Royal Khyber

Royal Khyber Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: Chef/owner Arun Puri ventures beyond the cookie-cutter Mughlai menu served in most Indian restaurants, creating interesting spin-offs of familiar Indian dishes. There’s a full bar, and the charming maître d’, Ali, can mix martinis or recommend an appropriate glass of wine from the short list.

Food & Drinks: Start with the vegetarian snack plate, or go for the spicy tandoori kebabs with chunks of yogurt-marinated chicken, fish or lamb. The stuffed naan is a rather expensive side dish, but these tender morsels of freshly baked flatbread packed with ingredients like basil, onion, garlic or cheese are worth every penny. For mains, order the traditional curried dishes with a choice of three spicy sauces, or try one of the hearty vegetarian picks. The chef’s specialty entrées are plentiful and full of potent flavors, especially the butter chicken. One must-try item is “Khyber’s nectar,” a slow-cooked lamb shank that is tender and rich. The Friday lunch buffet allows you to indulge in several menu selections, and the Saturday street food lunch option highlights casual market fare. End with a five spice-infused masala tea and deep-fried goat cheese balls flambé.