Some of my fondest childhood memories take place in true hole-in-the-wall restaurants in the now defunct Greek Town neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan. These were the eateries where dinner was a four hour event with multiple courses and kibbutzing with the owners. The food was fantastic, the service was no less than loving and the atmosphere was more akin to a good friend's dining room than business. Hungry Seattleites looking for a similar experience, albeit with a different ethnic spice, should head straight for one of Sanjay Sharma's two Indian restaurants in the greater Seattle area.
Sharma opened Masala of India in the Northgate neighborhood nearly a decade ago and has since established a second location, Mirch Masala, in the heart of Capitol Hill. Though it's now officially a chain, the Masala brand has stayed within the family and it has retained all of the quality and charm that made the original restaurant so famous.
The key to Masala's success is size. Both locations are cozy, allowing the staff to provide the personalized service that is so essential to this kind of dining experience. Their interiors are respectable but not fancy, with just enough cultural paraphernalia to not be overbearing. I was personally treated with the cordiality and can-do attitude I haven't seen since those by-gone days in Greek Town.
As for the food, it truly does taste homemade. That term gets thrown around a lot in the restaurant business and it's almost never true, but my meal at Mirch Masala had what I can best describe as a "kind" flavor. My Kashmiri Chicken was generously spiced and naturally savory. It had an especially aromatic tinge to it thanks to the unmistakably fresh herbs that rounded out the complex flavors in this entirely unpretentious dish.
The Vegetable Samosa is a must-have for every meal. Large, crispy and especially good with a sweet curry sauce, these pastries really pop. For a slightly spicier, bite-sized experience, definitely go for the Pakora, available in vegetable, chicken, fish, and cheesy Paneer varieties.
Masala also has a full range of Tandoori dishes, from lamb and chicken to a variety of seafood variations. Naturally, they also have an extensive vegetarian menu with creative selections like Vegetables Jalfrazi, a fresh saute with spices and special house sauce.
The desert selections are all equally tempting. Basmati makes some of the most elegant rice pudding in the world, though it's difficult to pass up other traditional sweets like milky Rasmalai or a few Gulab Jaman. These hot Summer months lend themselves to the Mango Ice Cream and the chilled yogurt Lassi beverage, served in both sweet and salty varieties.
The Masala restaurants are fairly easy on the wallet, especially considering the quality of the food. Expect to spend approximately $20 per person for a full dinner, including an appetizer, drink, entree and dessert.
Masala of India in Northgate and Mirch Masala in Capitol Hill are certainly excellent choices for those looking for a go-to Indian spot in Seattle. They do dine-in and carry-out, as well as delivery and catering. These restaurants get my highest recommendation.