Bhog Brings Indian Cuisine Back to Pleasantville

Like many locals, Nimma Reddy was disappointed when he saw Bollywood Bistro was shuttered last year.

"This was my favorite Indian restaurant in Westchester County," he reflected, sitting in the redone Wheeler Avenue space Thursday.

Reddy, who has operated another Indian restaurant for 13 years, is constantly traveling from its Mississippi location to New York and India.

He missed frequenting Bollywood Bistro when it closed and decided to look into purchasing the space.

And today, just a few months later, he opens Bhog (pronounced "bo-gue") on a culturally significant occasion for many who practice Hinduism.

"Ugadi is the New Year for half of the religion in India," he shared as he paused to show text messages from family members wishing him well on the holiday. "It's an auspicious day for us."

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The word "bhog," Reddy said, refers to something of luxury or refinement—a concept he hopes customers will experience.

Reddy said he aims to maintain several of the key elements he enjoyed as a patron of Bollywood Bistro—great service, an upscale ambiance and of course, delicious and authentic food.

The space looks somewhat different—most conspicuously, Reddy took down a wall separating the restaurant's entrance from its dining room, which gives the room a larger and more open feel.

He hasn't changed the menu much from Bollywood's, but Reddy, who also serves as the head chef for Bhog, is introducing a few new kebabs.

He also suggests patrons consider trying the masala roast chicken, a dish growing in popularity especially on the west coast, which is sometimes referred to as simply MRC.

For now, Reddy said he wants to hear locals' feedback—especially those who were fans of Bollywood—about the food and experience at Bhog and plans to make adjustments going forward accordingly.

"I thought I would just go for a month or two and see how the crowd in Pleasantville take my new changes," he said. "I can keep inventing and keep changing."

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Bhog (68 Wheeler Ave. Pleasantville) is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday 12 to 9 p.m. Call 914-769-4100 for more information.