US Journal
Friday, October 18,
2013
CARDAMON HILL
RESTAURANT
I never thought I would hear myself say, “I LOVE this Indian
food! This is the best restaurant ever!” However, tonight, I couldn’t say
enough good about Cardamon Hill and Chef Asha, who happens to be on the Slow
Food Board with us!
When our server Hunter learned that we were eating there for
the first time, he started our exquisite dining experience in a perfect way,
assuring us that most people who come to this restaurant have a preconceived
notion about Indian food that is not too positive. He congratulated us for
stepping out of our comfort zone and continued by explaining that Chef Asha’s
restaurant was different from almost all of the Indian restaurants in the U.S.
Chef/Owner Asha learned to cook Indian food in the south of India, where trade
routes historically provided spices and foods from all over the world. We knew
we were in good hands when I said, “Hunter, I need to confess that I really am
not good with spicy foods!” His response was calm and assuring, “Not to worry!
You have lots of options here that are not spicy or can still be made
deliciously without the spicy ingredients.”
He couldn’t have been more on target there!
Peter proceeded to start with a shared appetizer (sorry, no picture) of pickled catfish/radish
slices/purple cabbage, with watermelon to finish and take the heat away!
Absolutely delectable…a little too spicy for me, but a taste of watermelon
after my fork full of the pickled catfish subdued the spiciness in a
surprisingly perfect way.
Our entrees were both deliciously splendid! Peter had pan-roasted
Red Snapper with rice and yams, and my vegetable plate just hit the spot for
me. I particularly liked the rice dish that was prepared with yams and other
vegetables. There was also a stew with onions and sticks of carrots and
potatoes. Although the vegetables were
not too spicy for me, one of the vegetables was stewed young, whole okra with
yogurt on top…to subside any spicy tastes. It was an amazing combination of
vegetables.
Chef Asha sent us some of her famous Chai Tea and a biscotti
after our meal, and we also very much enjoyed some bread pudding with fruit and
mango sauce…YUM!
I told Peter after this terrific meal, ”We’re going to have
to waddle out of here!” He immediately replied, “Yes, but it was for a great
cause!” How true! How true!
Thank you, Chef Asha, server Hunter, as well as Alise and
the rest of the kitchen crew. You have made our first truly Indian meal an experience
we will always cherish! (And thank you for our take home treats for tomorrow,
Asha.…so thoughtful!) Brava, Chef Asha!
Colleen
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