It's no secret that I enjoy Indian food wherever I go - it's one of my favorite cuisines, and the country has such a rich and varied culinary tradition. My home near Washington, DC, USA, is near many excellent Indian restaurants, and I have also eaten in the homes of Indian friends. I had heard that French/Swiss Indian restaurants put their own twist on some of the classic dishes, so I knew I had to try one while I was in town! Nirvana got some excellent recommendations, was open on a Sunday (a rarity in this area), and could handle our party of seven.
The restaurant is conveniently located near the main entrance to CERN and has its own medium-sized parking lot right off the road. The interior of the restaurant is richly appointed in shades of purple and gold with original art on the walls. Our server was incredibly friendly - in French and English. The table came with some rolled up cones of papad (a favorite snack of mine), and we were given 3 carafes of water upon request.
The menu largely featured dishes that I was familiar with, so I picked two favorites to share with my dining partner - baignan bhaarta and palak panir. Both were creamier than I usually find in US restaurants, but incredibly rich in flavor. Even if it's not "traditional," that may be the best baignan bhaarta I've ever had! My dining companions also raved about their dishes, especially those who got the vindaloo and found it much milder than their usual standards - but perhaps even more delicious. I also had to try the ghulab jamun flambé, because it took my favorite dessert... and set it on fire! It did not disappoint, on flavor or flames. The process left the delicate spheres with a hint of orange liqueur and caramelized sugar.
It is worth noting that by US standards, this is a very expensive Indian restaurant. I believe we spent about CHF40 apiece, which is more than even . The costs add up quickly. But the quality and service is worth it. read more