S. caught a peek inside 133 Duane, the Hope Building and the site of the omakase Indian restaurant out of Houston — Musaafer.

And I got confirmation from the folks at Musaafer that yes, they are opening soon (but nothing more than that).

The chef is Mayank Istwal; the restaurant opened in 2020 has one star from Michelin and this review:

Dinner in a shopping mall doesn’t sound promising, unless you’re headed to Musaafer. The sheer scale of this grand hall, with its arches, towering windows, labyrinth-like layout, and elaborate patterns, feels like a palace of its own. The setting is as thrilling as the cooking. A large, deep-fried orb of onion xuixo arrives dusted in no fewer than 24 spices, filled with potato and onion, and served with tamarind and mint chutney. Plucky prawns are cooked in an elegant sauce of coriander, coconut milk, and curry leaves. Dal, a familiar favorite, is cooked for 72 hours with tomato, butter, and smoked chili. The attention to detail and careful spicing is evident at every turn, and the final result is one of both high style and utterly gratifying substance.

Musaafer NYC was originally scheduled for early 2023 — they had their liquor license by summer 2023 — and its owners, Mithu and Shammi Malik, were at the opening of the building in 2022. They are in a partnership with The Spice Route Co., a restaurant group out of Dubai; the name means “traveler,” and part of their concept is featuring dishes from each of the 29 states of India.

“This promises to be opulent and highlight the art and architecture of India,” said Mithu Malik. The menu will be Indian omakase — a new one for the city, as far as I know — and there will be a basement bar. (Musaafer is known also for its cocktails.) “We hope to take New York by storm,” she added. “There’s no place like New York and there’s no concept like Musaafer.”

More of a peek, I hope, soon.