My Favorite Indian Restaurant in San Francisco

December 7th, 2009
I’ve tried many places in SF, and while I do love Naan N Curry, Dosa on Valencia is my absolute favorite indian restaurant in the area.
Ambiance/Atmosphere
They have great lighting, tasteful wall decor and the seats feel cozy to me. It’s a great place to go on a date, and they usually do pretty well at allowing couples to have privacy while still being attentive.
Appetizers
I like to order he paneer roti wrap along with the chickpea soup for a good combo of starch and soup. Other recommendations include the Chennai Chicken and lentil dumplings.
Main Dishes
One of my favorites is the 5 Indian Moons, which is the chef’s choice of 5 uttamapams, accompanied with chutney and sambar. It’s like being taken on a journey to 5 wonderful islands, each one with a new amazing taste sensation. The Spicy Ming Masal Dosa is also very impressive – the spice is powerful, but not overdone so I could still taste the subtle flavors while simultaneously enjoying the heat as well.
The Paneer and Peas Dosa comes in 3 big rolls along with the sambar, which is definitely needed. It’s very rich and creamy, and combined with the sambar, tastes great. If you’re looking for another spicy dosa, try out the habanero mango dosa which has a great combination of sweet and spicy – with emphasis on the spicy. The coconut and lemon rice was absolutely out of this world. The way the lemon butter combines with the slight sweetness of coconut and melts on your tongue as you chew is completely unforgettable.
Desserts
While I come primarily for the main courses, the desserts don’t disappoint either. I recommend the little donut balls in syrup which were nice and crunchy with a sweet finish, and also the rice pudding in rose water, which is a less in your face flavor, but still soothingly satisfying.
Overall
While some might say this place is overpriced, if you’re not desperately hungry and you’re looking for a place with a nice ambiance, I think you can’t go wrong with Dosa on Valencia. I’ve heard some people complain that dosa’s are simply ‘breakfast food’ and that people are paying a premium for essentially ‘toast and eggs.’ I understand that sentiment, but it sounds like you’re looking for another genre of restaurant. For me, the whole package deal is worth it, and from the South Indians I’ve talked to, this place is definitely legitimately delicious.

I’ve tried many places in SF, and while I do love Naan N Curry, Dosa on Valencia is my absolute favorite indian restaurant in the area.

Ambiance/Atmosphere

They have great lighting, tasteful wall decor and the seats feel cozy to me. It’s a great place to go on a date, and they usually do pretty well at allowing couples to have privacy while still being attentive.

Appetizers

I like to order he paneer roti wrap along with the chickpea soup for a good combo of starch and soup. Other recommendations include the Chennai Chicken and lentil dumplings.

Main Dishes

One of my favorites is the 5 Indian Moons, which is the chef’s choice of 5 uttamapams, accompanied with chutney and sambar. It’s like being taken on a journey to 5 wonderful islands, each one with a new amazing taste sensation. The Spicy Ming Masal Dosa is also very impressive – the spice is powerful, but not overdone so I could still taste the subtle flavors while simultaneously enjoying the heat as well.

The Paneer and Peas Dosa comes in 3 big rolls along with the sambar, which is definitely needed. It’s very rich and creamy, and combined with the sambar, tastes great. If you’re looking for another spicy dosa, try out the habanero mango dosa which has a great combination of sweet and spicy – with emphasis on the spicy. The coconut and lemon rice was absolutely out of this world. The way the lemon butter combines with the slight sweetness of coconut and melts on your tongue as you chew is completely unforgettable.

Desserts

While I come primarily for the main courses, the desserts don’t disappoint either. I recommend the little donut balls in syrup which were nice and crunchy with a sweet finish, and also the rice pudding in rose water, which is a less in your face flavor, but still soothingly satisfying.

Overall

While some might say this place is overpriced, if you’re not desperately hungry and you’re looking for a place with a nice ambiance, I think you can’t go wrong with Dosa on Valencia. I’ve heard some people complain that dosa’s are simply ‘breakfast food’ and that people are paying a premium for essentially ‘toast and eggs.’ I understand that sentiment, but it sounds like you’re looking for another genre of restaurant. For me, the whole package deal is worth it, and from the South Indians I’ve talked to, this place is definitely legitimately delicious.

