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| - If, like many Americans, you've only dined at Continental style Indian restaurants, which are kind of a greatest hits selection of food found around that vast country, then I recommend you head to Udupi Café and try some Southwestern regional Indian food. The chefs of the state of Udupi in India are known throughout the country for their exceptional vegetarian cuisine (Udupi is predominantly Hindu, and Hindus are usually vegetarians), and this recently opened restaurant represents in a big way. I'm not sure if this restaurant is part of a chain or franchise, but I've dined at Udupi Cafes from Pennsylvania to North California; there's even one in Washington state; and they're very similar. I like to start a meal here with rasam, a nuclear level spiced broth that wakens the palate in a big way. I also like the dosas, which are thin rice & gram flour crepes with different fillings; my favorite is the masala dosa, which is filled with spiced potatoes and comes with coconut chutney and sambar, a thick soup. You know that game that chefs and foodies play, where they decide what their last meal on earth will be? Masala dosa is mine, so to say I "like" it is a bit of an understatement. My partner and I usually share one of these and a curry. The veggie curries are very different here; many are very spicy, some are less so and feature a dairy base, and some have a coconut base. The veggie korma had the requisite richness, but I didn't like the broccoli in it. I'm pretty sure they don't use broccoli in Southern India, and would love to try this dish with the veggies they use there. This was the only miss for me, and I still love this place. Other things to try here are the vegetable cutlets (weird name, great appetizer) and the pistachio ice cream, which was outstanding. Eat your way through the menu here! It's terrific.
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