I was burned out on Quenelle en Brochet and Pate du Champagne, so one night I opted for a Gunga…read moredinner. After all Switzerland and India are closely aligned and almost neighbors, right?
Walk through the door and breathe in the heady spices of long simmering lamb, chicken, and prawns. Listen to the Tablas and Tanpura snaking into your brain like a Banded Krait. You can recapture that sensation at home by playing a flute through your nose and humming in falsetto at the same time.
Settle into your cozy table and feel the ayurvedic vibe. Do not think about acid reflux...just yet. That's all mental anyway, at least till it works its way down to the labanza.
The Decor: Early Rajah, a nice family style family owned place layered over a former French Bistro that took a dirt dive. Yes, it has an Indian feel and let's call it comfortable. It was.
The Staff: One dude all alone and doing the best with a busy house. The waiter was like one of those guys at the Fair spinning plates on sticks, but a pleasant and efficient fellow was he.
Soon he will spin a plate of one lonely, almost crisp (as in yesterday) Papadum which will land at your table without the caddy of Mint Yogurt Sauce, Carrot Chutney, or Mango Lemon Pickle. Maybe Swiss Indians are more Spartan and economical, because all you get is a tired little disk for the table that's flirting with stale.
There is full Bar. But a Manhattan crafted by Mahatma? Naw. Stick with a beer. To complete the experience I suggest why not try an Indian brew? You have a choice of a Cobra, and well, a Cobra.
The Food: Next comes out the Garlic Naan. (One per order.) It was hot (temp), kinda chewy, and kinda garlicky. Somewhere between spongy and soft which is acceptable in a Naan and not too much in a date. But shouldn't the Naan accompany the meal? Fine, let's not quibble over the nibble as it was fine with my beer and I saved half for some serious scooping later.
Out came a heated dinner plate right from the oven or the Kitchen-Aid Dishwasher. This was followed by a tray full of the small dishes I ordered with my eyes.
Chicken Punjabi, a Chef's Specialty, with Two Sauces was actually simply moist boneless tenders in a dark green glop spiced as "Medium". No two sauces, but who cares, it was hot (temp again) and remember that an Indian "Medium" (spice) is a Swiss blast furnace. The sauce did it's job. Nose running, brow sweating, lips tingling, The spice was nice.
The Chicken was served with Basmati Rice chocked full of Chickpeas along with a bowl of Dal Tarka. (A good name for an Italian heart throb). This was basically Lentil Stew in a Tomato based sauce. Also, there was my personal favorite, Palak Paneer (which should have the consistency of heavy cream) with Indian Farmer's Cheese chunks. The dish here was frozen chopped Spinach with soft Onions and store bought Cheese and if it wasn't then it tasted like it. No matter, I ate it all anyway.
Finally, the Raita (Yogurt, Cucumber, and Tomato bits with a touch of Lemon) showed up late but better late than not. The chow was hot and this helped cool the bubbling cauldron of heat in my throat.
No dessert was offered (usually Gulab Jamun or Jalebi which are confections drenched in a cloying Honeyed Syrup). No Rice Pudding (a gift from Colonial times). No big deal, but they didn't any Bird Seed (Good and Plenty) in a bowl by the front door on your way out which is one reason why I go to Indian places. So, I went to the Hotel with the breath of a Bombay Wharf Rat.
The bill for two was 100 CHF which seemed a bit fat to me. Just sayin'.
Essentially, it was yeoman like Indian fare, and no better than that, and nothing you can't find anywhere and everywhere there are Indians which is anywhere and everywhere.
If the goal was to give my guts a rest and something to do besides work on the Fondue, Raclette, and Rosti then Spice of India succeeded.
