On my first visit to a restaurant I traditionally will order what they advertise on the sign out front (they are so proud that they put it up in large letters)...
(Half) Tandoori Chicken

I also will be conservative and get a favorite...
Chicken Makhni

Love me a Lentil dish. I try to order a vegetarian dish when nicely done. Chinese and Indian cooking lend themselves well with their aggressive spicing.
Daal Fry

... and...
Tandoori Naan (keeping with the 'what's advertised' theme)
An appetizer of some sort, probably Pakora.

Sounds like we will have a good contrast. Ordering Power!

Panther in the Den wrote:

diversedancer wrote:I think this is the second time you have mentioned Mutton recently. I knew dessert would make its way onto your list.

Goat/lamb is always high on my list.

I've never seen the big deal with Tandoori Chicken. That place that closed by the movie theater had the best, moist and fall off the bone tender. I wonder if anybody makes Tandoori duck/goose/turkey...at least for thanksgiving if not all year. Or for that matter, Tandoori quail.

Actually, the dessert was an after thought. If it turns out there is a side or appetizer that is not wheat based, I would probably choose that instead. Or Kulfi. Oh wait, didn't know what it was, but now that I checked, Mango Lassi sounds like a dessert, maybe that or the mango shake instead.

Tandoori Restaurant
9344 Ballard Rd, Des Plaines
http://tandooridesplaines.com/


Pakora or Samosa
Found it to be odd that neither of the appetizer items were availble during lunch. Dinner only. Come on, fire up the fryer.


This is what I was looking forward to after enjoying a tasty version on the buffet at Himalayan Restaurant a few weeks ago and it didn't dissapoint. Tender, juicy and full of flavor. Not as spicy as the chunks of rub on the back might insist.


The old standby and, while very good, didn't bring any revelations to the dish. A good level of spice that is traditionally missing with the dumbed down versions you will find almost everywhere else. The chicken here was very soft probably from a long time in the sauce.


Nom, nom. As with most of the dishes this was also fresh and not overcooked. Often the lentils are on the verge of breaking down into mush but not here. Just perfectly cooked just beyond firm. Good spice level once again.


Tasted freshly cooked. A nice crunch on the outside with a tasty softness inside. A light brushing of butter topped it off.


... and I didn't even touch on some of their most proud dishes. Chicken Briyani or Seek Kabab so prominently displayed and described on the first page of their website. Next time.

Another possible restaurant. La Donita, across Ballard from Tandoori. Oaxan region of Mexico,

First, I'll chime in that the lentils and butter chicken were better than on buffets I've been to, don't know if just my preference, because of "to order", or just a good chef. Delay in serving seemed to indicate food was made to order, and not just warmed up from a refrigerated batch. As Panther said, the lentils had enough texture other than mush without being too firm, and the chicken was meltingly tender. The tandori chicken was probably better than buffets, but I have had better. The red dipping sauce could pass for cranberry (if it wasn't), I guess we should have asked. The yogurt sauce seemed thin.

I should have written down what I wanted before coming like Panther did to just hand to the waiter. Looking at the menu, I got confused and ordered the item below the one I had intended (had intended Palak Gosht).



Flavors were top notch. However the Daal Gosht was maybe 20-30% goat, and of that, 70-80% was bone and much of the remainder gristle. The eggplant was lumps of potato in a eggplant broth, maybe intended, but in the past I have had more recognizable eggplant. Even Panther commented there didn't seem to be any eggplant.

Panther in the Den wrote:Tandoori Restaurant

Looks like a nice lunch, one of my favorites in the area. There is a 27-post thread on Tandoori, as I'm guessing you knew.
-----> Link

diversedancer wrote:The red dipping sauce could pass for cranberry (if it wasn't), I guess we should have asked.

Tamarind.

diversedancer wrote:The yogurt sauce seemed thin.

Raita is highly variable. Google "raita recipes" and over 90 thousand come up in less than a second.

G Wiv wrote:

diversedancer wrote:The yogurt sauce seemed thin.

Raita is highly variable. Google "raita recipes" and over 90 thousand come up in less than a second.

OK, but when it is that thin it could make a nice soup, but for dipping not enough sticks to what was dipped to make it useful. And my comment was a valid review of the food there, IMHO.

G Wiv wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Tandoori Restaurant

Looks like a nice lunch, one of my favorites in the area. There is a 27-post thread on Tandoori, as I'm guessing you knew.
-----> Link

I did an area search the forums and read some reviews but didn’t realize their thread was so extensive.

