It's not always easy accompanying a vegan to dinner. Really, is there any food without meat that's worth eating?
All joking aside, that's how this friend and I always come back to Indian food. And it all comes down to the pakora test. In my mind, the ideal vegetable pakora is a crisp, flavourful bundle of vegetable joy that's not too oily or batter-heavy.
Surahi passes the pakora test with flying colours. Mmm.
The rest of the food is yummy too. The bhindi (okra) is delightfully spicy. The chana masala is perfectly cooked with a rich tomato sauce that doesn't overdo the chickpeas into mush. The bharta (eggplant), on the other hand, is a bit unrecognizable in its green amorphous form, but not bad overall. Finally, the garlic naan is sooooo garlicky - in a good way.
I agree with enjoying a mango lassi to balance out the heat in your mouth! Someone really needs to invent more liquid desserts.
In my opinion, probably among the better Indian restaurants in south Calgary, next to Karma.
$50 for two people with plenty of leftovers.