You may have heard that Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company has been hosting an Indian food night on Thursdays. It’s true, now in it’s seventh week, it has been a hot spot each week.
One of the best things about ethnic food is walking into the restaurant and being immediately submerged in all the aromas. Scents that are so different from pizza or burgers, smells that bring your mind to someplace different, maybe even exotic.
That’s how I felt when I walked in to ChoCo last Thursday. The smell of curry wafted from the back of the kitchen and I was suddenly, painfully hungry. I had no idea what would be featured because you have to go to know, but I knew it was going to be good.
I haven’t had Indian food in a long time. So, I got my usual table (I had my kiddos so I like to go to the back corner), and settled in and began reading all the descriptions of the foods on the menu.
An Amazing Selection
Sometimes themed dinner nights offer maybe five to eight menu items. Not on this night – between apps and main courses and sides, there are 23 items. Now that’s called a menu devoted to the food featured!
Hmmm… what to get what to get? Tandoori chicken wings, madras squash soup, the Naan for an app. Maybe Chicken Korma with a creamy curry sauce or chicken curry with potatoes and peas in a spicy curry sauce?
Since I was the only one out of my trio of diners eating Indian, I only got one thing, otherwise I would have eaten way too much. I had to save room for the small chance that my kids wouldn’t finish their first — Indian night or not. I am a bit of a fry fiend.
I got the Chicken Tikka Masala which is braised chicken in a creamy tomato sauce served with saffron rice. You get to choose saffron or lemon rice, so why would’t I get the saffron?
I wish my iPhone did the food justice. The colors, the textures, the smell – all wonderful. I ate my dish with gusto and was curious about the other items that I had not selected.
So, I spent a little time at the kitchen counter checking out the food that was coming out. The Lamb Vindaloo which is chunks of lamb in a spicy curry sauce with raita smelled so good, and made me wonder, if I should order another dish.
However, I definitely think I will try the Aloo Tikki next time – which are potato cakes with a curry apple yogurt sauce. Now I know.
In addition to the food, there is an Indian beer available, Kingfisher. It’s not on the menu, but ask and you shall receive. I am not a light beer drinker, meaning golden in color. So, I stuck to a tried and true cocktail. Perhaps next year, they’ll offer Indian inspired cocktails!
I say next year because Indian night will be ending mid-May, so go ASAP, and when talking to manager Eli, he is confident that it will be back next year. The response has been really favorable from Islanders each week. So, Indian Food Night will most likely start sooner and be a bit more extensive.
According to JB, “And based on the reaction Chef Alex Nagi may select some of the big sellers to feature on the Copper Wok menu soon, and one day may open a small stand alone operation…Nothing firm has been decided yet”. Perhaps Indian food will be available year-round – whoohoo!
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