Due to Usdan’s recent lackluster culinary performance at brunch, Ellie and I decided to make it our personal mission to skip the ritual morning-after food-fest of cheesy eggs, home fries, and waffles in favor of something a bit more exotic. As gluttonous as the Usdan brunch service, Tandoor’s $8.95 lunch buffet offers a wide selection of authentic Indian cuisine that caters to vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. This past Saturday, Ellie and I made the trek to Main Street and spent a lovely two and a half hours sitting in the quiet, spice-filled ambiance of the Tandoor restaurant. We sampled every curry, paneer, and korma as we faithfully took upon the all-you-can-eat challenge.
For the first wave of food, Ellie and I opted for appetizers: Paneer Pakora, samosas, and a heaping plate of garlic naan. Far superior to pancakes, the samosa was spicy yet savory, and absolutely mouth-watering when dipped in red tamarind sauce. Next came the bed of basmati rice covered with every color of the Indian-food rainbow. The Vegetable Korma boasted a light, creamy flavor, with an array of carrots, broccoli, and other vegetables mixed perfectly into the dish. This dish will send vegetarians and vegetable enthusiasts to the brink of nirvana. The vegetables are simmered so that all their richest flavors are drawn out. They are also further complimented by the myriad of exotic spices in the dish.
Second to the Vegetable Korma is the Dal Fry. Consisting primarily of yellow lentils, this dish, served steaming hot over a bed of rice, was heavenly. The lentils were cooked to a perfectly soft texture with a combination of garlic and herbs. Best of all, when the sauce of the Vegetable Korma commingled with the Dal Fry, one of the greatest vegetarian sauce creations was born. Because this was an all-you-can-eat buffet, Ellie and I were free to pile our plates high with anything and everything that seemed appealing.
On top of Tandoor’s vegetarian delicacies, the selection of meat dishes at the lunch buffet was exquisite. Chicken is the primary meat option, but the lamb korma is fabulous. Ellie chose to try three different chicken dishes: Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Curry, and Chicken Tikka Masala. All were equally delicious; I particularly enjoyed the Tandoori Chicken dipped in the sauce from the Chicken Tikka Masala dish. For those unfamiliar with Indian cuisine, Tandoori Chicken is just spiced chicken parts baked in a tandoor oven, so it is fairly light, but rich in flavor.
If you are still hungry after gorging yourself on a meal that is sure to keep you sated for the remainder of the weekend, try sampling some of the desserts. Gulab Jamun, which are deep fried milk balls soaked in honey or syrup, are a must, as is the Kheer, or rice pudding. Kheer is a perfect palette cleanser after a hearty, multiple-plate meal at this wonderful gourmand’s paradise.
In short, Rachel and I strongly recommend the lunch buffet at Tandoor. Whether you choose to make this an alternative to brunch, or a nice weekday lunch, you will never go wrong with this very eclectic buffet.
Peace, Love and Indian Food!
The Freshmen Foodies