The UnTourist

After the suckitude that was yesterday’s lunch, I wanted something good and decided to try something new-to-me, a local Viet restaurant. While I won’t speak to certain fish sauces, the food is good and can be downright excellent. The last truly good I had was about ten years ago in Philadelphia.

That changed today. GreenLeaf Vietnamese Cuisine in West Lafayette, IN, is good. The Pho was something I wish I had found this winter. In fact, the Pho Tái Bò Viên was good enough I just about tipped the large bowl up and just drank the broth that way at the end. The beef balls and steak were good, but the combination of it (and some extra peppers and a bit of lime) was quite tasty.

The spring rolls I got as an appetizer were made fresh, and the peanut sauce served with them devine. Not your average spring roll, and a reminder of what a good Vietnamese spring roll can be.

Service was excellent, and my host/waiter/etc. (he seemed to have multiple duties) gave good information and suggestions, and service.

This I can recommend, and I will be going back soon I hope to sample more.

Oh, as for yesterday, let’s just say that I went to a place I hadn’t been in a year (consider it the worst of its particular ethnic cuisine in the area) to give it another try. Net result was a lunch that ended up sending me home from work, and had even the dog asking to stay out in the heat and away from me. You won’t find it on any of my food lists or reviews, that’s for sure.

GreenLeaf — recommended.

Street food: often some of the best food you will find anywhere, though it can be a bit of a gamble with problems later. I’ve heard about Indian street food, even seen bits on TV about it on various travel shows. Now, thanks to an enterprising family, I’ve gotten a small taste of it.

Shaukin Indian Fast Food is in south Lafayette, at the corner of 350 South and Concord Road. A couple of people I know from India had highly recommended it to me, and last Saturday I finally had the chance to try it.

The restaurant is small, and is geared towards to-go orders. That said, they have a small table, almost a coffee table, and several chairs where you can sit in cramped delight. From the moment I came in, I was made to feel welcome and the host/proprietor spent a good bit of time talking to me and explaining the different options.

At his suggestion, I explored three dishes: Chicken Frankie, Samosa Chaat, and Dahi Vada.

Chicken Frankie is chicken and vinegar-soaked onions served in a flat bread wrap. It was tasty, tangy, and could be described as an Indian version of the soft-shell taco to someone unfamiliar with Indian food. Nice, not too much, and the spices were strong without being overwhelming.

My favorite of the day was the Dahi Vada, lentil-based “balls” with curd and spices. The flavors were fantastic, and showed what can be done with spices when used fresh, right, and in the right amounts. Not hot, but rich with strong flavors and delight.

The Samosa Chaat was my second favorite, even if the samosa could have used a bit more thawing. The combination of hot samosa with the yogurt, three different chutneys, chickpeas, and onions tickled the senses, while the flavors played well with each other. Taste, texture, temperature — the senses were all used in this delightful dish.

Also, many places claim to serve Lassi, a popular Indian drink made with yogurt, but few truly do. Shaukin does the real thing (or as close as the food police are going to allow), and the Salted Lassi was perfect with the food. Think I’m going to have the Mango next time…

My one complaint is the location — I wish it were closer to downtown or even north of town, as I don’t get south all that often. I may well make it a monthly visit just to sample the rest of the menu, as the Chilli Paneer and Pav Bhaji are calling to me. If you want Indian street food without having to worry about playing health roulette, then go visit this unique and delightful establishment.

Recommended.

Another year has gone by, and it is time to look at some of the Lafayette area’s best of 2009.  Right now, that means food, and here are some of my picks of what is best in the area.

American/Steaks
TC’s in Battleground
Quite simply some of the best meats in the world, literally.  I’ve never had a bad steak or prime rib there, and usually their worst is on par with the best of some much more renowned chains and establishments.  So much so, that on Prime Rib Thursdays it is not unusual to have people driving in from all over Indiana, and even in from other states, for dinner.  I really do need to see if smoked pork chops are still on the menu, as the last time I had them they were delicious.  I’m not going to swear to anything else, but their steaks are top rate.

FTC Disclaimer:  I’ve had some free nibbles and bites there.  It doesn’t affect my review of their steaks/prime rib, though I do wish the free bites weren’t by the bartender as those hurt…

Chinese
Szechwan Garden
945 Sagamore Parkway, West Lafayette
Consistently the best Chinese food in the area.  The lunch specials are good and at a good price, and the dinner selections cover more range.  The orange beef is quite good, and it is easy to see why it is a specialty of the house.