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Top 3 Best Indian Restaurants in New York City

December 7th, 2009
The Kati Roll Company
This restaurant definitely fulfills a particular niche. It’s not about sit down gourmet dining in a fancy atmosphere. This is about delicious food and lots of people, especially at night. The place has about three or four tables,  and there’s usually a line. However, as with many popular places in New York City – it’s worth the wait. It can be especially crowded on Friday and Saturday nights as it is a great place for “drunk food” as they even have a bouncer at the place late at night, which is probably a good idea.
As for the food, you can expect the basic kati rolls: egg, paneer (cheese), aloo (potatoes), chicken, beef, mutton, and more. You can definitely combine any two of the aforementioned ingredients for a combo roll as well. What’s great is that the rolls are served fresh and with authentic Indian spices. Some of my favorites are the Unda (egg) Chicken and the Shami Kabab (minced mutton) rolls.
Brick Lane Curry House
One great thing about Brick Lane Curry House is that instead of just gesturing towards the buffet line, the waiter will explain each of the items and also let you know what they will be bringing to the table. They bring Tandoori Chicken, rice and naan straight to you, which is nice.
As for the different items in the buffet line, the tomato soup is really good and spicy. The fried cauliflower is made from florets of cauliflower lightly breaded, fried and then covered with a sweet and spicy sauce. Another favorite is the malai kofta. It consists of a nutty, creamy sauce with a dab of tomatoes and then balls of savory vegetables inside.  This place makes some of the best malai kofta I’ve ever had.
Other favorites include:
- Chicken Butter Masala
- Chana Masala
- Aloo Matar
- Pakora eggplant
- Tandoori chicken
- Chicken Biryani
- Saag Paneer
- Fish Curry
Tamarind
Tamarind is definitelly more of an upscale and expensive place, but in my opinion, it’s definitely worth it. It has a nice atmosphere and ambiance, good for private dinners or for entertaining business guests.
To start with, I also recommend the fried cauliflower appetizer here. They also have Raji’s Scallops which are grilled in a coconut mint sauce (heavenly!). I usually get a few orders of the garlic naan as well.
For main dishes, you can’t go wrong with Lamb Vindaloo which is just lamb in this spicy and tangy sauce. There’s also the Tulsi Malai Kabab which consists of spiced boneless chicken with basil and a medley of other wonderful spices. Other suggestions include: Dum Aloo Ghobi, Tamarind Basmati, and the Lobster Masala.
Once again, the place is great for taking out friends or a special someone. The hostesses and waiters were friendly and attentive, and I highly recommend this place.While

Here are my three favorite places to eat Indian Food in NYC, they’re all a little bit different, and so depending on what I’m looking for, I’ll go to a different one of these places.

The Kati Roll Company

This restaurant definitely fulfills a particular niche. It’s not about sit down gourmet dining in a fancy atmosphere. This is about delicious food and lots of people, especially at night. The place has about three or four tables,  and there’s usually a line. However, as with many popular places in New York City – it’s worth the wait. It can be especially crowded on Friday and Saturday nights as it is a great place for “drunk food” as they even have a bouncer at the place late at night, which is probably a good idea.

As for the food, you can expect the basic kati rolls: egg, paneer (cheese), aloo (potatoes), chicken, beef, mutton, and more. You can definitely combine any two of the aforementioned ingredients for a combo roll as well. What’s great is that the rolls are served fresh and with authentic Indian spices. Some of my favorites are the Unda (egg) Chicken and the Shami Kabab (minced mutton) rolls.

Brick Lane Curry House

One great thing about Brick Lane Curry House is that instead of just gesturing towards the buffet line, the waiter will explain each of the items and also let you know what they will be bringing to the table. They bring Tandoori Chicken, rice and naan straight to you, which is nice.

As for the different items in the buffet line, the tomato soup is really good and spicy. The fried cauliflower is made from florets of cauliflower lightly breaded, fried and then covered with a sweet and spicy sauce. Another favorite is the malai kofta. It consists of a nutty, creamy sauce with a dab of tomatoes and then balls of savory vegetables inside.  This place makes some of the best malai kofta I’ve ever had.

Other favorites include:  Chicken Butter Masala, Chana Masala, Aloo Matar, Pakora eggplant, Tandoori chicken, Chicken Biryani, Saag Paneer, and the Fish Curry

Tamarind

Tamarind is definitely more of an upscale and expensive place, but in my opinion, it’s definitely worth it. It has a nice atmosphere and ambiance, good for private dinners or for entertaining business guests.

To start with, I also recommend the fried cauliflower appetizer here. They also have Raji’s Scallops which are grilled in a coconut mint sauce (heavenly!). I usually get a few orders of the garlic naan as well.

