Best Indian Food in the Triangle? (Cary: buffets, location, Persian)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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Can I ask reasoning for Azitra not being authentic Indian cuisine? Because the restaurant OP mentioned, 2 out of 3 serves similar North Indian cuisine that Azitra serves and Meenaskhi Bhavan is South Indian cuisine. Just curious to know.
I've only been to Azitra once, but I found the flavors so muted that I decided it was Indian food for people who are afraid of Indian food. It seemed inauthentic to me; very bland. This was a long time ago.
Most of what you get in North Indian restaurants is not really authentic anyway. I have never eaten or seen 75% of the Indian food served here served in India outside of places serving tourists! My DH is from Mumbai and says no one really eats like that at home. Probably one one of the closest I've seen in this area is Udipi.
Americans like to guess at what is authentic from a given country based on things like how many foreigners they see when they walk into the place. Anyone who thinks Azitra is not authentic Indian must have never been to India. Its a bit upscale and pricey and thus kind of a niche restaurant, at least the last time I was there. But guess what they have pricey restaurants in Indian too.. lol
I agree , it is pricey Indian restaurant but one thing I like is consistent taste. It may not be the case for everyone.
I realize this thread is about "Best Indian Food in the Triangle". If you are ever in New Bern or passing by on your way to Atlantic Beach I suggest giving Bay Leaf a try. It's the best Indian food in the area.
I've only been to Azitra once, but I found the flavors so muted that I decided it was Indian food for people who are afraid of Indian food. It seemed inauthentic to me; very bland. This was a long time ago.
When I go to Azitra (or any Indian restaurant), I ask my food to be Indian spicy with clear instruction "I don't want mouth burning hot, I need flavoured spicy" This instruction is consistently followed by chef at Azitra (at least for us) and it gives very good Indian food taste. This is the one of the reasons I like that restaurant over others.
Always ask the server to use green chilly to make food hot over red chilly powder. So when you chew green chilly, and if it is spicy you can just pick chilly out of your curry but still enjoy the hint of spice.
For all-around dining experience, meaning pleasant ambiance and decor, good drinks, and great food, this Indian votes for Cholanad in Chapel Hill. Their menu strays from the standard tandoori, tikka, and vindaloo dishes you find in every Indian restaurant. While their base cuisine is South Indian, unlike most South Indian joints, it's non-veg, thank goodness. Their fish dishes are particularly good. If it's on the menu, I highly recommend the whole pompano roasted in banana leaf marinated in a tamarind sauce. Two other places in Chapel Hill are also very good, Vimala's Curry Blossom Cafe and Raaga, but Cholanad is better.
Azithra also has a pleasant ambiance and decor. I like that they have a sitar player on Friday & Saturday, at least when we dined there. The food, while good, I found that they added cream to a lot of their dishes and so different dishes have a similar taste. I suspect they do this to play to the American palate.
As buffets go, Dharani's lunch buffet is quite good. It's packed whenever I've gone there. But I wouldn't judge a place by it's lunch buffet.
[quote=Jkgourmet;44707016]Thanks for the heads up about this place! The menu looks pretty incredible. Any idea on the cost of the regular lunch buffet?
When I go to Azitra (or any Indian restaurant), I ask my food to be Indian spicy with clear instruction "I don't want mouth burning hot, I need flavoured spicy" This instruction is consistently followed by chef at Azitra (at least for us) and it gives very good Indian food taste. This is the one of the reasons I like that restaurant over others.
Always ask the server to use green chilly to make food hot over red chilly powder. So when you chew green chilly, and if it is spicy you can just pick chilly out of your curry but still enjoy the hint of spice.
This isn't always true. There are dishes where you have to use red chili powder. If someone wants a Pav bhaji, it is going to be quiet weird.
I second what Sant said about Cholanad especially for South Indian food. The food at Cholanad while expensive is probably the most authentic South Indian food I have had in the Triangle. While not Indian, I used to love the taste of the food at Himalayan Nepali cuisine in Cary but management there has since changed.
While not Indian, I used to love the taste of the food at Himalayan Nepali cuisine in Cary but management there has since changed.
Then you'll be glad to know the original owners of Himalayan Nepali have now opened Himalayan Range in Reedy Creek Square.
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