by Phil Rico
I have always thought the best way to try an ethnic food is to sample it in the comfort of your own home, and to do so, purchase a frozen meal. If you don't like it, you don't need to insult the chef by not finishing your serving. Paella (from Spain) and Jambalaya (from Louisianna) and Shepherds Pie (UK) are three dishes that I discovered in this way and are now personal favorites. Though pretty good in their frozen dinner form, they are frequently superb at a restaurant.
Sometimes, the frozen food introduction method can produced negative results, as was the case with my first experiences with South Asian food about fifteen years ago when I purchased a couple of frozen Indian meals that I thought would be the gateway to a new culinary experience. A few years later, I tried another frozen meal, and again, a bad experience. As well, I have never liked the flavor of the yellow powder sold in supermarkets labeled "curry". These experiences turned me off South Asian food until working with Western New York Muslims.
Honestly, I was having some reservations about eating at Kabab and Curry after unpleasant experiences with frozen Chicken Korma and Chicken Tikka dinners. Not one to give up easily, I decided to give it one last try at Kabab and Curry, which one of my colleagues raves about. I trust her judgement, so I was willing to give it one last try.
I familiarized myself with the restaurant's menu on the Internet, and then armed with a $30 Groupon, headed for my challenge, trying to clear my mind of previous "Indian / Pakastani" food encounters.
For a starter, I chose the tandoori chicken wings. These could easily be among the top five best chicken wings in Buffalo. Very meaty and cooked to perfection in a clay oven, they were outstanding. The wings were braised in a tomato and jalapeno sauce that complemented the wings, but did not disguise the delicious tandoori-oven flavor. The tandoori plate entree was adequately sized, but a little surprising to someone used to oversize-portion meals at some restaurants. It was tandoori-prepared chicken, lamb and shrimp on a bed of stir fry onions peppers and tomato with a side of white rice. For dessert, I almost sampled the award-winning Kheer, a Pakastani rice pudding, but instead chose the chocolate shake.
With regard to the level of service, it was equally outstanding. The waiter was outgoing and respectful, and service efficient. I was slightly alarmed thinking the worst when the owner began approaching my table, but it was just to thoughtfully offer this lone diner magazines to pass the time while waiting for my starter to be served. Another appreciated touch was the menu that listed gluten free, nut allergy, spice level indicators next to each menu item. It was the quality of the food that outshone even the high level of service.
Kabab and Curry also has a daily lunch buffet for $8.95, which is an outstanding value if the quality of the food is as good as my ala carte choices, and I look forward to an even broader sampling more South Asian food again very soon.
by hafsaha | Wednesday 6 March 2013 11:20am | Phil's Journey | permalink | 0 comments
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