New India Chaat Cafe, Milpitas

We went to the Chaat House in Milpitas for dinner today. The restaurant is near the Jain temple and is in the same complex as New India Bazaar and Sathya Sweets.

The menu is loaded with Chaat items, North Indian Entrees and Roti/Naan. We ordered a Bhel Thali ( which serves Bhel Puri along with a 3 course meal) and a Gobi Paratha. The Thali also comes with a yogurt based drink called Chaas.

The thali can comfortably satitate the apetite of one person unless you just walked out of Thar Desert. The taste is very consistent but it is never very bad.

Paratha is usually very safe bet and is served with a side of Raita and Indian pickle. I ordered Mango Lassi with it and it was horrible. Tirupathi Bhimas serves better Mango Lassi than this place.

The price is right for the quality and quantity of food. I will not take my date here definitely mainly because of the ambience and also it is very distracting to keep a conversation with a television in the corner playing Bollywood numbers.

Taste-O-Meter : 5 Tummies
Wallet's Loss: $$

Go There For: When there's nothing at home to eat and Top Ramen doesn't interest you, Take Out

Tirupati Bhimas, Milpitas

I frequent Bhimas at lunch since it is close to work. The restaurant is packed with office-goers at lunch time and you may want to reserve a table ahead of time if you are going as a large group.

The lunch menu has quite a few well sized "thalis" (a 5 course South Indian meal served with bread, rice and dessert). To satiate the less hungry ones, they also have mini thalis ( 3 course meal). I would recommend their Dosas. They have a wide variety of dosas and they are yumm. Finish off your meal with a delicious South Indian Filter Coffee. Do not try the mango lassi or rose milk.

The food is moderately priced. Here is odd and funnt thing about this place- your dosas come out of an entrance labeled "restroom". Don't lose it- the entrance is labeled restroom but the entrance leads to three rooms with doors - one for kitchen and one each for the restrooms of each gender. So, don't freak out. Your dosas are coming from the kitchen only. Kindly ask the owner to change the labeling.

The dinner menu includes Indian Chinese and I would recommend it only if you have never ever tasted Indian Chinese before.

Taste-O-Meter: 6 Tummies
Wallet's Loss: $$
Go There For: Afternoon Lunch, getting introduced to Indian food, Dosas

Pasta Pomodoro, Santana Row

Pasta Pomodoro is an Italian Chain. We visited their joint in Santana Row at an odd late evening hour on Friday. The walls are adorned with pictures from Milan and this might be a good location for a second date.

We tasted their Minestrone soup and the Vegetarian Risotto. The soup is very sumptuous and I would rate it as moderate in terms of taste. I do not have much to write about the risotto. It is best forgotten.

In terms of other vegetarian options, it is the standard fare in the form of Penne Arraibatta and Fettuccine Alfredo. The price is good for a Sanata Row eatery.

If you are thinking about eating dessert, I would recommend a quick, small bite of the Tiramisu. They taste delicious and authentic.

Taste-O-Meter: 5 Tummies
Wallet's Loss: $$$
Go There For: Dessert, Night at Santana Row