would anyone know where to locate some Dhansak (sp?) in Houston? Similar to the stuff that they make in London.
I think its around where Baqui stated. Bissonet and Kirkwood, but i'll ask and post exactly where it is. If you go, you have to get the Karahi Chicken or Meat. Its what its known for. Also their 'royal' tea is sweet and awesome.
Cool. I am always up for trying new places, and I rarely get out to that part of town. What is Karahi Chicken or meat? I've never heard of it. How is it prepared?
Madras Pavillion is very unique. They do not carry the standard Indian fare (as defined by Americans). As I understand it, they are a vegetarian, South Indian restaurant. The food is excellent. They are my first choice for Indian food. For standard Indian fare, I like Bombay Palace. Vey solid. They are my second choice. Tried Shivas once and was nonplussed. Tried Indika once. Pricey, small portion, but a bit different. Tried Kyber once. It was not Indian food. Maybe it was Persian??? Heavy on the grilled meat, light on the sauce. My Indian friends at work won't go back to Ashiana. They say it is excellent but way too pricey. Does anyone know of a Indian restaurant in town that serves gobi paratha (cauliflower stuffed paratha)? I used to get it all the time in Central Square Cambridge MA.
Royal Restaurant - 11919 Bissonnet like FDKhan said, you should get the Karahi Chicken or Beef...other good dishes are the Chicken Tikka, Seekh Kabob, and Vegetable Pulao...and don't forget the Nan
This is true...You shouldn't walk in expecting a fine dining experience, but you're definitely getting a good value. The place is incredibly cheap. My mom actually prefers their food to many Indian restaurants in Houston. I prefer Pavani to Madras(Pavillion I assume)...IMO, Pavani is better overall. Pretty much everything you order there is good...Dosas, Idli, Meat, Vegetables. I'm no connoisseur(If you really want to know, the best food is found in my mom's kitchen, second best in my grandmothers, third best in my aunt's...), I just like that Paavani's food tastes more like food that I am used to eating. If I remember correctly(When your mom only eats Indian food, you go to many restaurants, and start to mix them up...), Pavillion's meat wasn't very good. The tandoori paste was put on so excessively, it was practically dripping off of the meat. The service at Madras is probably quite superior to Pavani's, though. Pavani's owner is often serving the food, and he is excellent, but he is by far the best waiter there. The waiters/waitresses just seem aloof sometimes. Not bad enough to not go to the restaurant though... And...the meat factor?
I've had this at some other indian/pakistani restaurants, but no karahi chicken tastes as good as Royal's does...here is the recipe (not Royal's recipe)...if i recall correctly, it is listed as "Kadhai Chicken" on Royal's menu link Karahi Chicken Ingredients: ½ cup Oil Salt to taste 5 Spring Onions 750 gm Chicken ¼ tsp Chilli powder 5 Tomatoes, chopped 2 tbsp Ginger, chopped 5 Green Chilli, chopped Coriander leaves, chopped 4 flakes of Garlic, chopped A pinch of Turmeric powder Method: 1. Heat the oil and add garlic, ginger, salt, chilli powder and turmeric powder. Fry for a few minutes over medium heat. 2. Add chicken pieces and fry until golden brown on all sides and cook until tender. 3. Water should evaporate and if you see the substance now oily, add green onions, coriander leaves, green chillies, and tomatoes. 4. Cook for another five minutes in covered pot and serve. looks like this:
Its pronounced Ka-raay, and that is actually the name of the pot in which it is cooked in. I prefer the beef. It comes in these pans similar to a wok, and it very GREASY and is amazing with the yogurt and naan. Damn! I'm getting Hungry for some of that!
Hmm...Well I guess that is somewhat true, but you should be able to find meat dishes at pretty much any Indian restaurant you go to, northern or southern. I suppose you're right, one would find a greater variety of meat dishes at a north-Indian restaurant. No problem.
That reminds me of a time at Savoy (back when it wasn't as filthy as it is now) when a couple of older white women came there and ordered the "Kar-chi" gosht and the "Kar-chi" chicken.
Good info by everyone so far. I am India like some others on here so let me add my two cents: First: DO NOT EVER GO TO ROYAL RESTAURANT! IT IS THE NASTIEST **** IN THE WORLD! VOMIT TASTES BETTER THEN THE CRAP THEY SERVE OVER THERE!!!!!! DONT DO IT!!!! Now to the good restaurants: Taj Mahal on I45 by Park Place - Order Chicken Tikka or Shrimp Tikka. Chicken and Beef Biryani is excellent as well. Chicken Tikka Masala with Naan or Riceis probably the most famous thing. Not too expensive. About 8-12 per entree. I highly recomment this place. Don't go for the buffet though. It sucks. Cusine of India in Clear Lake. Same exact type of place as Taj Mahal. Food is a little better, and the prices are slightly higher. Definitely get the sweet Lassi over here. Best drink I have ever had in my life. Buffet kicks ass! Mughal in Clear Lake - I think its a little overrated, but the food is still excellent. Waiters and the owners are a bunch of rude ass clowns. Bombay Palace - My favorite high end Indian restaurant in town. The Prawn Tikkas (appetizer) is one of the best dished bar none. Chicken Tikka Masala, Biryani, etc. Basically you can't go wrong with any dish here. Bombay Brassire - Same thing as Bombay Palace, except cheaper and the food is not as good. All these restaurants are Indian food, but not ghetto Indian food. Ghetto Indian restaurants Sheik Chilli on Hillcroft or Harwin - Its really a Pakistani restaurant, but is there reallya difference? The Nihari over here is world famous. Try it out with some naan and you will love it! The haleem is awesome as well! Savoy on Wilcrest - Probably the most famous Indo/Pak restaurant for Indo/Pak people. Chicke tikka, Bihari Kabobs, Daal, Nihari and their various other curries are to die for. This is the type of food you get on the streets of India and Pakistan. Very spicy for some people. Relatively cheap. Maybe 4-8 dollars per entree. Royal is a cheap ass nasty hoe of a knockoff of this place. So try out Bombay Palace for really high end. Cuisine of India for a moderately priced place. Savoy for the true ghetto Indian stuff. DID I MENTION DONT TRY ROYAL! IT SUCKS DONKEY BALLS! DONT DO IT!
I went to Savoy for the first time in a year a few weeks back, and I was disgusted. It was much filthier than before, and the food wasn't as good as I remember it.
Hey now, I never claimed Savoy was a front runner for any Marvin Zindler awards (for cleanliness). But the food is still as good as ever.
Pavani Madras Cuisine, (713) 272-8259, 7320 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074 59S and Beltway8.. smack dab between the fairly new (and quite large) honda dealership and the various other car dealerships (dodge, lexus, momentum, etc).. the location used to be the home of a steak&ale, but alas no more.. if u're looking for south indian food, this is THE place.. they also have a kids menu with 'american' items like mac&cheese, and a couple others.. not to mention the amazing buffet..
