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Sure, Five Guys and Taco Bell satisfy the standard American hunger or that late night drunken craving, but if you are looking to expand your horizons and avoid indigestion, Chautara on State Street is a superior choice. A mixture of Indian, Tibetan and Nepali food, Chautara’s cuisine is unique and health-friendly. Don’t be intimidated or disgusted by the word “tofu” because the menu aims to suffice the vegetarian or the meat lover. With seven different options of grilled or saut?ed tofu dishes, including takari (Nepali vegetable stew), lamb curry and chicken curry, there is something for everyone to choose from. Most of the entrees are served with vegetable and rice and are well portioned. If you still have doubts, starting out with one of their two appetizers; samosa (potatoes and peas) or pakauda (vegetable fritters) would be a good way to test your palate. Chautara has a lunch and dinner menu and also offers a traditional Nepali kahir (rice pudding with a cinnamon citrus sauce) for dessert.
Located close to the Capitol end of State Street, the restaurant itself was quaint and homey with brightly-colored d?cor. Traditional Indian paintings were hung on the walls and festive music was playing in the background. Obviously not the place you would want to crash with after hitting the bars, but definitely a fitting place to study or go on a lunch date with a family member or significant other.
When asking for a recommendation, the waitress suggested the seitan, which conveniently happened to be the second most expensive thing on the lunch menu at $11, but was worth the hole in my pocket. The seitan was a wheat gluten saut?ed with eggplant and assorted vegetables seasoned with flaxseed, ginger and tamari. According to the waitress, it was like a cross between lamb meat and tofu, but tasted more like soft pork to me. The meal also came with a choice of dal (lentil soup) or salad. I mistakenly decided to go for the soup. For people — like me — who grew up on Campbell’s, testing out a more traditional version proved to be a jarring experience. Unfortunately the flies enjoyed it more then I did. However, the entree was well-seasoned, flavorful and just the right amount of food.
Contrary to the fine food and service, it is highly recommended you bring gum or mints if you plan on visiting Chautara, because the ethnic flavors stay in your mouth longer than chicken lo mein from Asian Kitchen.
Overall, the waitstaff was well knowledgeable on the descriptions behind the dishes and exceptionally helpful and polite. The waitress informed me Chautara has been around for 15 years, and judging by the setting and menu, it’s the kind of establishment that gets most of its business from families, business associates and vegans.
3 stars out of 5