For main dishes, you can’t go wrong with Lamb Vindaloo which is just lamb in this spicy and tangy sauce. There’s also the Tulsi Malai Kabab which consists of spiced boneless chicken with basil and a medley of other wonderful spices. Other suggestions include: Dum Aloo Ghobi, Tamarind Basmati, and the Lobster Masala.

Once again, the place is great for taking out friends or a special someone. The hostesses and waiters were friendly and attentive, and I highly recommend this place.

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Food You’ll Find at an Indian Buffet Restaurant

December 6th, 2009
Indian Food is a wonderful thing. And if you are hungry, many times a buffet can be worth it. Depending on the restaurant you go to, you may get different results. Once you find a good one in your area for a good price, you are in luck. Here are some different types of food that you usually find at a Indian buffet restaurant.
Pakora
This fried appetizer is usually by taking a few ingredients such as onion, eggplant, potato or chicken, and then dipping them in a batter of flour before deep frying them. They come out very crunchy. Some other types of pakora include spinach, which is palak pakora or paneer pakora which is made from a soft cheese.rnative to chips or kebabs.
Samosa
Another popular appetizer, Samosa are a savory treat usually filled with vegetables (though sometimes they have meat). I personally prefer samosas to pakora since they are crunchy on the outside (when done right) and get soft and warm on the inside. They typically look like a triangular shape and are filled with spiced potatoes, peas, lentils, coriander and onions wrapped up in a pastry shell. Samosas are usually fried or baked in order to create a crunchy exterior and are served with chutney.
Fresh Naan
A thick flatbread, somewhat resembling of a pita, naan is very popular and can be eaten with almost any kind of Indian dish. It is most often leavened with yeast, though some varieties are unleavened. To cook naan, you put it inside of a tandoor (clay oven). Once baked, naan is served hot and brushed with butter. Some restaurants offer a variety of naan, including spinach, garlic, potato and more.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Probably the most popular dish in Indian buffet restaurants in the U.S., Chicken Tikka Masala consists of chunks of chicken that have been marinated in yogurt and various spices. Then, you take the chicken and bake it in a tandoor oven. After that, you mix it into a masala sauce which usually includes tomato puree and cream. The sauce and chicken are orange, having either been dyed or colored by turmeric or paprika.
Saag Paneer
A Mustard leaf and spinach based curry dish, saag is a popular dish typical eaten with roti, naan or rice. When combined with the soft cheese paneer, you get saag paneer. Sometimes this is also made by substituting the paneer for tofu, which then allows for it to be eaten by lactose intolerant people.

Indian Food is a wonderful thing. And if you are hungry, many times a buffet can be worth it. Depending on the restaurant you go to, you may get different results. Once you find a good one in your area for a good price, you are in luck. Here are some different types of food that you usually find at a Indian buffet restaurant.

Pakora

This fried appetizer is usually by taking a few ingredients such as onion, eggplant, potato or chicken, and then dipping them in a batter of flour before deep frying them. They come out very crunchy. Some other types of pakora include spinach, which is palak pakora or paneer pakora which is made from a soft cheese.rnative to chips or kebabs.

Samosa

Another popular appetizer, Samosa are a savory treat usually filled with vegetables (though sometimes they have meat). I personally prefer samosas to pakora since they are crunchy on the outside (when done right) and get soft and warm on the inside. They typically look like a triangular shape and are filled with spiced potatoes, peas, lentils, coriander and onions wrapped up in a pastry shell. Samosas are usually fried or baked in order to create a crunchy exterior and are served with chutney.

Fresh Naan

A thick flatbread, somewhat resembling of a pita, naan is very popular and can be eaten with almost any kind of Indian dish. It is most often leavened with yeast, though some varieties are unleavened. To cook naan, you put it inside of a tandoor (clay oven). Once baked, naan is served hot and brushed with butter. Some restaurants offer a variety of naan, including spinach, garlic, potato and more.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Probably the most popular dish in Indian buffet restaurants in the U.S., Chicken Tikka Masala consists of chunks of chicken that have been marinated in yogurt and various spices. Then, you take the chicken and bake it in a tandoor oven. After that, you mix it into a masala sauce which usually includes tomato puree and cream. The sauce and chicken are orange, having either been dyed or colored by turmeric or paprika.

Saag Paneer

A Mustard leaf and spinach based curry dish, saag is a popular dish typical eaten with roti, naan or rice. When combined with the soft cheese paneer, you get saag paneer. Sometimes this is also made by substituting the paneer for tofu, which then allows for it to be eaten by lactose intolerant people.

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