Iris T.
Yelp
I wanted to try out other vegetarian Indian restaurants in Houston and Chowpatty was next! Came at around 1:15 pm on a Saturday with a party of 6. The parking lot was packed but the good news was that there were constantly people going out to their cars. There's only the question of if they would actually leave and if there was already someone waiting for the spot.
When we walked in, the decor was something I wasn't used to at an Indian place - it was definitely Bollywood themed with "hip" black and white chairs. There was another table of 6 already seated; it seemed like a group of Indian people taking out their non-Indian friends. We headed to the counter and took a look at the menu. It was quite extensive and even though I had done some basic research, I had my questions. We were vegetarian, but we essentially ate Jain (no onion/garlic) vegetarian, so it required asking what we could have. Jain-friendly items are not marked on the menu - not to mention there are no English translations or pictures.
There are some items that can accommodate Jains. She asked if we were interested in snacks or lunch. I was interested in food in general but asked the people I were with. They had their eyes on the thali meal set. They offer two but we could have the Gujarati thali. My non-Jain, omnivorous friend (the odd one out, haha) got the Punjabi one. I got the thali meal and also got the gobi (cauliflower) paratha to go. Good thing I didn't further question about the snacks as there was a decent line forming behind us by then and the Indian girl behind us who had rolled her eyes at one point (she ended up ordering a snack that took 5 minutes to get to her) might have done something more audible at the wait.
You get a ticket with a number and find your seat. You grab your own napkins and silverware off to the side. They'll call out your number when it's ready. The thali took a bit of time, but it didn't seem too long as we were talking to pass the time. Once it was ready, you get enough food for two. It comes with buttermilk, a basket of fried puffy bread, and your assortment of curries, rice, cilantro chutney, a spicy pickle side, and two yellow bread squares (I don't know what it's called but I've had it before and these are my favorite thus far) along with a dessert. The Punjabi thali comes with a different set of curries, flat bread, a sweet lassi drink, and gulab jamun for dessert.
It was quite good. As a note, they have complimentary sambar soup which is Jain friendly and quite good and not too spicy. Sad that my set didn't have malai kofta (still waiting for a place that serves Jain malai kofta) but what I did get, I liked. I even liked my slightly salted buttermilk (or is it lassi?) and finished my sister's as well). I finished half and got a to go box for the rest. I was automatically given my to-go order when I went to the counter to ask for the box. The paratha was huge and consumed later. It was well spiced and came with yogurt and an Indian spicy pickle of sorts that was rather salty but tasted decent when eaten sandwiched between the paratha and yogurt. I couldn't tell it was cauliflower, but then again, cauliflower isn't strong in taste.
The place was clean, the employee was fairly helpful, and the restroom was pretty clean, but note it is just a room. If there's someone already in there, you get to wait outside. I'd love to return again - this time for the chat (snacks). Food was reasonably priced for what you get and they were good. Our dishes were cleared once it was clear we had finished but we're just talking.
By the time we left, most all of the tables had filled up. Looks like the place gets good business!