Cupcakes
Yellow Bowl Bakery
918 Main Street, Lafayette
Okay, the whole cupcake thing sort of escaped me for a long time.  Eating some of the products of the Yellow Bowl Bakery, however, shows me why they became such a hot food commodity.  I’ve not sampled their cakes, but have had slices of several of their pies.  In point of fact, a Kentucky chocolate pecan pie they did was, I must reluctantly admit, better than my Momma’s pecan pie.  I hear good things about their cakes and other products, but need to limit sweets in the new year, at least for a while.

FTC Disclaimer:  I am working with the Yellow Bowl Bakery and Katy Gunderson on Soldiers’ Angels Cooking with the Wounded.  I wish I could say that their pecan pie wasn’t better than my Momma’s, but the relationship doesn’t change facts.

General
Corner Cafe/Bar, Brookston
When I was volunteering at Wolf Park, the Corner Cafe became something of a tradition for dinner between closing and the start of Howl Night.  Trust me and don’t get the 3-piece on the fish and chips, two is enough for two quite often, and the burgers are large as well.  If you are looking for fine cuisine, this is not the place.  If you seek a good solid meal away from

Ice Cream
Silver Dipper
1317 Roundtable Drive, West Lafayette
The ice cream is outstanding, and a good selection is always on hand.  If you are a chocolate fiend, go for the Zanzibar chocolate.  Otherwise, take your time and work your way through.

Indian
Bombay
111 South River Road, West Lafayette
While I have been told of a new place I need to try, Bombay continues to hold the crown for now.  The food is usually good and also more traditionally spiced.  While none of the local establishments does a truly good vindaloo, Bombay comes closest.  They also handle groups with ease, and don’t object if you order off the menu at lunch time (unlike another establishment).

Sushi/Japanese
Heisei
1048 Sagamore Parkway W, #C, West Lafayette
While Heisei continues to hold the crown, that may well change in the coming year.  It still has the best sushi and offers a good range of more traditional Japanese food with options for more traditional seating.  Coming up fast, however, is Maru Sushi, which if it continues to improve as it has been doing, may well take the sushi crown and even the traditional crown.  Giving Heisei an edge is the larger location, but that alone will not save it if the challenger pushes.

Korean
Gaza
3457 Bethel Drive, West Lafayette
While there are other establishments with a wider menu range, Gaza has become my Korean restaurant of choice.  It is much more than just Korean Bar-b-que, with a hot and spicy tofu soup that has become a winter favorite and some spicy rice and noodle dishes that are quite good.  I’m in a bit of a rut there, but that’s okay as the rut is a tasty and satisfying one.  So much so, that it has become comfort food for me.

Mexican
Taco Rico
1325 Sagamore Parkway N, Lafayette
Hands-down, this is the best Mexican food I’ve found so far.  While they don’t offer tamales, they do offer a range of traditional Mexican dishes.  The chicken with mole sauce is very good, and while I haven’t worked up the courage yet, they do offer menudo soup and other staples of the real Mexico.  Tacos al pastor and sopes are a favorite there.  I admit I do go to El Rodeo for pollo ala diabla, but for all else I go to Taco Rico.

Pub
Nine Irish
119 Howard Avenue, West Lafayette
While the Black Sparrow can and does give it a good run for the money, my favorite pub remains Nine Irish Brothers.  The food is good, the drinks decent, and you have good owners and a friendly staff.  From groups and special events, to just nipping in for a pint and some nibbles, the original location remains my favorite pub in the area.

Middle Eastern
Olive House
105 N. Chauncey Avenue, West Lafayette
My understanding is that they split from the nearby Blue Nile, which is runner up, but edge them out based on a Pakistani chicken dish that I have come to love.  The staff is friendly, the food good, and the location not bad.  It really is neck and neck on this one, but Olive House gets the vote. I will note that I had high hopes for another establishment, but a visit with both bad food and bad service blew them out of any shot at the title or my further patronage.

Thai
Exotic Thai
3614 State Road 38 E, Lafayette
Finding really good Thai food is not as easy as it sounds — especially if you have real Thai and homecooked Thai before.  Hands-down, Exotic Thai is the best in the area.  There is fancier, and there is plainer, but the food is good and the staff friendly and considerate.  I love a place that if you ask for it to be prepared Thai-style or native, they ask if you are sure and will even check with other staff to be extra sure before they put the order in.  True Thai is more than heat, but the heat is hot and they want to be sure you will enjoy their creations.  The restaurant has also recently expanded their menu to include some Japanese favorites and a sushi bar.  The sushi is not bad, but I still have to finish working my way through the Thai portion of the menu first.  Almost any of the spicy basil dishes they have are worth trying.