The length of the thread...
Them hitting all the important points...

Quality, freshness, price, service, taste...

... why aren’t they a GNR?

We had leftovers for dinner tonight (charcoal/dutch oven turkey tomorrow) and Linda proclaimed it was the best she ever had (she says that a lot lately ).

A hidden gem.

...

This weeks adventures?

Monday Brew Day (11-26) 4:45 to 5:30

Une Année Brewery LLC/Hubbard's Cave
9082 W Golf Rd, Niles

My first repeat. My last visit I was able to try just one side of this 2 sided brewery. Almost like a new visit!

Friday Lunch Out (11/30) 12:15 to 12:45 (ish It has been running long)

Elephant & Castle
1941 Tower Dr, Glenview

Yeah, I know, a chain but I have visited their downtown location and fell in love with their Curry Fries. That was all I remember. Hopefully their other items are just as good.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Had an early morning obligation today so I plan to eat out both breakfast and lunch.

The Greenwood Restaurant
910 Greenwood, Glenview

This place charmed me on my first visit and I knew they would give the fast food chains a run for their money.

Called in my order on the way and it was ready and waiting.


After I picked this up I was thinking that I should of ordered what I made last weekend...


I probably didn't need that much butter in the morning anyway.

Nicely prepared and tasty.

polster wrote:Another recommendation if its not out of your way for lunch in Glenview on Golf Road is the old school Greek owned 'The Works' hotdog/burger/gyros fast food restaurant that has been in the same location for decades. The interior looks to be from the 70's with wood paneling like those old Ditka SNL sketches which can be described a suburban hole in the wall in a nondescript strip mall on Golf Road. They have great char grilled burgers as well as top notch gyros sandwiches.

The Works
2676 Golf Rd
Glenview, IL 60025
http://www.gyrosglenview.com/
https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-works-glen ... =date_desc

Thanks for the recommendation!

Always looking for the gold I went with the sandwich bearing their name...


2 double (jumbo) dogs on french bread with cheese sauce, mustard, ketchup (???), relish, onion, tomato, pickle, hot peppers

This was a messy sandwich because of everything was added generously because of the amount of meat. The french bread did have some resistance and cause the insides to squirt out.

A lot of food.

The split pea soup was good even though it wasn't served with croutons.

That does look like a hot mess of a hot dog! I'm sure it tasted great.

polster wrote:That does look like a hot mess of a hot dog! I'm sure it tasted great.

Maybe a little too much of a good thing. With every bite I would have to swallow a mouthful of cheese, relish, onion.

I do know and had seen on the walls the accolades (and your recommendation) for their gyros and also yours on their burger. While I was waiting I also was smelling and looking at the shish kabob on the flame broiler.

Looked and smelled great! I might go with the kabob.

Panther in the Den wrote:This weeks adventures?

Friday Lunch Out (11/30) 12:15 to 12:45 (ish It has been running long)

Elephant & Castle
1941 Tower Dr, Glenview

Yeah, I know, a chain but I have visited their downtown location and fell in love with their Curry Fries. That was all I remember. Hopefully their other items are just as good.

A nice quiet visit. The restaurant was about 5% capacity during lunch.

Darn them! They no longer carry Curry Fries, one of my all time favorite snack food. They did have Butter Chicken Poutine but it is not the same. Scratch that from my order.


Pretty much a straight French Onion. Not much ale flavor but good enough. A nice amount of cheese and not filled with so many onions, Several crouton cubes instead of an entire single piece as you might oft find.


The sausages here were pretty good! on the lines of bratwurt but with a peppery flavor. Lightly fried and a pleasure to dip slices in the gravy. Red skin mashed.


I thought there would be more to this but it was Roast Beef and Gravy in a baked bread shell. I am a fan of roast beef and this was pretty good! Not crumble apart tender but soft enough. The bread shell reminded me of a rye and went well with the gravy and an unidentified vegetable. Just dont remember having it here in the States



Several menus touting specials, drinks and the regular menu. Service was attentive mostly due to a lack of customers.

Everything tasted great and if they bring back my beloved Curry Fries I might return.

Looks like I will be continuing my explorations through December as my contract was once again extended. Yay!

This weeks plans.

I have visited all the local breweries and it is time to revisit...

