Kabab Palace

Food, food, food! I write a lot about food! I love to cook as well as eat so thankfully there is room to do both as I discover my passion for Indian culture.

One of the better Indian restaurants in Bellevue I feel is Kabab Palace which is right near Mayuri Grocery and Video. I do recommend their lunch buffet as you get a decent amount of food for an affordable price, however I find their dinner setting to be nice to meet with friends. The quiet atmosphere and white linens lend nicely to a hearty lunch or celebratory dinner.

I was there for my birthday last year, actually, and the crowd favorite by far was the chicken tikka masala. I don't quite know exactly what the minute difference is between a nice tikka masala gravy and butter chicken (or paneer) gravy but both are fantastic. I think I like the tikka masala more because it is a bit spicier. Definitely get this dish.

I also recommend their biryani and, well, I haven't had a dish there I didn't like. They are also a halal restaurant so bonus for any Muslim readers! The staff was also kind enough to let some friends and I bring in Thums Up from the next door grocery. For those who aren't familiar, Thums Up is essentially Indian Coca Cola. The recipe is slightly different but eventually the Coca Cola company bought the brand and really now it is accurate to say its Indian Coke.

The devil is in the details, and while many desi restaurants will have a TV with some Indian show on, I never really watch them for long except here. I've seen and begun to learn about cricket, interesting pseudo local ads for companies and services which actually seem kind of sketchy to me, and when a movie is on I'll totally pay more attention. Its a small and cheesy touch that just makes the experience a little more fun. I'm sure there are others who could care less or don't think its appropriate, but I strangely like it.

Shalimar Grocery & Cafe

Have you ever been really hungry and needing groceries at the same time? You know how that turns out, you go to the store for 5 things, and your appetite convinces you to come out with $100 more stuff than you intended to buy?

So the best place to go to satisfy your appetite and finish your shopping is this great place down in Redmond called Shalimar Grocery and Cafe. Theres a wide variety of desi fare to shop for - groceries, personal care items, seasonal and festival items. I strongly recommend the phulka there in the clear package, they really are delicious and super fun to cook!

 If your hunger can't wait until you get your items home and into the kitchen stop by the cafe. The biryani is great and the chicken tikka masala even better. The chef who is there now is experienced as he previously worked at Kebab Palace for 8 years.

 If you're a non desi, it can be a little intimidating walking into a store and not recognizing things you typically aren't exposed to in your every day kitchen. Learning the differences between rice grains and lentils can seem daunting but I find that just asking friends or even the folks shopping can really open up new avenues of cooking and even inspire new friendships.

 If you're not ready to jump into learning how to make a Dum Biryani or complicated gravy style dish, then I recommend starting with some snacks. If you aren't afraid of having bad breath, Masala Peas are delicious, low calorie, and delightfully tasty as well as crunchy. I don't mind the punjabi mixes of dried nuts and ground chickpea based snacks nor the southern style Sev. If you're looking for sweet and savory, though, have some jalebi, gulab jamon, or even laddoo. Jalebi will be orange and look like a pile of red vines wound in a circle. Gulab Jamon are, in the words of an old coworker, "syrup-y donut holes," and laddoo are traditionally had to celebrate weddings but are also donut hole shaped. I like them the most and suspect because of that they are the highest in calories!

 Believe it or not, local DJ RDX is the owner over there and he's really pleasant to deal with. He will help you find what you need if you're a seasoned veteran of indian cooking, and if you're new to it like me he can give you some hints and tips. If all else fails, you can always pick up some Maggi noodle but I think he'll be able to help you find everything you're looking for!

 The only downside for me personally is making the trip over to Redmond from downtown Bellevue but sometimes its good to get out and get some fresh air. I'm also a fan of Inchin's Bamboo Garden nearby, but that is another post for another time!