Restaurant Reviews
Royal India
Royal India
329 Market Street,
Downtown San Diego
www.royalindia.com
619-269-9999
Take your family to Royal India and enjoy a feast fit for a king. This elegant, award-winning Gaslamp restaurant is the perfect place for any special occasion.
My mother-in-law, Marie, likes Indian food, so my husband and I took her out for dinner during her recent visit. Street parking was easy to find on a Sunday evening. The interior was beautiful and modern, and our servers were friendly and helpful.
We started with samosas ($5 for two), a sort of triangular turnover stuffed with spicy potatoes and peas, and savory dal lentil soup ($6). The hearty soup could have been a meal in itself.
My husband Frank had the butter lamb curry ($18), a mild, flavorful sauce with cubes of soft lamb meat. I chose mango pineapple curry with chicken ($17), which was sweet, fruity and spicy. Marie and my son James, 6, shared a plate of tikka masala ($18), roasted chicken with a creamed tomato curry.
Garlic nan ($5), flat bread slathered with fresh garlic and cilantro, aromatic basmati rice with raisins, almonds and spices, and chai tea rounded out the meal.
Dishes are spiced to taste, so you can ask for mild, medium or hot curries.
I was impressed by the delicious fresh sauces dotted with whole and ground ginger, coriander, fennel and cilantro. It was a wonderful upgrade from some Indian restaurants, which, I suspect, use premade sauces.
James devoured his food and some of mine as well. We were too full for desserts, but I’ll save room on my next visit. Royal India offers traditional desserts like kheer, saffron rice pudding with nuts and raisins, and gulabjuman, (imagine donut holes drenched in a sweet, flavorful syrup) and innovative twists on familiar dishes, like cardamom crème brulée.
Prix fixe dinner combinations and an array of vegetarian curries, tandoori specialities (smoked over mesquite in a clay oven) and breads, are available.
If you aren’t familiar with Indian food, a buffet is the best opportunity to try a wide range of dishes and discover your favorites. Whether you are a devoted fan or new to the cuisine, Royal India will be a treat.
Lunch buffet: Monday – Friday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Champagne Brunch: weekends from 12 to 3 p.m.
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Kristin Powell plans to visit Royal India again to try the coconut pineapple curry. Mmm…
The Counter
The Counter
1923 Calle Barcelona,
Carlsbad
www.thecounterburger.com
760-652-5480
Take a seat at The Counter, and you’ll realize this is more than just a burger place. You’ve entered a world of gourmet, build-it-yourself burgers that are custom-made to your liking. Made fresh from 100-percent natural Angus beef, this is one burger that doesn’t disappoint.
My family and I arrived on a Saturday night at 6, and there was a one-hour wait. This restaurant is located in a trendy outdoor mall, The Forum, so it was a pleasure browsing the shops to pass the time.
Once inside, the real fun began. Our waitress gave us each a pencil and clipboard featuring an extensive list of toppings for custom-built burgers. The categories included patty type and size, cheese, fresh toppings, sauces and buns. The kids loved being able to check off exactly what they wanted on their burgers.
The full bar offers an extensive wine list and craft beers on tap. My husband, John, ordered Fat Tire, and I ordered Stone IPA. Lauren, 12, and Gillian, 10, each ordered lemonade ($2.50).
John selected a 1/3-pound beef burger with jalapeño jack cheese, grilled pineapple, jalapeños, tomatoes and spicy sour cream sauce on a honey wheat bun ($8.50). I opted for a 1/3-pound beef burger with Tillamook cheddar, grilled onions, roasted corn and black bean salsa and ginger soy sauce on a honey wheat bun ($8.50).
My daughters chose a 1/3-pound beef burger, one plain and one with American cheese and grilled onions on a hamburger bun. Burgers are cooked medium—pink throughout—so we requested medium well for the children’s burgers.
Other fresh topping choices include homemade guacamole, honey cured bacon and sautéed mushrooms. With more than 20 delectable sauces to choose from, there’s something for everyone: basil pesto, chipotle aioli, peanut sauce and sun-dried tomato vinaigrette. My daughters opted for the not-so-exotic ketchup on the table.
You order side dishes (such as fries) separately. We opted for “The Fifty-Fifty” ($4.95)—a plateful of fries and tasty, shredded onion strings. My husband and I also each ordered a side salad ($3.25) made with organic mixed greens topped with tomato, red onion and dressing. Other sides include Turkey Chili topped with cranberries and scallions, and the Hobo Pack, an assortment of grilled vegetables topped with fresh herbs.
We topped off our awesome meal with the warm, chewy Caramel & Chocolate Brownie ($4.95 + $1.95 a la mode). This treat is enough to share—although you may want to keep it for yourself after trying a bite. Other desserts include Apple Crumble, Key Lime Pie and Oversize Chocolate Chip Cookie.
The décor is modern industrial and the atmosphere is lively and fun. This restaurant attracts people of all ages—couples, families and large groups all were settled in and enjoying the night out. Some folks ate at the bar and watched ball games on the large screen televisions. Whether you’re looking for a family night or date night, The Counter is sure to please.
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Ronni Rowland is a mother of two and freelance writer.
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