Darrin's Dining Guide : Asian : Indian

Indian Restaurants

Taste of India
1609 E Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85022
602-788-3190

While Taste of India isn't in the East Valley I still manage to make the trip once in a while because I enjoy the food so much. I also find it novel to hear the Indians speaking with a British accent. Yes, they're Londoners. I recently recommended this place to one of my English friends who was complaining that he couldn't find good “London Indian” food anywhere.
Pasand [Web Site] [Menu]
1801 E Baseline Rd, Tempe, 85283
480-730-2555

After reading a fairly glowing review on Chowhound's Southwest Message Board I decided I had to try this place. My disappointment started almost immediately with our waiter seating us and trying to take our orders right away. Since it was our first visit my wife and I thought it might be nice to look at the menu first. Our waiter seemed a little put off. Then there was the busboy wiping down a table with a used napkin. My wife went to the restroom and came back looking aghast at the filthy conditions there. Not to be put off we ordered anyway. The food wasn't horrible, but it wasn't especially good, either. I have no reason to give this place a second shot.
Udupi Cafe
1636 N Scottsdale Rd, Tempe, 85281
480-994-8787

Review by Darrin Chandler — July 19, 2005

Always on the lookout for close, good Indian food, when I heard a recommendation for Udupi I just had to try it. Yet another unassuming strip mall restaurant with typical Indian decor. We arrived early and the place was almost empty.

Udupi sports a decent sized menu, but even so I recognized only a few things for two reasons. They specialize in Southern Indian cuisine, and they are completely vegetarian. In fact, more than half of the items qualify as Vegan.

We ended up ordering way too much food, but we got a fair sampling of their menu by ordering the sampler appetizer, a Thali combo, and an entree. Everything was fresh and seasoned well, and the service was quick and polite. The only gripe I have is that they rushed the entrees out before we had got even half way through the appetizers, which I find very annoying.

Since I'm not a vegetarian I wouldn't have minded seeing some meat on the menu, but I didn't really miss it. If there's one cuisine that's good at vegetarian then it's got to be Indian. They've been doing it a long time and they've got it down, and Udupi is a fine example of rich and hearty dishes.

However, the lack of beer and wine is a setback for some. It certainly is for me. I'm sure I'll return to Udupi, but there will be times when I dismiss it due to the lack of beer.

Darrin's Dining Guide : Asian : Indian

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