While driving home from this afternoon's adventures we watched out the window for a dinner spot that looked appealing. I was sold the second I saw this sign; Indian is my favorite ethnic cuisine!
The interior of the restaurant was a cross between your typical Indian restaurant and a casual American bar. It was clear that the restaurant wasn't originally Indian, but they did a good job of creating an Eastern ambiance.
To start, we were brought papadums with pickled peppers, sweet mango chutney and mint yogurt sauce.
I had a fair share dipped into the peppers and chutney. My parents tried the yogurt and said it had quite an unexpected kick!
As an appetizer, my dad ordered onion bhajji for the table: onions, dipped in a chickpea batter and fried to a golden brown.
They looked like calamari but tasted like doughier onion rings. As in, they were dangerously delicious and addictive :)
For my entree, I ordered my favorite: baigan bhartha. A puree of smoked eggplant cooked with onions, tomatoes and peas.
When the waitress asked what level of spice I wanted, I requested a level 3 on a scale of four. All I can say is that four might have burned my tongue off- I can handle serious spice, but this was on fire! Taste-wise, it was decent but not the best I've had.
I also had some of my dad's okra-do-piaza: fresh okra, cooked onions and tomatoes tempered with tumeric, cumin and crushed coriander.
We all agreed that this was the standout dish- mild but flavorful and fresh. Between the okra and the fried onions, my dad did well tonight!
On the side, we split an order of warm, doughy roti.
While my parents spit an ice cream dessert, I just sipped some lemon tea.
I was planning on having some chocolate when I got back, but my stomach feels a little off. Fingers crossed this stomach of steel wards off any more discomfort.
Goodnight everyone!
Do you like spicy food? On a scale of 1-4, how high is your heat tolerance? I'm probably a 3, while my brother is a 4. I've read that spice is an acquired taste though, so anyone can learn to love some heat!
