Susan S. wrote: > Does anyone know of any restaurants within driving distance (I am not that > picky about distance as long as it is vaguely on this coast and above the > Mason-Dixon line) that serve chat (sort of like Indian tapas or dim sum)? > -- > ([email removed]) Now this is a topic that is really close to my heart (read stomach). I can give you some great references for places in London, but you did say vaguely on this coast. I have heard there are some places in Edison NJ, though I do not have specific names, as I have not been there since I heard about them (I could find out though, if there is interest). I think there are some places in NYC also. In Boston, India Palace in Union square has one dish- I think it is Samosa Bhel - it struck me as so so. India Cafe in Harvard Square has a nice Aloo Papri Chaat, though last time the papri were chewy rather than crisp, this kind of ruined the dish. I am pretty sure that Akbar (sort of inman square) has a chaat dish on the menu. Kwality in Kenmore square has a couple of choices that are decent (at least they did a year or so ago). I am sure that other readers will chime in with specifics for other places. Meanwhile, I find that it is pretty easy to get ingredients to make your own from the little place (name escapes me now) in Central square, north side of Mass. Ave. , just behind the little police kiosk. They have prepared Bhel mix, bags of Bhel poori, Chaat spice, and in the back cooler prepared tamarind sauce and onion chutney, fresh mint and fresh corriander. Cook up some Channa (chick peas) and some potatoes, mix in some yogurt, maybe squeeze some fresh lime juice and you pretty much have it. You might also want to experiment with added cucumber as well as fruit chaat (apples, asian pears , cucumber, even banana). My wife, eccentric that she is even likes to mix the fruit and potato versions. Finally, Udipi Bhavan in Ashland (next to Framingham) MA has truly excellent south indian food, it can go a long way towards abating my chaat cravings, even if it is not the same thing. I have not had this quality of South Indian food since... well it is hard to remember when. Mark K. Mondol [email removed]
Boston, MA