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Let’s Try… Cross Culture
Subdued lighting, soft voiced servers who greet you gracefully, comfortable seating. A new wildly expensive dining experience too posh to be called a restaurant? No, a new Indian venue in the Princeton Street. This new restaurant has all this and more.
Located at the site of the former Zen Palate, Cross Culture offers a diverse menu that focuses on flavor and authentic preparation. Upon our gracious reception when we entered, my friend immediately asked if the maitre d’ was from Punjab. Beaming, he said yes and that set the tone for the evening.
The space has been redecorated in the warm tones that reflect the rich spices that are the hallmark of the food. Banquettes and well-spaced tables provide a comfortable seating area. We arrived around 7p.m. on a Monday and as the room filled, we never were aware of the other diners. Conversation was never overwhelmed by either loud chatter or Musak.
My friend surprised me with a bottle of Malbec designed to blend with the flavors of northern India, and we were off devouring the menu. The mixed vegetarian appetizer for two ($7.95) gave us a nice taste of samosa, pakoras, and papadam. The menu does offer a wide away of vegetarian dishes, more than one usually sees. Appetizers range from $4.95 for vegetable samosas to $20.95 for the Tandoori Mixed Grill with chicken, meat, and fish. I opted for the lamb vindaloo ($17.95) on the theory that if it were pure heat for the sake of heat, that told me something and if it were heat with rich flavor that if it were heat with rich flavor told me something else. I am pleased to report that all I remember is the deep taste of spice complementing the light-as-air rice.
- By E. E. Whiting
October 6, 2010