Vij's Rangoli in Vancouver

Thaks to the Internet (well, Fnarf, in fairness) for recommending Vij's, especially the cheaper Rangoli take-out/eat-in version next door. I, apparently, have never had good Indian food in my entire life. The best analogy I can think of is if you had only ever eaten at Azteca and thought that that was Mexican food.

They use fresh ingredients. They use plenty of spices. They give a shit. It was three times as good as the best Indian I had had previously, at Mirch Masala, which was 10 times as good as generic Indian buffet fare.

What I want to know is, why isn't there a truly good Indian food restaurant in Seattle? Or is there? Or as Tom says, basically, "Vietnamese: Monsoon, Indian:?"

Comments

[Shelley]

Eric is ready to pack the car and head to Vancouver tonight (he is a huge Indian food fan). Wondering if you have ever eaten at Mayuri in Bellevue? It's the best we've had in Seattle and I am just curious how it compares. Like - is it really like Azteca or closer to what you had?

[Paul]

I haven't eaten at Mayuri. I should try that for comparison! The best place I've ever eaten it in Seattle is at Mirch Masala, although that's gone downhill in the last year or so.

[malcolm elf]

Shelley, both Vij's and the cheaper Rangoli are in a little separate zone of greatness. It's not so much "Indian Food" as "5-star chef going to infinite trouble to improve upon a zillion-year-old cuisine while keeping it fairly true to its roots."

And, everyone should go eat at Chilie's in the U District. South Indian masala dosa, incredible soup...not Rangoli, not close, but still great.

And Vij has 1 or 2 cookbooks out, which are excellent. He's also serving on the board of the new Vancouver food truck program--basically being the curator so a big variety of good food gets produced.