New Indian in Lincoln Square

Driving down Lincoln last night, I saw that there's a new Indian restaurant that's opened just two doors up from Essence of India (just north of Wilson) called Passage to India. I didn't see anyone eating there, though the sign said it was open.

I can't find any references to it in Metromix or the Reader - not too surprising I guess - has anyone stopped by & checked it out? I will probably head there this weekend & will be sure to report back.

HI Ms. Paris,

So you checked Reader and Metromix, did you do a search on LTHforum?

IF you use the keywords <india essence> and specify search for both terms, then a number of threads pop up. One which will interest you is here.

Regards,

I'm looking for info on Passage to India, not Essence of India. I've been to EoI several times & am excited to have another Indian restaurant in the neighborhood.

HI,

Sorry for my reading comprehension lapse.

Only Passage to India on LTHforum is as close as Philadelphia!

Regards,

The transition occured several weeks ago with the new awning up around the first of March. Passage to India is owned by WAGIH International, which is the same (probably very small) company that took over Anatolian Kabob, raised prices by about a dollar and then changed the name to Candle Lights. See this thread for early history of changeover. Sometime later the menu changed materially.

Signs in the window indicate that the chef is B. K. Melna, who was at Bukhara and had several awards that may or may not have meant anything. Posted menus indicate an emphasis on grilled food. In a thread on Essence of India Al Ehrhardt noted that the chef at Essence of India was the former chef at Bukhara for many years. This raises the question of the relationship between these two Indian restaurants in the same building. Are they affiliated or are they the result of a split? The menus appear rather different.

Essence of India
4601 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625
773-506-0002

Passage to India
4609 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625
773-561-2200

Passage to India had different menus in the window when I walked by this afternoon. There is now a section of tandoori dishes. This menu looks a lot like the one at Essence of India, but I didn't compare the prices. Because Passage has BYOB on the awning, I assume they don't intend to get a liquor license.

Both the old and new menus had a page of lunch specials. Essence of India started out having lunch every day they were open but rather quickly cut to brunch on Friday through Sunday only. With all the zigs and zags at this place I have no idea what they will do next.

Went back to look at the menu tonight (unfortunately got there after they closed). As ekreider says, the menus @ Passage to India and Essence of India look almost identical. The prices are about $1 cheaper on all dishes at PtI, but I doubt that that alone is enough to draw customers away from EoI. Naan was $2, all vegetarian dishes $10, chicken dishes $11-12 - that's all I remember off the top of my head.

Tried carryout at the new indian restaurant in Lincoln Square. There were 4 tables filled when I went to pick up my order. I picked up the following for 2 people: vegetable samosas, chicken tikka masala, shrimp biryani, aloo paratha and paneer kulcha. Bill was $39.

Food was good but not great. It was ready in the 20 min (just like they said it would be). It's a good neighborhood addition. I would go back.

Note: The carryout menu will be ready tomorrow, March 27. I just winged it looking at other indian menus to place my order. Seems like a friendly place.