Twice now I’ve left Calcutta Wrap & Roll in Ardsley wishing I’d ordered nothing but vegetarian or vegan dishes. When there’s been a choice of egg or no egg, I’d as soon have the eggless version. “Skinny” versus the regular version of a dish? Skinny’s actually better. You get the idea. While this tiny counter-service joint has plenty of chicken, seafood, lamb, and goat—and what I’ve had has been good—the menu gives top billing to the vegetarian sections. Take the hint.
While I have your attention: masala chai tea, on the house! Go up to the counter and help yourself.
Fifteen vegetarian appetizers and 15 vegetarian entrées are on offer, many of them vegan and gluten-free. Among the more unusual:
Calcutta vegetable chop—potato croquettes stuffed with mashed beets and carrots—is legit Calcutta street food you don’t find around here often.
Chorchori, a lively combination of pumpkin, radish, cauliflower, eggplant, carrots, potato, green beans, and spinach, is simmered with mustard paste and garnished with crunchy lentil nuggets for textural pop.
Dosas (crispy rice crêpes) come in paper-thin plain, masala (potato-stuffed), no-butter vegan, and Mysore masala dosa (sprinkled with hot lentil “Podi Powder”), all served with traditional coconut chutney and sambar (lentil soup).
Rolls, per the restaurant’s name: paneer and vegetable rolls made with pan-fried paratha bread, and skinny rolls made with whole-wheat roti.
Malai kofta, paneer and vegetable balls in cream sauce, are like vegetarian meatballs.
Items are made (and spiced) to order, so don’t expect Curry In a Hurry-type dining. But among the lunch specials (all under $10) are a few express meals that are ready in 10 minutes. For $7.99, the Express Vegetarian Thali means butter paneer (paneer Makhani in a creamy tomato sauce), chana masala (chickpeas), and rice—what a deal! Trek over to the cooler for sauces—tamarind sauce is especially thick and delicious here—and mango lassi or sweet lassi, redolent with rose water and garnished with cardamom and pistachio. Round out your meal with bread, such as deep-fried, puffy poori, and Mishti doi, a Bengali yogurt dessert.
Calcutta Wrap & Roll
463 Ashford Ave
Ardsley
(914) 591-2222; calcuttawrapandroll.net