They wanted to try some Indian food and also check out some of the stores there. There was also another ulterior motive for their cultural plunge...
because MN's daughter was going on a two week exchange trip to India courtesy of the Girl Scouts. She wanted to get acquainted with some of the culture prior to her trip. Although the food at Surati Farsan Mart doesn't represent all of what Indian food has to offer, I thought it would be a fun introduction rather than a boring old buffet.
They were decorated for the holidays...
One of these days, I'll be brave enough to buy some of these bulk snacks. I need to learn the recipes in which to use them as well.
More fried snacks and dessert items...
Here are the majority of the items that we ordered (listed on the receipt later in the post).
Many of them involved something crunchy with a savory and sweet sauce along with either chickpeas or potatoes to add heft, along with onions and cilantro for the herbal flavors. Below, Pani Puri.
One of my favorites...Bhel Puri:
Delhi Chaat:
Chole Puri:
Khasta Kachori:
The Masala dosa...
served with a sambar (chunky and spicy soup)...
Pieces of the crunchy tidbits in the Delhi chaat meshed well with the cool yogurt and the mixture of sweet and savory sauces (tamarind and mint).
The spicy potato filling of the masala dosa...
The "damage". not bad for five people.
Back to those desserts...
As with our lunch, I was given free reign to select our desserts (claps happily with manic glee):
Rather than naming them all (because I don't remember what they were), you can just refer to one of my older posts or look at the eatery's website.
I halved the pieces to share amongst us. We, the adults were more adventurous than the teens and tween.
MN wanted to check out this store, which used to be called Nikki's Fashions a long time ago. Her daughter needed to wear a long skirt for her trip.
Lots of fancy traditional clothing here as well as more casual outfits...
These pointy shoes were so cool!
In addition to dresses, saris, and tunics, they also sold fabrics so you could make your own outfits.
I think saris are so beautiful. They are nine yards of fabric strategically tucked and folded and draped in such a graceful manner. I'd be afraid of it falling apart on me though.
MN's daughter was able to find a long skirt for her trip while TC found some henna in a tube for mehndi designs. Only $1.99.
Madras Cafe is now gone and is now Chennai Tiffins. Another change is Bombay Bazaar ethnic market is now SAI Whole Foods, not to be confused with "Whole Foods Market" (as if!).
I only took one shot in here but it was still pretty much the same store but with a different name. Lots of neat products that I want to explore for a future visit, especially the ready made pani puri shells.
I wanted MN to see another Indian market so we went to the strip mall that also has Pho Cow Calli and Yogurt Swirl (where the girls got snow ice and yogurt)...
I picked up a few of these little snacks. Now I have to figure out how to prepare them.
Now I have to figure out how to prepare them.
Bombay Fashions
9494 Black Mountain Rd.
San Diego, CA 92126
(858)271-4279
There is no website but here are the reviews from you know where.
Last visit to Surati Farsan Mart
October 2012 (which links previous posts)
Previous visit to the previously named Bombay Bazaar, now renamed as SI Whole Foods :
January 2013
Previous visit to Namaste Plaza:
September 2013
Fast forward to a month later...her daughter is back from her trip and we are excited to hear all about what she learned and did there. I'm also curious to see any photos she might have taken and what foods she tried.
Too bad there's no Indian markets close by here, otherwise, I'd be up there every week trying something new. It's a cuisine worth exploring and full of fresh and healthy ingredients and a mixtures of flavors and textures.
2 comments:
All the food looks so good. I don't eat alot of Indian food but your post makes me want to visit that Mart. How was the service there? I've ALWAYS wanted to try that long crepe looking thing - what does it taste like?
Hi Faye - For the service, you order and pay at the counter. When your food is ready, you pick it up when they call out your number. The dosa is pretty good but the flavor will depend on the filling. I liked it but it was kind of spicy.
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