By Isadora Pennington
It’s funny to me now, looking back on what an incredibly picky eater I have always been, that as an adult I love curry so much. It’s my sister, Sascha, who is to thank for introducing me to Indian food and expanding my cultural foodie palate back in middle school. I have many fond memories of steamy, spicy bowls of curry shared on cold winter days in Somerville, MA with her after school. There are far too many delicious restaurants to include them all here, so I sampled just a few of my personal favorite Indian restaurants here in Atlanta.
3420 Piedmont Rd. NE naanstop.com (404) 846-6226
Chicken Tikka Masala Naanwich – All natural, marinated and grilled chicken in a creamy tomato sauce, drizzled with cool yogurt and cilantro chutney and wrapped in flatbread, Samosa – crispy pastry stuffed with spiced potatoes, served with sweet apple and tamarind chutney, Masala Fries – fries loaded with tikka masala and cool chutney, Mango Lassi – mango and yogurt smoothie.
931 Monroe Dr. Suite C-202 desipiceatl.com (404) 872-2220
Samosas – deep-fried mixed vegetable turnovers, Naan – tandoori baked bread, Chicken Tikka Masala – cooked with Chef’s special creamy sauce, Basmati Rice, Pappadum – thin crispy wafer made with lentils, Chutney tray.
451 Moreland Ave. NE planetbombay.com (404) 688-0005
Special Vegetable Combo for One – Two pieces of Onions Bhajee, Mixed Vegetables Curry, Tarka Dal, Sagg Paneer, Rice, Nan, Raita and Dessert.
406 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur chaipanidecatur.com (404) 378-4030
Sev Potato Dahi Puri, SPDP – Savory puffed flour crisps (puris) stuffed with potatoes, onions, sprouted mung bean, kala channa, cilantro and crunchy chickpea noodles (sev), with sweet yogurt, tamarind and green chutneys, Kathi Kabob – Tandoori chicken with vegetable slaw, mint chutney and lime on a egg washed wrap, Thumbs Up Indian Cola.
Photos and illustration by Isadora Pennington.