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

E&O Trading Company, San Jose

Nicely done interiors, great service, decent cocktails and lots of good appetizers!

That pretty much sums up E&O for a veggie. If you're looking to have a hearty meal, there is just a couple of veggie entrees in the Thai Curry Fried Rice and the Pad Thai which you will have to request without the shrimp.

However, the appetizers are surprisingly tasty and quite filling. You should try the flat breads, particularly the Panir Cheese Naan with the Mango chutney and Raita. The Roti Paratha with the dipping sauce was also quite tasty though not authentic.

If you like strong smooth drinks, definitely get the Tiger's Paw. Follow that up with the Fried Rice and the Indonesian Corn Fritters! And you're one happy person.

Although there arent too many choices and not a place to frequent, the service is very good and overall is most definitely worth a visit.

Taste-O-Meter: 6 Tummies
Wallet's Loss: $$$$$
Go There For: Cute Date, Night at the Downtown

Pizza Antica, San Jose

A pizza place in Santana Row...you'd expect it to be good. And you wont be let down.

The restaurant has some outdoor patio seating with heating as well as comfortable seating indoors. Though it is a place where you could take your date, some of the seats are too close to the other ones. I was left gaping at the food on both sides of my table until my own pizza arrived!

There are two sizes, small and large. Small is definitely only for one person and the large serves two and still leaves space for dessert. The pizzas are thin crust style, not too crispy and are quite tasty. The good part was that the pizza wasnt too greasy...though I was dissappointed that mine had arugula just sprinkled on top instead of being baked with the pizza!

Well..you can either go with a pizza from the menu or like I did make your own! The pastas are just so-so and for the price I wouldn't recommend it greatly.

And be sure to try some of the dessert! The Warm Apple-Quince and Huckleberry Crisp with Vanilla Gelatto is mouth watering!

Taste-O-Meter: 8 Tummies
Wallet's Loss: $$$$$
Go here for: Cute Date, Family Event, Casual Date

Vaigai, Sunnyvale

Vaigai provides great taste, authentic food and probably is one of the better South Indian restaurants in the South Bay. The food is excellent from the mouth watering snacks, a la Idly, Vada and Dosas, to the rice dishes. The Tiffin combos and Mini Lunches are a great option for the uninitiated in South Indian food. The more adventurous person should most definitely try the Kothu Parotta or Chilli Parotta. And dont forget to finish your meal with a cup of hot, strong South Indian filter coffee.

The one thing that might leave a sour taste during peak hours would be the lack of prompt service. This is not surprising considering they have only two young men doing all the service. All in all, however the experience is quote good and Vaigai is a must go if you relish South Indian Food.


Taste-O-Meter: 6 Tummies
Go there for: Office Lunch, Casual Date
Wallet’s loss: $$$

Loving Hut, Milpitas

If you thought vegetarian chinese food is an oxymoron, think again. Not only is Loving Hut a total vegan restaurant, the food is sumptuous and leaves you asking for more.

The restaurant is way nicer than one would expect from a place on Barber Lane and is very clean. You will straight away notice the plethora of choices on the menu. The Ocean, Earth and Sky classification of the menu is quite unique and captures one’s imagination

The veggie rolls make for a good appetizer. For the noodle fans, the Singapore Mi-Fun is extremely tasty and don’t forget to try one of the Tofu dishes - I recommend the Kung Pao Tofu - with a bowl of rice.

Taste-O-Meter: 6 Tummies
Go there for: Office Lunch, Casual Date
Wallet’s loss: $$$

Shan, Santa Clara

Okay..so you are meeting your tandoori chicken loving, meat eating, carnivorous friend of yours for lunch! And you’re in the mood for some good Indian/Pakistani food too... Shan’s the place my friend!

Yes, it is a meat lover’s restaurant with the Boti Kababs and myriad Chicken dishes. But they have some pretty tasty veggie dishes. Try the Paneer Masala if you’re here the first time. The Dhaal Channa, Saag Paneer and Mutter Paneer are pretty tasty dishes that go really well with hot Tandoori Rotis or Naan. The Paneer dishes are quite heavy and buttery but are not Oil Well imitations like in other Pakistani restaurants.

The Vegetarian Biriyani here is first class and should be eaten with gusto! Dont forget to have a cup of complimentary Chai (Tea) with the meal.

You can now burp as loudly as your friend who gulped down an entire poultry farm.

Bottom line: Tasty food, reasonable prices, fairly unhealthy and yet terribly enticing.

Taste-O-Meter: 5 Tummies
Go there for: Quick Lunch, Weekend Hog
Wallet’s loss: $

NOTE: Another branch of Shan is located at Sunnyvale, but the Herb prefers and recommends this location. Menu is same at both places. Taste seems better at the Stevens Creek Location

Komala Vilas, Sunnyvale

The daily fare is unlimited rice, sambhar, curry, rasam, kootu, buttermilk, pappad, pickle and dessert. The keyword in the above sentence is unlimited so this restaurant should be among the top places you should eat if you want to eat as if your stomach and brain were not connected. The food is served in stainless steel plates so if you are a eco-junkie, this is the place for you.

The prices are a little unfair($25.91 for two) and the food quality has deteriorated from top class to moderate. I will not take my date here unless you want to break up with her/him. Excellent place if you want to fill your tummy on a saturday afternoon and follow it with a nap until late evening.

The breakfast menu is a completely different animal and warrants a separate review of its own.

Taste-O-Meter: 6 Tummies
Go there for: Weekend Hog
Wallet’s loss: $$$$