown of the 30th Avenue subway stop, Solomon ensures that diners are reimbursed up to $10 for their car fare upon showing a receipt. To learn more about this brave concept and the restaurant itself, I had the pleasure of asking some questions of Solomon on behalf of A Global Lifestyle. (All photos courtesy of Kurry Qulture.)
AGL: Where did the idea for the Uber and Lyft tie-in come from?
Sonny Solomon: The 30th Avenue subway stop shut down and it’s had a major effect on most of the businesses in the area. So I wanted to find a creative way to incentivize people to visit, regardless. A $10 Uber or Lyft ride will take you pretty far, so it allows people from all over Queens to consider taking the trip.
Uber and Lyft promotion aside, what’s coming up for Kurry Qulture?
We’re excited about our recently-launched winter menu. It has some great new dishes like Amritsari fish with carom seeds and chickpea flour, and teekhn murgh, a spicy chicken curry made with Jamaican peppers.
What is your favorite item on the Kurry Qulture menu?
Probably the Duck Bihari,. Because it’s not a dish you usually find on Indian menus, and it’s hearty with a little kick — great for the winter weather.
Finally, Sonny, any last thoughts?
For anyone still searching for the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner, we’re offering a $40 four-course prix fixe menu featuring some of our most standout dishes.
