Swagat is a small and cozy Indian restaurant on the Upper West Side, a good spot to dine before heading to the Delacorte to see “As You Like it,” one of this year’s two productions of Shakespeare in the Park as it’s about a half-mile walk to the theatre.  Swagat, a Hindu word meaning “welcome,” is a sister to Madam Ji, another Indian place I’ve enjoyed.

Their aloo papri chat ($12) — a traditional Indian street snack — contained crunchy flour crispies with potatoes, chickpeas and flour straws with mint, tamarind and tamarind sauces. Their crispy cauliflower (lasuni gobi $10) comes tossed in a tangy garlic and tomato sauce. Don’t miss either!

Both sauces were so delicious that we asked our server to bring the pesharei naan before removing our empty platters, as we wanted to sop up every drop of their sauces! That bread came stuffed with almonds, cashews, raisins and cranberries that turned the naan’s inside red.

We followed that with Dal Swagat ($16), black lentil and kidney bean curry, and the Bharta Bahar ($18), tandoor roasted eggplant with tomatoes and spices. Each was fine, yet we had filled ourselves with the apps.

I’d return just for their chat and gobi, specifically the aloo papri chaat ($12) and their lasuni gobi ($10).  Yes, that delicious.

Off we went to the Delacorte Theater, where all the world was a stage at the wonderful musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy “As You Like It.”

Swagat
Upper West Side
411A Amsterdam Avenue
NY, NY 10024
(212) 362-1400
Swagatny.com