Indian Oven

Indian Oven

Tandoori Restaurant

2006 West Fourth Avenue, (at Maple) Vancouver

(604) 736 5959 Open for lunch and dinner Monday – Saturday, dinner on Sunday

www.the indianoven.com

Accepts major credit cards

We had walked past this restaurant’s street-level sign many times before we tried it and have visited it often since. Rather steep stairs climb to the second floor where the customer discovers a welcoming entrance and a large room, lined by windows on two sides. From any table, there is a wide-angle view of the Vancouver skyline. In the summer, tables are available on the patio overlooking 4^th Avenue.

We always receive a cheerful and friendly greeting from the serving staff, who are accommodating and discreetly attentive without hovering.

The three of us declined the appetizers on this occasion – but only because they are mostly deep-fried - although we did nibble on pappadoms with mint dip while we contemplated the menu. Samosas (2) are on offer at $3.99 and pakoras, fish, chicken, or shrimp are $10.99 to $11.99.  

Entrées

The star attraction of this menu is the tandoori dishes. Cooked in a traditional clay oven, they are served on a sizzling platter and garnished with onion cooked to a soft caramel consistency, as well as green pepper. Servings are generous. There is a choice of chicken, fish, lamb or even paneer (a type of cheese), ranging from$9.99 for half a tandoori chicken to $15.95. You can sample several by choosing the tandoori mix, which is plenty for 2 or even 3, at $19.95. On this particular evening, we ordered chicken tikka, which was a generous portion of moist , tasty, chunks.

We shared this, as well as a malai kofta, a dish of mixed vegetables in a creamy sauce of nuts and gram (chick-pea) flour. Delicious and rich. Our third choice was a lamb biryani.

One portion of fluffy rice ($3.00) was more than sufficient. The naan breads (plain at $1.75) and a whole-wheat roti are also cooked in the tandoor. A great accompaniment to mop up the thick sauces.

Desserts

Although we like all three, keer (rice pudding), gulab jamun and mango ice cream, we couldn’t find room!

A board at the bar featured the nightly specials: martinis for $5.00 while a pint of Shaftesbury cream ale was $3.99. Otherwise the list of drinks included house wine (3 reds, 3 white) at $6.00 a glass/$15 a litre, beers (bottled and draft), martinis ($6.95), or non-alcoholic lassi.

We had plenty of food and the bill came to $42.10, plus $9.99 for drinks.

A group of 10 friends celebrating a birthday put their order in just before ours, yet we didn’t feel we were kept waiting.

We would recommend this restaurant for any season and for either couples or a large group. Even when it’s quite crowded it is never uncomfortably noisy.

If you prefer take-out, you can choose from the same menu.

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