Katharine M.
Yelp
This is probably my favorite South Indian restaurant ever anywhere, except for their Chicago location on Devon Street, which is also my favorite.
I came here on a Saturday afternoon, after placing an order for pick up on Yelp EAT24.
I placed an order at 3 pm, which is an off time, but it's still cool that it was ready for pick up at 3:30.
I ordered a batch of floating idli, which, for starters, is just fun to say. Also, it was delicious!!! It is difficult to describe iddli, so I'll do my best. It's like a spongy rice cushion that you can use to soak up the lentil soup and coconut chutney that comes with it. The only other place I've had it besides Udupi palace is in India, and so, if you want to try this exquisite vegetarian delicacy, well, come here, or...fly to Mysore or Trivanthepuram because that's your other option.
Also had a butter masala dosa. The dosa was really fresh and soft with crispy edges, and just, like, perfect. If you don't know already, a Dosa is like a savory Indian crepe stuffed with a spicy potato filling. Add the butter modifier and you get...ummm, can you say "South Indian fast food" before finishing this dish? It's THAT good. The dosa was a decent size, and they didn't skimp on the potato and onion filling.
The vegetable samosa were nicely done, deep fried, but not greasy, and the cilantro chutney was holy cow, unbelievably flavorful. The tamarind chutney was a bit on the sweet side for my tastes, but still good.
Eggplant baingan bharta, which you can get in North Indian restaurants, was also delicious. Here it's so much better though... Less tomatoe-y, creamier, had a sprinkling of peas added, a nice touch. Finally, we topped it off with a vegetable utthapum, which is like a sweet and savory Indian pancake with vegetables cooked into it.
This is a place to go and celebrate, or take out to celebrate at home, or go to for a lunch buffet. Heck, just go. The flavors are unbelievable. Yes, like nothing you've had before, if you haven't been to South India.