Where: 905 State St., .564-8280, thetajcafe.com.
What: Stopping State Street shoppers in their tracks, the Taj Cafe serves authentic and freshly prepared Indian cuisine daily from lunch through dinner.
How Much: Chicken Tikka Masala, $10.95; Chicken Bombay Frankie, $8.95; All-You-Can-Eat Lunch Buffet, $8.95.
The dish: An intoxicatingly familiar cloud of simmering and steaming Indian spices and curries lures guests off of State Street into the Taj Cafe’s serene yet exotic dining room. Artificial colorings and preservatives make no appearances in the kitchen, where only authentic Village Indian cuisine is prepared. Intriguing recipes that focus on Northern India include burrito-sized Bombay Frankies. This typical street food in Bombay is transformed into a pillowy translucent egg wrap stuffed with chunks of juicy chicken or tender lamb. Samosas, fried pakoras, curries, and chutneys are available in various preparations to accompany soft Tandoor oven baked Naan bread as well as a large selection of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian entrees. The all-you-can-eat lunch buffet is one of the best deals in town if your appetite for rich variety and spice is looking to be filled.
This week at independent.com, T is also for: Trattoria Mollie. And for all of our restaurants, see independent.com/restaurants. Next week, see what U/V are for :