Tuesday Brewery Day (12-4 4:45 to 5:15)

Macushla Brewing Co
1516 E Lake Ave, Glenview

I loved the story, the owner, the availability of great food...

And the beer wasn’t shabby either. Looking forward to the revisit.

Lunch Out Friday (12-4 12:10 to 12:50)

Wholly Guacamole! (no not Mexican food ) Why has it taken me so long to visit.

Naf Naf Grill
3818 Willow Rd, Northbrook

I have been a big fan of this chain ever since they opened their first location in a defunct Taco Bell on Ogden in Naperville.

My how they’ve grown! 13 locations! in the area and still going strong.

What a great time to be alive.

Fair warning on that Naf Naf: parking in that section with the fast food and LA Fitness is pretty much impossible at lunch hour. Save angst and park by Mariano's.

Even better advice:

Go inside the Mariano's, get 1/4 lb of smoked brisket, chopped.

Get a baba ghanoush bowl at naf-naf with extra pickles, two ladles of garlic sauce, and two ladles of schug, and an extra pita. Top the bowl with the brisket.

You're welcome.

seebee wrote:Even better advice:

Go inside the Mariano's, get 1/4 lb of smoked brisket, chopped.

Get a baba ghanoush bowl at naf-naf with extra pickles, two ladles of garlic sauce, and two ladles of schug, and an extra pita. Top the bowl with the brisket.

You're welcome.

This sounds awesome!

Actually the supermarket brisket echoed the Date Night dinner I brought home last Friday.

From Pete’s in Oak Park, a pound of brisket, a loaf of bread, a package of potato salad and we had a great meal. Simple, scrumptious and unctuous.

I am a big fan of the meats at Naf Naf so a substitution is not required.

I do know they have added marinated steak that I am eager to try along with the stalwart Chicken Schnitzel.

Their sides also stand alone.

The green vegetable looks like broccolini.

https://www.google.com/search?q=broccol ... 68&bih=899

Rick T. wrote:The green vegetable looks like broccolini.

https://www.google.com/search?q=broccol ... 68&bih=899

Thanks!

I had also received a PM.

My Bride and I have determined it is a cross between the woody stem AKA: asparagus and broccoli.

We prefer the latters.

off track: Disappointed by google maps. Called up the website, and it remembered where I live and showed me that. Put in "naf naf grill", and it offered me THREE locations, including Schaumburg, Chicago, and (I forget), but I believe neither of the two closest ones. This was as drop down options from the search line, so I put in northbrook and it found it. Just now I went back and jus put in "naf naf grill" and hit enter, and it did show me a map with all the close locations, including northbook.

Panther in the Den wrote:
I am a big fan of the meats at Naf Naf so a substitution is not required.

I do know they have added marinated steak that I am eager to try along with the stalwart Chicken Schnitzel.

Their sides also stand alone.

John -
Have you been to these Naf Naf satellites?
IIRC, these do not have nearly the same menu as the Naperthrill location.

Don't get too eager to try the "steak." I tried it...once.

seebee wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:
I am a big fan of the meats at Naf Naf so a substitution is not required.

I do know they have added marinated steak that I am eager to try along with the stalwart Chicken Schnitzel.

Their sides also stand alone.

John -
Have you been to these Naf Naf satellites?
IIRC, these do not have nearly the same menu as the Naperthrill location.

Don't get too eager to try the "steak." I tried it...once.

Wow! I never realized there was such a pared down menu at the satellites! I have been to a few and usually satisfied with a Chicken Shawarma Pita and never missed the other items.

I'm going to miss the Chicken Schnitzel ("coated in a sesame breading and lightly fried") Plate. For some reason this was my 'go to' in Naperville, probably because I saw it and ordered.

I could make a meal out of their Pita, Falafel and Hummus alone and go vegetarian for a day. ... but I won't.

Since my contract is extended into January (Woot!) my research continues...

Any insight into the numerous Korean BBQ places in the area...

SGD Dubu, 1615 Milwaukee Ave, Glenview
Pro Samgyubsal, 3420 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook
San Soo Kab San, 7901 Golf Rd, Morton Grove
Jang Choong Dong, 9078 W Golf Rd, Niles
Mr. Kimchi, 1747 W Golf Rd, Mt Prospect
New Seoul, 638 W Algonquin Rd, Des Plaines
BBQ Garden, 9020 W Golf Rd, Niles
Chungkiwa, 1658 Algonquin Rd, Mt Prospect
Woori Village, 8526 W Golf Rd, Niles
Hal Mae Bo Ssam, 9412 Waukegan Rd, Morton Grove

I have visited SGD Dubu but didn't get the BBQ.
I have been to the mothership of San Soo Kab San and always enjoyed it very much.

