On entering the restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised by the warm palette of colors that adorned the space, from the golden yellow walls to the deep red fabric cushioning of the booths and chairs.

Indian cuisine — GOOD Indian food — is within an easy drive for all of us. Fond destinations would include Swad Tandoori in New London, the Mint Leaf and Mirch Masala in Groton, the Royal ...

Indian restaurant chefs who typically have more than one masala dabba stock them based on what the spices inside will be used for. “That is what we learned to cook with,” Tyagi says.

The meal choices are substantial. Appetizers include fried calamari, wings, Chicken 65 which is spicy deep-fried chicken chunks, and Chili Paneer which is Indian cheese cubes in a tangy sweet sauce.