Boston may be far better known for its clam chowder than its lamb vindaloo, but as every adventurous college student knows, Beantown's sprawling streets and close-quartered alleyways are often home to ethnically-inclined restaurants that offer unique menus to entice the exploring diner. Such is the Cafe of India, an Indian restaurant situated on Brattle Street - just a few minutes' walk from the Harvard Square T-stop.
Dinner at the Cafe of India is a multi-course adventure. Upon taking a seat, each visitor is supplied with his or her own individual mini-appetizer. Each starter is chosen by the server and the practice gives diners the chance to experiment with their taste buds and try something exotic (and presumably extravagant) at no extra cost. While the actual appetizer itself may be hit or miss, it is a nice touch that contributes to the well-crafted atmosphere and adds to the overall experience.
Bread costs extra, but the wide variety of Indian loaves available (from the more traditional naan flatbread to the light, air-filled poori loaf) makes ordering a starter basket absolutely essential. Even those familiar with Indian food may not recognize the entire bread selection listed on the menu, and the many choices offered will send the less-experienced diner into a daze as they try to decipher exactly which loaf is the one to try that night.
The wide spread of selections is not limited solely to the bread menu. All kinds of Indian dishes are available -- from lamb and beef to poultry and seafood -- and everything is cooked in a gigantic clay oven, bringing rich flavor to all the dishes. Selections vary with masala, vindaloo, and curry sauces. The vegetarian menu is fairly extensive as well and offers a wide variety of options to those diners who choose to avoid meat.
While the dinner entrees are relatively expensive for the average student budget (with most averaging between $8-15), the appetizers are fairly affordable and give diners the opportunity to experiment with more exotic selections. The aloo tikki choat, or fried potatoes mixed with vegetables in a yogurt sauce, is particularly flavorful and rich (albeit a bit messy). The indecisive may want to try the recommended daily specials or simply attend the lunchtime buffet which offers multiple choices at a fixed price.
Each entree is served with jasmine rice, with the option of bread to go along with it. The restaurant's mutter paneer (a vegetarian curry made with homemade cheese and peas) is delicious, with mild and creamy cheese and just enough spices to provide flavor without being too overpowering. Also good is the rogan josh (cubes of lamb in a yogurt sauce with various spices and fennel seeds), which proves to be just spicy enough alongside the recognizable tinges of cinnamon and garam masala (an Indian spice mixture).
Set amid sandwich shops and endless Au Bon Pain franchises, the Cafe of India offers a wide variety of choices and a fascinating opportunity to try something new. The atmosphere of the restaurant is carefully crafted to delight all the senses, not just taste. Faint Indian music adds an exotic ambiance to the meal while carvings, paintings and rich tapestries alternate on the walls. Parties seated at the booths are supplied with pillows, and the entire building smells of cedar wood, a pleasant aroma that doesn't quite overpower the spices wafting out from the kitchen.
Overall, the Cafe of India offers a unique dining opportunity, especially for those looking for an exotic night out on the town. Although the final bill might be a bit on the pricey side, the full experience, from the traditional dishes to the atmospheric music, will most definitely prove worthwhile.
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