Not all of these will have you sitting on the floor to eat, and only a few will require you to eat with your hands, but that doesn't mean they aren't authentic. It just means they are accommodating us silly Westerners. Denver, remarkably, has a vast selection of Indian food, which is extremely appealing to our vast population of vegetarians (which is also directly linked to the vast profitability of Teva and Birkenstock shops in CO.) The Hindu’s don’t get down on beef and the Muslims steer clear of the ham and pork, making Indian cuisine ideal for the vegan community. Still, for all the carnivores out there, chicken, lamb, fish and occasionally goat are staples on every table in India. But be forewarned: While the following are delicious, be prepared to wear the curry perfume for the rest of the evening.
Mile High Indian
March 26, 2008Jewel of India
10343 Federal Blvd., WestminsterFor anyone unfamiliar with the tastes that have been developed and embraced by India, let's just tell you this; it’s all about freshness. Yes, there’s heat in there enough to blow your head off if you fancy, but it’s the layers that are important. From a spice top, to a fragrant middle, to a creamy finish, Indian cuisine can and should leave a passport stamp on your tongue as you reach for another bite. The Jewel of India wants to be your port of call for this journey, offering some of India’s most famous dishes. Trust us, it only takes one trip to find your tongue applying for a visa.
Bombay Clay Oven
165 Steele St., DenverFantastic Indian food with a charming atmosphere right in the heart of Cherry Creek. Too many Indian places spice their curries for wimpy Western palates, but not this one. The Vindaloo is hot enough to make your DNA sweat. If you are a fan of Indian food, you will want to go multiple times before deciding on a favorite dish. They have a complete bar, including a variety of Indian beer and fruit drinks. The basket of Naan is bottomless, which is a good thing, because you will want to keep nibbling ‘til you pop.
Himalayas Restaurant
1520 S. Hover Rd. , LongmontWhen you walk into Himalayas, the exotic aromas lure you back, and your eyes meet the glimmering silver buffet trays. Both their lunch and dinner buffets are all-you-can-eat, and with these smells, you’re going to be at it for awhile. The lunch buffet rings up an $8.95 plate and runs from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. daily, and the dinner crowd, served from 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m. gets a $13.95 tab at the buffet line. This isn’t hometown buffet style; there’s no mad dash for the freshest piece of garlic cheese toast. Himalayas opts for the informal banquet approach and the laid back clientele just want to bask in the exotic feast tantalizing their nose and mouth.
Little India
1533 Champa St., DenverIf you’d been to Little India’s lunch buffet a few years ago and came back now, you might think we were living in Russia circa 1991. They’ve been raising their prices in accordance with post-revolutionary Soviet Consumer Price Indices. The buffet – which now sets you back $9 – is still one of downtown’s tastiest, although they save the real cooking for the menu items. The chicken tikka masala is excellent, but is steep lunch-time price tag may have you running for the bread line.
Star of India
3102 S. Parker Rd. Suite A10, AuroraSo much of what makes or breaks Indian cuisine lies in the subtle combination of spices: A pinch of curry here, a shake of turmeric there, a dollop of cumin and you have a distinct approach to flavor. The Star of India lays claim to some savory spice combinations and some bargains to boot. Highlights here include the Mattar Paneer for $7.95, a dish that combines peas, cheese and spices with impressive results. For the afternoon patron, the Star's lunch buffet combines all of the best Indian staples - curried chicken, Nan bread and tandoori delights - for $6.95.
Sherpa's
825 Walnut St., BoulderBoulderites are known to be adventurous and we're sure some have even climbed Mt. Everest. I mean Boulderites are like "super humans." You’re in luck Boulder, there's a restaurant that will meet your adventurous needs before you have withdrawals. Sherpa’s is all about Himalayan cuisine. It’s not a knock-off of Himalayan cuisine either, the owner (Sherpa) grew up in Nepal. So he is the real-deal and so is the menu! You have got to try the handmade Tibetan dumplings. Life’s too short to not be adventurous!
Taste of India
901 S Oneida St., DenverSampling a little bit from each of the major regions of the one of the world’s most populous countries, you get to leave with the whole experience of India, minus the runs but with all the curry perfume you could ask for. The décor is nothing fancy, but still authentic in the sense of walking into an Indian home. The owners seem to always be on site adding to the homely feel, and at times treat you like an unwelcomed house guest so you really get the whole experience. All and all though the food is inexpensive, and the service, while cold, is speedy making it a good jumping off point for Indian food beginners. There is also a buffet on Tuesdays so you can see what your palate can tolerate and several options for vegetarians as well.
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