It is easy to miss Spice Grill although it takes up three storefronts in a nondescript strip mall. The restaurant offers worthwhile quality food and along with traditional Indian cuisine; Indo Chinese dishes are also offered.
Four people could have easily shared two large triangular samosas filled with mashed potatoes, cubes of potatoes and peas in a flaky crust. They were the best we have had in a long time. Another appetizer, that we had never eaten before, was Pani Puri, a popular street food in India, consisting of mini crisp hollowed out puffed balls stuffed with potatoes and chickpeas. A topping of a yogurt, mint and tamarind sauce and dried lentil sprinkles that looked like fried thin pasta, all added to the layers of flavors and tastes.
Tandoori chicken. Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
Pieces of chicken on the bone that had been marinated in yogurt and spices and then cooked in the tandoori oven, were juicy and moist. The menu states that the tandoori is the “tastiest way to barbeque chicken” and we agree. A bed of onions served as a base for this dish which was brought to the table steaming hot. It was just as scrumptious reheated the next day. A mild creamy curry sauce embraced tender lamb cubes in the lamb korma which was another favorite of the table. The combination bread basket contained plain naan, garlic naan, and onion kulcha, all which were perfect for dipping into the sauces.
Of the two Indo Chinese dishes we tried, the Gobi Manchurian was memorable, containing deep fried cauliflower florets which were covered with a spicy red sauce. Veggie Hakka noodles strewn with onions, string beans and green and red peppers had no discernible spices and reminded us of vegetable lo mein.
Gajar Halva (carrot pudding) and rice pudding. Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
Gajar halva, a carrot pudding, is like tiramisu in that every restaurant makes their own version. It is recommended, while kheer, a homemade rice pudding was soupy and not worth ordering.
The interior of Spice Grill is plain with white napkins on cloth less tables. Service was attentive.
Open daily for lunch and dinner from 11:30 AM. An extensive buffet is offered at lunch and weekends from 11:30 AM to 3 PM. Check with restaurant for information and times.
Spice Grill, 111 Rt 46 East, Parsippany 973-882-4646; BYO