Gaylord India--Mostly Triumphant Return

Gaylord has re-opened in a new location, a below street level space underneath the Brite Smile tooth whitening shop on east Walton, a few yards west of Michigan Avenue. We were sad to see it leave its Clark and Huron location last year, as it was significantly more convenient for us, and the long hiatus created a vacuum in the selection of downtown Indian options (Klay Oven--hit or miss at best; India House--very good, but way too expensive and feeble in portion sizes; India Garden--enh).

The food at the new Gaylord was as good Saturday night as we have ever had. Brilliant nans, samosas, tikkas, aloo gobi, sag paneer, lamb sausage, and more. Sizzling, perfectly spiced, wonderful all around. They said they are getting their liquor license soon, but BYOB so far, and I was happy to have my cute pint-sized bottle of Grey Goose with me to accompany all the great food. Parking problematic, but they have applied for valet service, which they hope to have soon.

My only complaint is the look of the place. For something below grade, you'd think they'd choose a lighter, open, airy look to work against the danger of the dark basement problem. But no. They lined the space in wood paneling, so it emphasizes the "rec room" feeling. Pretty bad, and made me feel like I was eating in a two-star hotel basement. Hopefully, they're seeing it as a work in progress, and will take steps to correct.

But overall, a great new opening.

Gaylord India
100 E. Walton
Chicago IL 60611
312-664-1700

Thanks for posting. We used to go to the Clark location pretty regularly at one time. I guess it's been awhile since I didn't realize it closed down.

at least its closer to the train. i like gaylord, fills the bill since i'm too lazy to go up to tiffin on devon

Wow. That only took a what?, a year and a half. I used to call the number to find out when the new location was opening and I kept getting, "very soon, sir" or "next month" since at least last March. Three of us at work would hit the Clark Street location at least once a month for the lunch buffet. The food was always great, but sometimes the service was a challenge. The buffet price used to vary depending on who was writing the check. Anyway, in its absence, we decided to pony up the extra few bucks and go to the India House buffet on W. Grand, which has a larger, more varied selection and much, much nicer atmosphere. It was generally easy to find street parking at the old Gaylord, but this Walton location is going to require a few quarters more. I've missed their Spinach Paneer soooo much!!!!!

rp60605 wrote:at least its closer to the train.

Wasn't the old one closer to the train? Chicago/State is closer to Clark and Huron than Clark/Division is to 100 E. Walton.

(I ask because I often wish there were a train that stopped closer to Michigan/Walton and it seems an oversight on the part of the city fathers that there isn't!)

Used to like going to Gaylord back in the day. (That "day" being the early seventies.) Although the decor of the new one doesn't sound great, the location makes a return visit more likely for us, as we more often find ourselves around there than the old place. Could be a good change-of-pace alternative to the restaurants in 900 N. Mich.

It's in the old Hy's of Canada location.

Thanks for the tip Olde School. I never made it to the old location, despite living only a couple blocks away. I'll never knew what we were missing. We went to Gaylord this weekend and had an excellent meal at the still BYO location. I know what you mean about the dark wood paneling in the underground location, but what I think would really improve the decor would be to partion up the space somehow. I kind of liked the dark wood but the whole room felt too open. Maybe better if we were in a booth.

In any case we were in the mood for some Indian food and on that level it did passed on all counts. We had the amusingly named feast for a Queen and feast for a King which ended up being a little buffet on our table - Lamb sausage, grilled mahi mahi, Tandoori chicken, Chicken Tikka, Sag dish with potatoes, Lamb Gosh, one or two more sides, and plenty of Nan. It was a great meal, great leftovers the next day, as good as any Indian meal I have had in downtown Chicago.

Service was a little awkward, or maybe just inexperienced, but nothing to really complain about.

If only it was a little closer... But I'm sure we'll be back.

I've never been to Gaylord but I look forward to dining there soon. A friend of mine who is from Mumbai (and whose opinion I greatly trust), counts it as not only his favorite but also the place most reminiscent of restaurant dining back home and the most consistent Indian restaurant in Chicago.

=R=

My first experience with Indian food was at the New York Gaylord - which IIRC was in Midtown - on either 57th or 59th St. I don't think they have a New York location any more, but they are in a number of other cities. Does anyone know if it's a franchise, or just a name licensing agreement?

I also thought it was pretty good at the old location - not quite up to what you'd get on Devon, but good for downtown. If in the neighborhood, I may try the new location.

When my friends said they had reservations for Gaylord's, I was a bit curious as to why my Indian "peeps" would chose
a downtown Indian restaurant as opposed to going to Devon?
Now - I know!

Gaylord's is not your "typical" Indian Restaurant.
First, I was thrown off by it's new location- just behind The 900 N. Building.
Not my usual "zone-of-comfort", but- what the heck?
Once you descend the nicely designed staircase into the lower level, you enter a nice appointed bar area,
with a Pianist playing in the background. Nice. A quick view of the single malts show a Balvenie,McCallan and other
nice ones. The wine list had some tasty Malbecs by the glass, along with a nice balance of Shiraz, Pinot Noirs and other Reds-
by the bottle or by the glass. The Moldavian (who knew?- only in an Indian Restaurant in Chicago) bartender was efficient and knowledgeable.
So- whatever concerns previous posters had about their liquor capabilities- have no fear- they've got that covered!
As well as the food.
We were part of a large group- so the ordering/pacing of the food was arranged by our hosts.
When we were seated a very elongated white salad "bowl" was artistically filled with a Mango Salad that was utterly amazing. Perfectly ripened slices of mango with equally shaped slices of red onion & red pepper were subtly dressed with salt, lime, and perhaps a touch of "chat" or some other "heat" component-
and created an absolutely memorable mixture of sweet and savory,that I could not forget.
The entrees that followed were for the most part N. Indian dishes-but there was a very tasty Kerala (South Indian) Fish Curry served that very good-
but not quite as tasty as the home cooked Kerala Fish Curries I've savored in the past. I also noticed that they serve Dosa's as well as other South Indian Dishes,
quite unusual for most "typical" Indian Restaurants.
While all of the dishes were artfully presented in very attractive serving dishes- some of their creativity shown through, with the fashion
in which the Indian Desserts were served and presented.
Kulfi- a Indian (Pistachio, in this case) ice cream was presented in quartered orange skins (with the fruit removed- and sliced/quartered Kulfi in the oranges absence.
The Kulfi was served on a silver platter with sliced grapes and sliced fresh strawberries.
In a word- Brilliant.

Give Gaylord's a try- the Buffet is served daily.
100 E. Walton
Chicago, Ill. 60611
312.664.1700
http://www.gaylordil.com/