I don’t like to be involuntarily subjected to the same recorded music over and over again, and at this time of year the repetition can be difficult to avoid. At India Kitchen sometimes the background is classical music from the Subcontinent; today it sounded like instrumental music from the movies.

The food was perfect for a chilly, blustery day. The temperatures are higher today than they were yesterday, but somehow it looks and feels more like winter. We were warmed by the lentil soup from the buffet. I meant to try the tomato version, but was drawn back to enjoy a second bowl of the lentil one. Naan bread came piping hot to the table.

The napkins are still generous in size and still of cloth. Although others did, I did not indulge in tandoor chicken or in chicken vindaloo or in saagh paneer. My favorite was the dish of lamb kofta meatballs, in a tasty sauce and made with no mystery or unsightly ingredients, just beautiful ground meat zestfully seasoned. I also enjoyed a dish of cooked cabbage, one of potatoes and peas, and one of large yellow lentils cooked with dices of tomatoes. The chicken biriyani rice and the pilao rice were both delicious. There were samosas and pakora, which I sampled bits of from others’ plates and enjoyed, but I was very happy that I devoted my attentions to the particular dishes that I did. I loved it that cardamom, one of my favorite spices, was in generous use in one dish.

Except a couple of times when I’ve seen tables of students dining on vegetarian dishes delivered from directly from the kitchen, buffet dining there is all I know so far, because I’ve never been to India Kitchen in the evening. I know that there’s now food at the Whip-In Parlour Cafe and that the Eva B’s Bakery & Cafe across from the Congress / Oltorf H-E-B prepares an Indian meal on Fridays. The survival of India Kitchen south of the river has probably served to encourage these newcomers. Anyhow, India Kitchen saved our lives today with wholesome and tasty food that will see us through the workday, no matter how long it turns out to be. Thank you!