When my friend asked if I wanted to go to an African restaurant with her, I said “why not?” I love to try foods beyond routine American cuisine and truly get a taste of other cultures. To our disappointment, the restaurant I’d dreamt about visiting throughout much of my workday was closed for the day. As a plan B, my friend suggested India Palace on Lafayette Road.
I’ve had Indian food, from a food truck around town, so I wanted to compare a fine Indian restaurant to my previous experiences. I learned India Palace was one of two such family-owned restaurants in the city, the other being Shalimar in Broad Ripple.
As the first guests in the restaurant for dinner, we claimed a seat at the front. The tables were draped in cloth and set with fine china. Our waiter immediately brought out homemade chips and various salsas for us to try.
I was slightly intimidated by the menu as the dishes were named from the Indian culture, which was unfamiliar to me. Thankfully, my friend was and she’d visited the place several times, even for their lunch buffet.
She recommended Chicken Vindaloo, a dish of chicken cooked in hot and spicy sauce with potatoes.
That sounded good, and I knew I wanted to try something I’d enjoy. The menu included chicken, lamb, seafood and vegetable dishes. One of the Chef’s Specials, the Chicken Bhuna, consisted of chicken cooked with onions, green peppers and spices. The Chicken Makhani was boneless tandoori chicken cooked in tomato and butter sauce with crushed cashews.
India Palace also offers several Indian desserts such as Kheer (rice pudding), a famous Indian dessert made from milk and basmati rice, flavored with nuts, raisins, and cardamon seeds, also Mango Pudding with chunks of fruit.
I decided on the Shrimp Vindaloo, shrimp cooked in hot and spicy sauce with potatoes. This dish was simple, but still with an Indian twist.
My friend ordered Tandoori Fish, baked in a clay oven with swordfish marinated in yogurt with spices and grilled in a Tandoor oven.
When our meals arrived, they looked very similar at first glance, but with different protein. White basmati rice, a traditional Indian recipe, was also served. In addition we ordered Garlic Naan, one of the 10 breads listed on the menu. I learned Naan is a plain unleavened bread made in a Tandoor, (very tasty with garlic, might I add!)
My shrimp, smothered in a sweet sauce with a hint of heat, paired well with the rice and bread. While I didn’t use all of the sauce, I did consume all of the shrimp, potatoes, rice and bread. My friend said she also enjoyed the fish dish.
Besides eating something out of the ordinary, I’d add that I did learn a few things about Indian culture while dining. India Palace seemed like a place to welcome all diners, whether you are celebrating a holiday, anniversary or simply enjoying lunch.
I challenge all my readers to step outside of your comfort zone this week and try a dish outside of the ordinary; you just may learn something new.
