For just about forever, I’ve been dying to get to India. It’s on my long list of Places I Want to Visit Before I Die, right after Brazil and Chile. For now, the closest I come to India is Devon Avenue in Chicago. We get there so often thatmy sonknows which restaurants serve which specialties – and as soon as the waiter arrives at our table he’s sure to order his favorite on his own: a Mango Lassi – a refreshing drink of plain yogurt mixed with pureed mango.
The all-you-can-eat buffet at Tiffin is my favorite. Be sure to try the masala dosai, rice flour crepes with with onion and potato filling), chole Peshawari (a chickpea/potato dish direct from the Afghani border; and the fried cheese balls soaked in honey for desert. Kids will enjoy the tandoori chicken and the fresh naan: take them to the rear of the restaurant where they can watch the chef prepare their naan in the traditional tandoori fire-oven.
Pick up your daughters some pretty and inexpensive gold bracelets from the women’s boutiques that dot Devon. Hit the supermarket (Patel Brothers is our favorite) for a case of mangoes when they’re in season – and all the spices you’ll need to prepare your own special Indian feast at home.
PATEL BROTHERS
2610 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 262-7777
TIFFIN
2536 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 338-2143
