Naanotechnology 28 April 2005, 00:48

We had a second, underdressed go at New Asian Village tonight, after a chilly trot through the river valley (punctuated by volleys of cyclists dinging us with bicycle bells). I wonder if they still have belly dancers. They’ve got limos, which is wack, but that’s Edmonton.

Last time we’d been to the attached Tantra: the Forbidden Lounge for a meal involving aloo paratha and at least one meat dish, but for some reason we’d forgotten what we ordered and how much we’d enjoyed it. We do remember the décor—could an Indian restaurant be more goth? Our velvet-draped table was well soundproofed, and folks appeared in the swanky bar to light up.

We were surprised to see a buffet ($17) in place in the busy restaurant. The setting sun illuminated much of the restaurant’s brocade and aromatic carved wood accents, taking away from the atmosphere of the dining room, which is truly mysterious at night.

One chef worked the tandoor, slapping a round wad of naan dough onto the inside of the amphora-shaped oven with some kind of round hot pad, then teasing it out with a pair of wooden sticks to brush with butter and slice on a board.

We decided to go vegetarian and à la carte (mainly so I could get a chance at their ras malai for dessert). From our table we could see the vast beer cooler and the entrance to the roomful of alcoves for private dining.

A very nice but piping hot dish of thin lentil soup with cilantro started us off. We followed it with hot molded and beaten brass dishes of:

We followed the menu’s instructions and abstained from ice water throughout the meal. Things being very spicy, we called for a second order of plain naan (which appeared in a wrought-iron basket) and a “fire extinguisher” of raita (with shredded carrots and cucumber).

We had two cups of masala tea poured out from on high to accompany our slightly firm ras malai to share—a cardamom bomb with sprinkled nuts and anise seed. A favourite I first discovered in The Himalaya in Vancouver’s Punjabi Market.

Then we made our groaningly stuffed way carefully home through fluffy snowflakes, under cover of a huge sunset-lit stormcloud.

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Comment

  1. # And then like 1211 days ago Oorgo goes:

    Dammit woman! Now I want Indian... grrr... and I don't think anywhere nearby holds a candle to New Asian Village. I'll have to go on my own too because Amber dislikes the stuff. No taste.

    — Oorgo · 1211 days ago · #

  2. # And then like 1211 days ago Darren James Harkness goes:

    Here's a tip: Our favourite little Indian diner - Lahore Sweets - supplies New Asian Village with all their desserts. We've found that the dinner at Lahore is just as good as New Asian Village, and cheaper too.

    — Darren James Harkness · 1211 days ago · #

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