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Between family and friends, I get asked all the time "What is
your favorite restaurant in the area?" With a smile I always ask, "Do
you like Indian food?"
Unfortunately, most say they've never tried it. Now, as we approach the
new year, let me please encourage you to set that goal to try something
new.
The
Torch of India has quickly become a family favorite in my home. As
various birthdays and other occasions are celebrated, many begin with a
nice family dinner at this delicious stop.
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Torch of India
348 B Merchant St.,
Vacaville 446-6356
Hours: Lunch buffet: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Dinner: 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Tuesday-Sunday
Price range for ... meal: $3.50-$15.95
Point scale:
Food: 47 of 50
Service: 25 of 25
Ambience: 9 of 10
Noise level: 4 of 5
Appropriate pricing: 9 of 10
Total: 94 of 100 |
This
restaurant is truly a "hole-in-the-wall" in the Vacaville downtown area.
With the front being almost hidden, you probably wouldn't notice it
unless you were really paying attention.
I was
delighted to find, during a recent visit for lunch, that the Torch of
India is still recreating itself, always bettering the quality of food
and the atmosphere. The added touches have brought in a warmth -with
warm yellow walls and draped fabrics dancing along the ceiling. Classic
artwork and beautifully hand-painted screens help set the mood.
The
main room has between 10 to 15 tables, with a large beautiful family
table in the back room. A hand-carved wooden window screen divides the
two rooms. A counter has been removed to make space for a warming table
for a small buffet.
And the
back room is relaxing and intimate for that special family occasion with
subdued lighting, music and candles lit all around.
As
always, I was greeted and seated by the extremely friendly host. In the
many times I've been there, as he is with everyone, the host has made me
feel right at home.
When
eating at the buffet, you pretty much help yourself, but there is also
plenty of service to go around. One thing that really impressed me was
that the buffet was constantly being replenished. Everything was made
fresh and kept fresh. The buffet was relatively small, but there was
plenty of food to go around.
A few
vegetables and three or four meat dishes were available. The chicken
tandoori, a marinated and season chicken baked in the clay oven, and the
butter chicken, were at the top of my list. The butter chicken was very
similar to a favorite of mine on the main menu, the chicken tikka masala.
With dark meat only, this seasoned chicken is also marinated and
seasoned and served with a mildly spicy tomato cream sauce. At the last
possible moment, butter is then added to the dish.
With
lots of flavor and an extremely complementary infusion of spices, I
again was treated with a wonderful lunch. The buffet was good, and I
highly recommend it. For $7.99, you can't go wrong.
Don't
forget to tell me what you think and Happy Dining!
More
recipes from Joe Mangiatore can be found at www.thereporter.com. He can
be reached at
features@thereporter.com. |
