I'd like to say that there's really only one thing to know about Thali in New Haven, Connecticut
and that is, the food is extraordinary, but that wouldn't be the truth. The truth is that it isn't just about the food or the drinks; it is about the people and the atmosphere.
When we arrived at Thali and I absentmindedly opened the front door, I was immediately aware of a lovely fragrance. As I hadn't even entered the restaurant yet I stopped to find the source of this wonderful aroma. As I scanned the foyer I noticed the lovely copper chafing dishes lining the floor along the walls and filled with fresh fruit.
I opened the next door and as I entered I was greeted by the warmth and broad smile of the Maitre d' who offered to check my coat!! I was surprised again. Our party handed over their coats and he showed us to the bar.
Once at the bar, I began to notice the decor the blend of hip furnishings combined with the warmth of deep reds, oranges and earth tones. It was for me, a good blend of cool and comfy.
We took our seats at the bar and I asked the bartender to bring whatever he thought I'd enjoy. He quickly returned with "Hyderabadi Cocktail" made with Lime Vodka in a cucumber/honeydew puree topped with a touch of fresh mint. It was surprisingly good. I enjoyed the coolness of the cucumber and melon combined with the tang of the lime. He also served peanuts mixed with a masala sauce, "to open the taste buds."
After some pleasant conversation with the bartender and one of the regulars at Thali, I was really beginning to look forward to our meal. To be honest with you, Indian cuisine has never been on the top of my list. I am vegetarian and not so big on curry. Well, little did I know that that was about to change and dramatically.
Our waiter looked to be in his early 20's and was quite charming. He waited a respectable period of time before offering to take our order. I was impressed when I said, "I am a vegetarian and I would like you to select whatever you think I might enjoy." And he didn't even flinch! He smiled the most delightful smile and said, "It would be my pleasure." I thought, "Wow, this could be heaven or this could be hell." To my great relief I found that, it was definitely the former.
My first course was a dish call Bhei Poori. It consisted of Sweet sour and spicy emulsion of *Chat, puffed light rice and lentil noodles. The presentation was simple and elegant. The taste was delicious.
*Chat is a Bombay or Delhi street vendor style snack usually topped or filled with chick peas, potatoes, chutneys and tiny thing Chris crackers or lentil noodles.)
The course was paired with a crisp glass of dry white Austrian wine.
The salad course was called "Chopped Kutchumber" and consisted of chopped red onions, tomatoes, cucumber and chickpeas in lemon juice. It was flawless.
For the main course I enjoyed some of the most savory dishes I have ever eaten.
Beginning with, "Gobi" which is Cauliflower in hot cilantro garlic sauce, a basket of Nan (unleavened bread) and Roti (Whole wheat flat bread), Parda Biryana (Slow cooked Basmati rice with fresh herbs, cardamon, mint and saffron, and "Sunheri Bhindi" which was juliennes of okra crisp fried and dusted with tangy powdered spices.
Each and every entree was aromatic, flavorful and sumptuous to the last bite. Our waiter paired them with the PERFECT German Reisling which was bold enough and robust enough to stand up to the spices and complexities of Indian cuisine. It was a flawless combination of spices and sweetness.
Speaking of sweetness...Dessert was just as lavish as the rest of this meal.
I had Creme Brulee with Orange zest I could taste the flavor of what I think was Grand Marnier and cream together. It was superb.
This dessert was paired with and a 2006 vintage Martin Pasler, Austrian Dessert wine which had a fruity aroma with good depth and tang. It also had a remarkable finish.
In my opinion Chef Prasad Chrinomoula, has certainly reached his goal of, "changing the way America thinks about Indian food". I suppose I can only speak for myself, but my experience at Thali was nothing less than amazing. I can now say that I am a Big Fan of Indian Cuisine!!!!
Thali, Regional Cuisine of India
4 Orange Street
New Haven, Connecticut
