A trip to Napa Valley changed the way Santosh Ravindran thought about wine—and about pairing wine with Indian food. It was 2012, the same year he and his wife, Priya, started creating what would become Bangles Indian Cuisine. Before that trip, Santosh favored beer and scotch. He still enjoys those libations but is really in love with the way wine works with Indian specialties.
“I’m very passionate about pairing wine with our cuisine,” Santosh explained. “Authentic Indian food can be a little spicy, and different wines work to calm the spice or enhance it. The right wine pairing takes Indian food to a new level.”
Bangles is a BYOB that showcases the foods of Northern and Southern India. Named for the bracelets Indian women traditionally wear and the sounds they make, Bangles opened in February 2014 and has attracted a loyal following.
Use this handy guide to pick the right bottle for truly savoring the deep flavors Indian cuisine offers.
Bring the spice: To feel the delicious burn, choose an acidic, lighter wine and avoid oaked wines.
Tame the spice: To tone it down a bit, select a mildly sweet, lighter wine and allow the residual sugars to soothe the palate.
Watch those reds: Reds with pronounced tannins can bring out a bitter taste when sipped with spicy food. If you must have a red, look for one that’s fruit-forward with a smooth finish.
Santosh-Approved Wine Recommendations
- Riesling and Pinot Grigio with Lamb Pepper Fry, Madras Fish Curry, Paratha Salna and Saag Paneer
- Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz with Tandoori Chicken, Murg Tikka, Bhatti Jhinga (shrimp) and Paneer Kebab
- Chardonnay with Nilgiri Chicken Curry, Murg Makhani, Saag Chicken and Paneer Makhni
- Champagne or sparkling wines with Saag Paneer, Panner Makhni, Saag Chicken, Murg Makhni and Malai Kofta
- Pinot Noir with pretty much everything on the menu. It’s a great go-to when you’re not sure what to choose
Test your wine-pairing prowess at the lunch buffet Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon–3 p.m.; and at dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 5:30–9:30 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 5:30 p.m.–10 p.m. Bangles is closed on Mondays.
Find Bangles Indian Cuisine in Ashbridge Shopping Center at 889 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown; phone (610) 269-9600.
- Food photography: Nina Lea Photography
- Photo of Santosh and Priya Ravindran: Nina Malone
