The Royal Munkey, New York

The history of British colonialism in India spurred a century of struggle and tension, but it also saw the birth of a truly unique fusion of cultures. But the two lasting legacies from the period, at least as far as The West is concerned, are culinary and imaginary. The Royal Munkey embodies both with a menu of Indian classics and a dining room that looks like the set design of Rudyard Kipling's dreams. Diners sip craft cocktails surrounded by ornate Art Nouveau wallpaper and statuettes of monkeys dressed up as lawn jockeys.

As for the cuisine, the self-styled Old Bombay supper club serves up revived British-Indian classics. These dishes—a result of the mingling of British, French, and Portuguese influences—include goan pork vindalu served in a spicy chili vinegar tomato sauce, and railway chicken curry stewed in mustard seeds and curry leaves. The team also whips up plenty of traditional Indian meals, such as saag paneer, lamb shank rogan josh, and Punjabi tandoori chicken.