First time at Indian restaurant

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The health dept reviews are always really crappy for indian restaurants so I stay away.

Me, too. Yuck.

Your loss !

[Anonymous]

Yeah, more like losing my lunch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many Indian places do a lunch buffet. That might be a good way to try a few things and get a feel for what you like. If that's not an option, some places offer a thali plate-which is usually rice with small servings of 4 or 5 different dishes.

Agree - lunch buffet is a great way to try lots of things. The wait staff should also be able to give you suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The health dept reviews are always really crappy for indian restaurants so I stay away.

You're missing out, but more Indian food for me!

[Anonymous]

Chicken tikka masala
Butter chicken
Chicken korma curry
Chicken biryani
Garlic naan
Chana masala (chickpea curry)
Lamb vindaloo (spicy lamb with potato curry)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The health dept reviews are always really crappy for indian restaurants so I stay away.

Really? Always? For all 14,000 Indian restaurants in the country? You sound like an asshole.

[Anonymous]

op here. Thanks !

This is for a new spot In maple lawn called ananda.

Great reviews so far!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op here. Thanks !

This is for a new spot In maple lawn called ananda.

Great reviews so far!!

Thanks for the tip, OP! Hoping they add lunch buffet soon!

[Anonymous]

Tandoori or Butter chicken
Chicken or Vegtable Briyani
Aloo Gobi
Vegtable Korma
Don't forget samosas and naan
Also if you like yogurt sweet or mango lassi to drink!

[Anonymous]

OP - ask the servers or manager for their recommendations. They won't steer you wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - ask the servers or manager for their recommendations. They won't steer you wrong.

+1
And mention your spice level tolerance. You'll get great suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many Indian places do a lunch buffet. That might be a good way to try a few things and get a feel for what you like. If that's not an option, some places offer a thali plate-which is usually rice with small servings of 4 or 5 different dishes.

Yes - the Minerva and Curry Mantra restaurants around the region are the best for this.

[Anonymous]

I suggest a thali. These are dishes with multiple small courses so you can try different things.

[Anonymous]

Chicken tikka masala is known as the national dish of Britain. It's like ordering pad thai at a Thai restaurant, spaghetti and meatballs at an Italian restaurant, or enchiladas at a Mexican restaurant—i.e. the safest, most mainstream thing you could order. If you eat meat, I would absolutely start there.

I don't eat meat myself, and Indian food is probably the best meatless cuisine globally. I think the best non-meat starter dish is Matter Paneer (homemade cheese in a creamy tomato sauce).

And, yes, you can't go wrong with samosas as an appetizer.

Indian food is very regional, so this restaurant's menu may only include some of the dishes listed in this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many Indian places do a lunch buffet. That might be a good way to try a few things and get a feel for what you like. If that's not an option, some places offer a thali plate-which is usually rice with small servings of 4 or 5 different dishes.

Yes - the Minerva and Curry Mantra restaurants around the region are the best for this.

Just FYI, Minerva in Fairfax has had a name change. Bollywood something, I think.