INDIAN
NIRVANA INDIAN CUISINE
4308 Magazine St., 894-9797; www.insidenirvana.com
Nirvana offers all the cornerstones of Indian cuisine, from curries and tandoor to biryani and naan. Some of the specialties include butter chicken, a roasted chicken breast in a tomato and butter sauce. The Saag paneer is a dish of curried spinach made with housemade Indian cheese. Try the affordably priced buffet at lunch and cleanse the palate with rice pudding or saffron kulfi and Indian-style ice cream. Reservations recommended for five or more. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $$
SALT & PEPPER
400 Iberville St., 561-6070
Though it might look like many quick-serve joints from the outside, this unassuming eatery cooks up aromatic dishes and halal meals from Pakistani and Indian cuisines with seasonings quite a bit more exotic than just salt and pepper. The biryani is made with long-grain basmati rice cooked with saffron, Indian spices and your choice of chicken or goat. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
TAJ MAHAL INDIAN CUISINE
923 Metairie Road, Metairie, 836-6859
Taj Mahal celebrates a quarter-century serving curry, naan and other subcontinental specialties. While it's still cool, start a meal with cauliflower soup. Traditional dishes include tikka masala with pieces of marinated chicken cooked in a tandoor oven and finished with tomato gravy. Bhindi masala is made with Louisiana okra, onions, tomatoes and abundant Indian spices. Shrimp curry is made with Louisiana shrimp and fresh coconut. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon. Credit cards. $$
Tandoori Chicken
2916 Cleary Ave., Metairie, 889-7880
Tandoori offers traditional Indian cuisine and more. Appetizers include standard dishes like vegetable samosa: potatoes and peas stuffed in a crispy patty. Popular entrées include chicken pecan masala, served in tomato and cream gravy and the spinach and cheese with homemade cheese and cream. Desserts include rice pudding. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
THAT INDIAN PLACE
201 St Charles Ave, Second Floor, 975-5664; www.thatindianplace.com
Indian food has been spicing the air of the Place St. Charles food court thanks to this take-out-only café. Tuesday's special of chutney shrimp is cooked with mangos, tomatoes, chiles and ground spices, and kicap chicken is made with a dark soy sauce, peppers and curry leaves. There are many options for vegetarians, and fresh fruit smoothies are available for lunch or breakfast. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Mon.-Fri. Cash only. $
INDEX:
African
American
American Contemporary
Bar & Grill
Barbecue
Belgian
Brewpub
Burgers
Café
Cajun
Caribbean
Chinese
Coffee & Dessert
Creole
Deli
Diner
Fondue
French
Gourmet to Go
Greek
Indian
Italian
Japanese/Sushi
Korean
Latin American
Louisiana Contemporary
Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
Mexican/Southwestern
Music and Food
Neighborhood
Pan-Asian
Pizza
Sandwiches and Po-boys
Seafood
Soul Food
Steakhouse
Tapas/Spanish
Thai
Vietnamese
