Nina's Desi Kitchen — Restaurant in Southington

We began the first day of our vacation on a bad not with the locations either being partially open or not open at all. Lunch wasn't that great either. Somehow we went to Wadsworth falls and had fun. After finished enjoy our time at the falls, we were hungry to another level. You see this level being famished is something else and when we are famished, we always look for @desi.food and viola we found a gem! A recently opened Pakistani restaurant that serves traditional desi-pakistani food at its best! You would not believe the owners are down to earth kinda people.

We were running late as the restaurant closes at 9 and we would be there by 8:20. Most restaurants would turn us away as we were late, but Nina's kitchen did not, rather welcomed us with such warmth, that we were halfway full with their generosity. They were pretty accomodating and took our order over the phone to save us some time. As soon as we opened the door, the aroma was out of this world and the view was just mouth watering. Our table was ready with our orders being served on the go!

We ordered the following:

★ Chicken Karahi - 5★ Chicken Shami Kebab - 5★ Shahi Lamb Biryani - 4.7★ Laccha Paratha - 4.8★ Garlic Naan - 5★ ★

We spoke with the owners for a long time and their story is something you should visit and listen. As we were finishing our food, they came to us and said, "Since you had a bad day, we would love to give you 2 cups of masala chai - IT WAS AWESOME & CAN'T BE RATED (tea) and Sooji Ka Halwa -5★ (dessert)". We were humbled and whispered under our breath, what a end to a day that began otherwise.

The couple followed all protocols according to Covid-19 pandemic and we felt safe to eat there. Masks were worn through and through with other safety measures. The picture was taken without the masks just for picture courtesy sake.

For what it's worth! The food was awesome and so was the company. Please do visit @ninasdesikitchen for the best Desi food in...

if you have not tried Indian, Pakistani or Afghan cuisine, you HAVE to try this place. The blend of spices, the aromas and textures of the food are something you will not find anywhere else. This places run by a husband and wife team who prepare the food themselves and its fresh.

My husband tried the Handi Chicken and he has been hooked onto it for the past two months and he has literally been getting it everyday. Do not get deceived by the portion sizes, they are plentiful. The Nihari and the kababs have a flavor profile that is so intoxicating that you might need to get save your fingers while you are eating.

The owners are always there with welcoming smiles and it shows in the food and in the service as well. It is a small place but good things do come in small packages.

Give them a try. Make sure to get a cold beverage that is called Lassi(LASS-ee) esp on a hot day. They make it in three flavors and you take one sip, you WILL get hooked onto it.

If you want to try a new breakfast, then try the desi breakfast that comes with a sweet semolina halwa and a really savory chickpea curry and is served with hot Paratha( flat bread).

Rest assured, once you try the Potato Pakoras, Paneer pakora and onion pakoras...known as FRITTERS, which they serve with two amazing dipping sauces, you WILL be back for...

I am so happy I discovered this spot. It is completely devoid of any commercial gimmicks a lot of Indian/Pakistani restaurants use in their recipes. It is SO FRESH. Classical recipes without any twists and turns, served exactly the way they’re supposed to be served.

We ordered the chicken biryani. So sumptuous without being sticky. So spicy without throwing the entire spice rack into it. Aromatic and delicate. One of the best I’ve had - better than any in NYC or Philly by far. Better than many of the more commercial kitchens in Edison.

Also, not to mention the absolutely outstanding chaapli kababs and lamb korma. The korma is how my grandma used to make it in Lucknow. You can tell it gathered a little more color in Pakistan.

Lastly, I wish they would figure out how to open a franchise in Brooklyn. It is so required. But Nina does all her own cooking, so it’s a bit of a puzzle to solve, but I hope they find someone great to solve this with soon.

Lots of best wishes...