I found Spice Avenue a couple of years ago through a Yelp search for Indian food. Each time I have made it back to the Jackson area I have tried to make an effort to eat here. You wouldn't believe what is inside the plain cinder block building you encounter when pulling into the parking lot. That parking lot could use some work. The neighboring area around the restaurant is also not quite inviting. But ignore the area, park carefully and enjoy a wonderful meal.
Spice Avenue is decorated appropriately for an Indian restaurant. The booths were large and comfortable and there were tables as well. There was no bar.
There is a buffet at lunch, but I have only ever come for the evening meal. So I can't speak to the flavors or temperature of a buffet. But who wants a buffet in a place like Spice Avenue that has a great menu? The waiters have all been very attentive and always eager to please. Never once have I had bad service.
This evening I had a Taj Mahal beer. I like craft beers and specialties, never having been a big brewery fan. This was good. I was also served a water in a copper clad cup - no ice. But I'm told that that's pretty much traditional in India and when eating at an ethnic restaurant why not indulge in how it is traditionally served? People often forget that.
An Indian cracker was served with three sauces: mint, sweet and sour tamarind, and a pepper sauce. The mint was good, and the pepper sauce will light your mouth on fire. I thoroughly enjoyed the sweet and sour tamarind sauce which was made with honey and very pleasing.
I ordered the Aloo Tikki as an appetizer. I have never had a paneer (a small patty). This is a paneer made of aloo (potato) that has cottage cheese mixed in, and fried. The menu advertised a mint yogurt sauce. But, it came out with a stewed chick pea, cumin, onion and cilantro topping. The aloo paneer was great, the topping even better; so I wasn't really disappointed for not getting the mint yogurt sauce.
The main course was goat Dal Gosht. Goat? You bet. Don't turn your nose up at it. Americans forget there are other meats than chicken, pork, beef and shrimp. What came to the table with a bowl of wonderful basmati rice was a delicious stew of goat, onions, coriander and drunken with lentils. It also came with a small accompaniment of chopped cabbage, peppers, peanuts and carrots that when placed on top of the stew gave it a wonderful texture. I love vindaloo but I think that this comes real close to replacing that as my go to dish.
I saved room for dessert and ordered Ras Malai. This is a small paneer with coconut flavoring served in a milky, sweet cream sauce. It was superior. Definitely a have-to-get-again dish.
With tip it was around $40. It was worth it. Other reviews of this restaurant have complained about the service - it was superior for me; the flavor - absolutely delicious and I have been to many Indian restaurants; the temperature of the food - it was hot and fresh; flavor - it was outstanding and perfectly Indian; or amount of food - I took some home.
If you want American food, go to Applebee's. If you want a great Indian food experience, Spice Avenue is your place in Jackson. read more