A buffet is a great way to experience a cuisine for the first time variety and value without a big commitment. We had an unexpected free day recently and decided to try out this theory with one of Daughter’s friends, who had yet to experience Indian cuisine.
Though Mom and Dad have been enjoying the bold spices and heady aromas of Indian food for years, the kids have had only sporadic exposure, mostly as leftovers. We decided on Karavalli in Latham since they offer a lunchtime buffet for a reasonable price ($10).
We arrived exactly at noon and although the restaurant is small, we did not need to wait for a table. Daughter and her friend liked the space especially the blue color of the walls and the “bubbly bulbs” in the light fixtures. The decor was more than an afterthought, and each table had enough space to feel private. Mom ordered a cardamom tea ($2) and Son chose a root beer ($3). Daughter and her friend were more adventurous and opted for the mango shakes ($4). There were many wine and beer options on the menu, including champagne by the glass and several Indian beers. They also offered strawberry and mango lassis a combination of yogurt, water and fruit pulp.
9 Johnson Road, Latham
Food 3.5 C’s (out of 5)
Service 3 C’s
Family friendliness 3.5 C’s
As soon as Dad arrived, we descended on the buffet. The food was stationed along one wall of the restaurant starting with salads and sauces, 12 main dishes and finally, two desserts. The salad “station” consisted of two plates of raw, cut veggies (mostly tomatoes, peppers and onions) not especially exotic, but definitely fresh. The sauces were sitting in bowls over a large tray of ice and were decidedly more tempting. There were placards above each item with brief descriptions, which is especially helpful in an Indian restaurant, as the dishes tend to look alike. Two-thirds of the main dishes were vegetarian, which meant that Son was confined to the last third of the buffet. Although the girls were more willing to give the vegetable dishes a try, they also gravitated toward the chicken tikka (chicken in a mild tomato sauce) and tandoori chicken (chicken marinated in yogurt, ginger, garlic and left on the bone). All three kids enjoyed the chicken with Daughter declaring the meat “tender and mild.” They also liked the flavor and texture of the basmati rice.
Mom and Dad took a little of everything for the first pass and went back for more of our favorites the second time around. Mom especially liked the baigan masala a creamy eggplant/tomato dish that was spicy without being hot. Dad’s favorite was the chicken tawa cubes of chicken browned on a flat grill with onion, black pepper, cumin and the “chef’s own spices,” which he thought added a “nice kick.” Both Mom and Dad enjoyed the lamb dish, with tender pieces of meat and mushrooms in a mild brown sauce. Mom could have made a meal of the rice and side sauces, especially the sweet tamarind chutney and the tangy-hot lemon garlic pickle. Dad and Daughter also liked the aloo chana, a dish of potatoes and chickpeas. The two baskets of warm, naan bread covered in just the right amount of butter, served as a perfect vehicle for scooping up any leftover sauce.
The kids were not especially fond of the desserts: carrot halwa (grated carrots cooked in sugar) and kheer (rice pudding). For Son, the thought of carrots being a dessert immediately ruled out the halwa, and both dishes were flavored with cardamom, which has a distinctive taste that might catch the uninitiated off-guard. Dad, however, thought the kheer was “nice and soft” and Mom liked both the texture and flavor of the pudding.
Overall, we thought Karavalli’s lunch buffet fulfilled the mission of introducing the kids to a new cuisine. While Mom and Dad have experienced Karavalli’s dinner menu and would prefer that option, the buffet was a budget-friendly way to try new dishes. The service was cordial and our water glasses were never empty for long. We give Karavalli 3 C’s for service, 3.5 C’s for family friendliness and 3.5 C’s for food.
The Family Chow hails from the Capital District and will be contributing regular reviews of area restaurants based on service, food and family friendliness.