Keeping with the Asian food theme of the day, here is an idea for a great night out during the (supposedly) colder months of the year. Trying something new often means hundred page menus with unfamiliar vocabulary - it can be a little bit intimidating. But when you combine at least a preliminary understanding with the suggestions of competent wait staff, the experience can be genuinely enjoyable. Also, everyone will be impressed by the extent of your international grub knowledge.
Americans in large numbers are finally warming to an idea that an entire subcontinent and the whole of Great Britain have long held dear: Indian food is amazing. Like any other cuisine, the quality depends on the source. I have heard lots of people say they had bad experiences with Indian food, only to find out later that they had only tried it once from a $3 buffet that had been sitting out for the better part of a week. [to the picky eaters out there who think that they can write off an entire continent worth of food - you are missing out, but please don’t go to an Indian restaurant and ask for a hamburger]. Instead, use friends or websites/magazines to find a place that other people have tried and recommend with some sense of ambiance. Take a few friends so you can try a number of different dishes. I promise you will come away satisfied with the meal and with yourself for venturing outside of your comfort zone.
There are generally two types of places you can go for an Indian meal: the quick and cheap curry joints popular in the UK or the more upscale lets-sit-down-and-enjoy-a-night-out-with-drinks-and-friends places becoming more common in trendy areas of most larger cities in the US. The main difference will be price, which will likely reflect ingredient quality and level of preparation that goes into a meal. Both can serve their purpose, and many of the suggestions below will work at either, but since the latter tends to be a better venue to drop knowledge, I’m writing with that sort of place in mind.
First Things First
Wash your hands. Often, Indian is served family style, and we don’t know where you’ve been.
Drinks
It is always easiest to get these out of the way first before wading through the menu, which may take awhile.
Wine: Red Zinfandel for a red or Riesling (domestic is usually very sweet, German is less so) if your table prefers white. Pairing wine and foods is very inexact, but both of these stand up well to the full flavor and spices of Indian food. If several people at the table are wine drinkers, go ahead and get a bottle; you will save a few dollars and you will get your drinks much faster than if everyone orders separately.
Beer: Keep it on the light and crisp side, a heavy stout or porter will probably leave you feeling over full. There are a few Indian beers that are widely available and quite good. With some variance in body, hops, and finish, each tastes like a lighter European-style lager. Taj Mahal and Flying Horse are both available in 22 oz. bottles, and depending on how well you do with spicy food, you may be glad you ordered a larger bottle.
Mixed Drinks: Indian food can occasionally lead to gulping, which is never a good idea when liquor is involved.
Non-Alcoholic: A lassi is a smoothie-ish yogurt drink that can be a great mouth cooler if you’ve just eaten something very spicy, and they are very kid-friendly. Chai is Indian spiced tea that is traditionally taken after a meal. A good restaurant will make batches from scratch several times a day to keep it fresh. Water is a given at the table, and a decent server will make sure you are well stocked.
Appetizers
Ask your server about the wait time for an entree and decide for or against appetizers accordingly. Some restaurants make everything from scratch and the food may not be out as quickly as it would be at other restaurants (if you are eating with people you don’t like, sitting around a table without food can be brutal). Samosas are a potato or meat filled pastry that are probably the most well-known Indian starter. Soups are another good, and often spicy, option. You can also order bread before the meal, but make sure you specify that you want it first. Otherwise, it will come out with the entrees. Often, there are sauces and chutneys provided that are meant to be used to customize your food to your taste. Experiment freely.
Main Dish
Your best bet will be to ask for recommendations from the server, who can let you know about specific ingredients or methods, portion sizes, and house specialties, but I can lay down some basics.
Tandoor - a clay oven that cooks meats and vegetables very quickly over hot coals. Some dishes are served right out of the oven as an Indian-style barbecue, while others are taken out and cooked in a sauce.
Curry - a prominent spice/coloring used in Indian cooking, but also can be used for any dish that is served in a sauce (think of it as a thick stew).
Paneer - homemade cheese with a very mild taste and a consistency much like firm tofu. It is usually very good, but don’t expect to be biting into a piece of mozzarella.
Tika Masala - probably the most well-known Indian dish, it is chicken in a creamy orange colored sauce. At all costs, avoid calling it “Marsala.” That is Italian food - you will lose all street cred.
Don’t feel the need to pronounce anything you aren’t comfortable saying; pointing translates. The key to a good order is variety, both with sauces and meats. Plan to pass dishes around the table to get a taste of everything. Don’t shy away from mixing in some vegetarian options, as they tend to be some of the best dishes available. You have options for how hot (spice-wise) you want your food to be; it is thoughtful to order things milder for people who may be leery of too much chili. You can get a side of hot sauce to make it to your own taste. Rice usually comes with the meal, but always remember to get some bread for the table as well.
When the food comes, start with a bed of rice and start passing the entrees, making sure everyone gets a taste of each different style of sauce. Talk about the food, what is smells like, which looks the best, etc. The whole experience is meant to be conversational. Indian breads are used as a utensil to help scoop up food to a fork and wipe up extra sauce from an empty plate. Raita, a white cucumber yogurt sauce, should be at the table to be used as a dressing, dipping sauce, mouth cooler, or a palate cleanser between trying different dishes. Now...eat!
Bask
After you have all had a chance to gorge, sit back and reflect. Talk. Don’t talk. Go to the bathroom. Have another drink. You can look over the deserts, but a cup of chai is the best way to finish the meal, especially if it is cold out. Divide up the check so that everyone pays an equal amount. It’s easier for you and your server that way, and no one wants to spoil their food coma with lots of complicated math. Tip better than usual if your server was great with recommendations or special requests, or even if you just had a really great time. You know you did. Golf-clap.
Congratulations, You now love Indian food, and you have something to talk about with Brits besides David Beckham!
Oh, and Boise State, I smile every time I catch a clip of what happened Monday night. I don’t think I’ve ever been that affected by a football game. “Fun to watch” is so overused, but for once, it was literally true. Even the announcers were ok; what a perfect game.
