Garden City’s New Rooftop Indian Restaurant Is Mint

Exquisite and enticing Indian cuisine once virtually unknown to Long Island palates has finally taken up residence at the newest rooftop restaurant, Mint, in Garden City.

To Long Island foodies and social butterflies, the name may sound familiar. That’s because Mint Manhattan has been a solid social scene and foodie favorite for nearly a decade. Mint’s newest location aims to continue that tradition, serving the finest Indian cuisine (with American flavor) right alongside the busy Roosevelt Field Mall—with its grand opening earlier this month.

“Long Island’s Mint was in the works for the past two years,” explains Executive Chef and Owner Gary Sikka. “Many of Mint’s New York City guests were coming from Long Island, so we decided to bring it here.”

A first for Long Island, Garden City Mint features a rooftop lounge equipped with a wrap-around bar, tables and private cabanas, allowing guests to enjoy fine dining and a fine view—another similarity with its city sister.

“In New York City, guests really enjoy the outdoors on the 15th floor of Mint, so we wanted to bring the outdoor dinning experience to Long Islanders, too,” says Sikka.

The rooftop boasts an outdoor grill, where hungry patrons can order their favorite finger foods, including the flavor-packed Tandoor Mint Chicken Kebab, cubes of mint-flavored chicken grilled to perfection; vegetarian Kaju Gobi, cauliflower cooked in rich cashew sauce; or Diwan-e-Handi, assorted veggies, Indian homemade cheese and baby eggplant in spinach curry sauce.

Accentuating the festive vibe, a DJ spins Thursday through Saturday.

Mint’s main interior dining room (which can seat 200) is adorned with impressive artwork and furnishings from around the globe. Its colorful cocktail tables hail from India, the chairs come from Italy, the starry chandeliers are imported from Europe and the dining tables arrive via that far-away isle known as Manhattan.

Mint’s entrees resemble pieces of art themselves, products of chefs who came directly from India. The proof is in the pudding.

Mint Paratha, a multilayered whole wheat bread flavored with mint kicks things off in style, with entrees running from $20 to $30.

The delicate, melt-in-your-mouth Grilled V.I.P. Lamb Chops are a must-try: flavored with delicious spices and dipped in mint sauce. If you’re a seafood connoisseur, you’ll also want to experience the fresh Grilled Chilean Sea Bass. Delicious.

The Mango Lassis—an Indian-style yogurt sweet smoothie made of rich mango and yogurt topped with whipped cream—offers a small glimpse of nirvana, truly.

So does Mint’s extensive selection of wine—featuring everything from Californian Napa Valley varieties to authentic Indian numbers. As for specialty cocktails, the a Mint Julep “South American Style” or a Mint Chocolate Dream (flavored with Godiva Liqueur, Baileys and Peppermint Schnapps) is tough to beat, as is a pint of dark beer.

Mint’s Pina Colada Smoothies, though, sipped while staring up at the stars—well that might just be the best.

Mint

1 Ring Road West, Garden City

516-307-8677

www.mintny.com