pondicheri

Whenever I go home to Houston, Texas, there are a few spots that I simply must pop into for tasty eats. Pondicheri, an industrial-chic spot for unique Indian dishes inspired by the streets of Mumbai, is always at the top of that list. Come by for breakfast and enjoy some pumpkin chai oats or masala eggs, or stop in for lunch for one of their classic Mumbai street wraps (aka Frankies). The curries and thalis are not to be missed either- I’m partial to the vishnu thali which offers a flavorful mix of veggie options like green masala cauliflower, beet soup, smoked eggplant, endive slaw, and a saag sesame cutlet. Plus that carrot roti is to die for!

Beyond the delicious savory eats, a visit to the upstairs Bake Lab & Shop is absolutely necessary as well. From honey mesquite cake to cumin cheese buns to chai pie to various flavors of mithai (chickpea fudge), there’s endless options for something sweet to end your meal. Or stop by for a coffee and pastry in the morning! Either way, you won’t be disappointed. I love their use of traditional Indian spices alongside more Texan-inspired flavors- it makes for some truly unique baked goods! There are several vegan and gluten free options as well if that’s your jam. Grab a crack ball or two for the ride home!

inday

There's a ton of fast-casual, grab & go places in NYC these days, many of which offer fresh, healthy, and seasonal American cuisine. There are far less options, however, when it comes to fresh, healthy, and seasonal Indian fare (other than Babu Ji... RIP). I love Indian food, but I most commonly eat when ordering from my local spot off Seamless, and while it's always delicious, sometimes it can feel a bit heavy. Inday is born from the belief that food should provide nourishment for your body as well as balance for your life. Their food is both delicious and exciting, as well as mindful and nutritious, which is practically everything I want in a meal! The menu offers nutrient-dense, balanced dishes with both meat and vegetarian options, that just happen to be completely gluten-free! Inday follows the bowl-concept, so pick from one of their many unique and flavorful options, or create your own! I got a rainbow veggie mezze bowl with super greens, turmeric slaw, red cucumbers, chana masala, blackened eggplant, chickpea ranch, fermented carrots, and a lentil crisp! Talk about a mouthful- but I loved each and every component! I'm looking forward to trying some of their new seasonal offerings, as well as the delicious sounding beverages and sweets. The chaga charcoal chai, golden mylk chai, and the avo cocoa dessert are most certainly calling my name- a return trip is in order very soon!

babu ji

 

Babu Ji has been on my must-try list for a while now, so I was excited to go the other night with my husband. Our consumption of Indian food usually involves delivery, so this was a welcome improvement. If you make a reservation at Babu Ji, then you must get the chef's table menu, which is a tasting menu chosen by the chef. My husband has had that before (and thoroughly enjoyed it), but this time we wanted to choose a la carte, so we walked in right when they opened before they got crowded. According to their site, the Hindu term Babu Ji refers to someone with a "mayor of the block" type personality, and they have successfully created a restaurant with that ethos & vibe. The menu offers a nice mix of Indian street food, regional curries & Tandoori specialties, all of which are made with high quality ingredients. Several of their items are also vegan and/or gluten free, so it's an enjoyable meal for almost everyone. We each got their housemade specialty (kulfi on a stick!) for dessert, which ended the meal on the perfect sweet note! Scroll through below for a peek at our flavorful dinner!