I really didn't look at the map too close and some might be out of reach.

Often the BBQ is a time consuming ordeal but if it is just one or two people they will often BBQ in the kitchen and bring out a plate.

Panther in the Den wrote:

seebee wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:
I am a big fan of the meats at Naf Naf so a substitution is not required.

I do know they have added marinated steak that I am eager to try along with the stalwart Chicken Schnitzel.

Their sides also stand alone.

John -
Have you been to these Naf Naf satellites?
IIRC, these do not have nearly the same menu as the Naperthrill location.

Don't get too eager to try the "steak." I tried it...once.

Wow! I never realized there was such a pared down menu at the satellites! I have been to a few and usually satisfied with a Chicken Shawarma Pita and never missed the other items.

I'm going to miss the Chicken Schnitzel ("coated in a sesame breading and lightly fried") Plate. For some reason this was my 'go to' in Naperville, probably because I saw it and ordered.

I could make a meal out of their Pita, Falafel and Hummus alone and go vegetarian for a day. ... but I won't.

Schnitzel is only at Naperville, Route 59 and Niles as far as I'm aware. They did try keeping it on the menu when they opened the first faster-casual concept on Washington downtown but it really needs to be fried to order for best results and it just didn't work out so they axed it from that version of Naf Naf Grill.

Panther in the Den wrote:This weeks plans.

Lunch Out Friday (12-4 12:10 to 12:50)

Wholly Guacamole! (no not Mexican food ) Why has it taken me so long to visit.

Naf Naf Grill
3818 Willow Rd, Northbrook

I have been a big fan of this chain ever since they opened their first location in a defunct Taco Bell on Ogden in Naperville.

My how they’ve grown! 13 locations! in the area and still going strong.

What a great time to be alive.

I Love Naf Naf. As I mentioned I have been a big fan ever since they first opened and I am proud at how my baby has grown.


As was mentioned this is a simplified menu and ordering is streamlined. Pick a format (bowl or pita sandwich), starch (base), protein, salad topping and finally the sauce. I keep it simple and for the last two I go with everything.

A few statistical side notes; 9 out of 10 customers were ordering the bowl; about 1/3 of the customers were school kids.


Steak Bowl (see feast pic above)

I was a little skeptical when I saw the spit in the back but they were ladling out of the dreaded 'Bucket 'O Grease'. The Pita is still being baked fresh at the bakery at start of the line. Other than that the rest of the toppings are added 'Subway Style'. Not a problem.

The meat was a little cold (after cold toppings? I don't think it was that hot in the steam table) but tasty and well seasoned. Vegetable toppings were fresh and the sauces good. I kept thinking about how good Brisket would of been in the bowl.

I was able to cut the pita sandwich and show the layering but no matter how I worked a straight line in the bowl it never became presentable.

Falafel

Nicely crispy on the outside and soft inside. Excellent dipped in the Hummus.


Smooth and creamy with a nice note of tahini. Even though it was a large order it seemed a little small.


Just fine. A little loose but there will always be variations. Once again, on the small side.

All in all a fine visit. The meat could of had a little warmth but maybe I could of eaten it before snacking on Falafel, Hummus and Soup.

Still one of my favorites.

Next weeks explorations...

Monday Brew Day (12/10 4:45 to around 5:45)

Granite City Food & Brewery
992 Willow Rd, Northbrook

I've been putting this place off as I got a vibe of it being too commercial but I have decided to visit. Especially since the recant visit to Short Fuse was somewhat commercial also.

Friday Lunch Out (12/14 12:15 to 12:45)

Max and Benny's Restaurant (Jewish Deli)
461 Waukegan Rd, Northbrook

I've been thinking about a nice Corned Beef/Pastrami Sandwich paired with a bowl of Mish Mosh ever since Spiro's Deli was mentioned (not nearly a Jewish Deli ).

Tick Tock...

I Naffed on Thursday, remembering from this thread that I hadn't been in a while. That green sauce...sometimes I think you can put that stuff on a shoe, tuck it into one of their pillowy pitas, and I'd pay 5 bucks for it.

Keep up the good work, Panther!