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Chutney Villa South Indian Cuisine
Category: Restaurants Indian Indian [Edit]
147 Broadway EVancouver, BC V5T 1W1
Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant
(604) 872-2228
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
33 reviews for Chutney Villa South Indian Cuisine
Review Highlights
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"They also offer a vegan Wednesday night feast for $16 - I..." In 3 reviews -
"All in all, it was a great experience." In 3 reviews -
"1) it's an array of all vegan items." In 5 reviews
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33 reviews in English
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Review from Mlle S.
4/4/2012 1 photo
Excellent indian food, nice atmosphere, good service. Best meal we've had in a long time!
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Review from Eric B.
Vancouver, BC
1/18/2012
Chutney Villa is a very good place. A very very good place. For around 10$, you can get a very fresh, very tasty Indian meal. The lunch special that is. If not, for around the same price of the other Indian restaurants, you can get a great meal.
The service is great, the ambiance is great and the food goes all along with it. Went a few times and will go a few more. It is always ALWAYS consistent, and it's expected for "fine" cuisine, and expensive places. -
Review from Beverly W.
Vancouver, BC
1/13/2012 3 photos
I ordered a fish molee Taali at Chutney Villa. The taali comes with "rice, veggie sambar rasam vadai pachadi and dessert" which makes the meal more filling in my opinion. I was impressed with the amount of rice they gave you. Hey, rice is cheap and I would like to have a decent portion to go with my curry. (See Maurya Indian cuisine review where there wasn't enough rice!) There were lots of fish pieces so that was also good as well. I did not like the "soup" as it was too bitter for me.
My husband ordered a lamb curry dish but he felt that there was not enough lamb pieces. There was definitely a lot more sauce than meat from what I saw.
My huge gripe about this place is the service. The server was pretty nice but she was the only server looking after the restaurant. The place was probably about 70% full with 1 server. There was another lady but she seemed to come and go and did not attend to tables. I asked for a hot water but the server forgot. It took her forever to process our bill. We did not get our glasses refilled during the meal. This place could use another server when it is busy so that getting our bill and paying can be less painful. It was sad to end the evening on such a terrible note!
Other than the disappointing service, the food is good and filing. Expect at least $20 per person before taxes and tip for dinner. -
Review from Tamara L.
12/15/2011 ROTD 2/23/2012
Firstly, let me say plainly that I am NOT very experienced with Indian Food and that when I typically go for Indian I get Butter Chicken (or/aka Chicken Tikka Masala) and garlic naan. Such is my whiteness when sitting at an Indian Restaurant.
So, you can imagine my disarray, confusion and moderate disappointment when I discovered this place has narry a Naan or a Butter-Anything to be found on the menu. Damn. Damn damn damn. I quickly scoured the menu looking for the 'next whitest' thing that I could find and we finally settled on the Chicken Devilled ($19), Chicken Kothu Rotti ($10) and a Murtabak ($11).
... I still don't know what the hell any of those things WERE, but they were pretty yummy. The Murtabak was my favourite-- imagine the equivalent of an extra-stuffed Indian Quesadilla... With less cheese and more chutney.
I found the prices of the dinner items a taaaaad high-- going back in the future I would likely just stick to the Appetizers & Tiffin menus.. which are smaller portions, but still adequate and filling.
I won't lie; The meal could have been more pleasurable with some garlic naan... But I basically feel that way about ANY meal. A burger & fries would be made more pleasure with garlic naan... Lasagne? More pleasure with garlic naan. A nice slice of moist chocolate cake? GARLIC NAAN ME! .... I just really like garlic naan.
The outside of this restaurant is a bit shabby. So I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped in an it was so nice, warm and welcoming. Our server was a young lady, dressed in a beautiful sari who spoke perfect english and was happy to patiently describe menu items and give sound, confident recommendations.
I'd definitely go back here.... even though I am still disappointed about the garlic naan. -
Review from Peter S.
10/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
$9.95 lunch is a saweeeeet deal.
I grabbed a couple to-gos on my bike ride a few weeks ago, and they made it back warm and dirty good.
I had the chicken curry (not sure what kind, just asked for not hot), it was amazing. And ordered the Tamarind Fish curry for the lil lady.
We had sauce from one end of the kitchen to the cat scratching post. Holy chutney, these guys know what their doing! -
Review from Suzanne T.
Vancouver, BC
2/15/2012
I LOVE this place. I traveled throughout India for over a year and this South Indian food is as authentic as it gets. The masala dosas are amazing, as are the curry thalis. Oh and the Thanga Manga is to die for. I have food sensitivities and I really appreciate how conscientious they are here. The food is clean and fresh and not oily or over spiced. I tried another South Indian restaurant on West Broadway and some of the dishes and chutneys smelled a little rancid. It's so nice to find an affordable South Indian restaurant that really cares about the quality of the ingredients and that puts attention into the ambience. If you want to experience REAL Indian cuisine, this place is definitely worth trying.
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Review from Alexandra S.
Vancouver, BC
11/27/2011
Yelpers, thanks for helping me discover this place! I had an hour for lunch and a meeting around the corner when I yelped for local lunch options, and this is what came up. I loved it, and we've since come back for a couple of lovely dinners, too.
Definitely a different palate from your usual Vancouver Indian, so well worth a visit to try a somewhat different -- and seriously delicious -- set of flavors. -
Review from Thor T.
8/24/2011
Dinner at Chutney Villa was a most pleasurable experience, from the cooked-to-order Ceylonese and South Indian dishes to the solicitous and friendly service. All of us ordered the Thaali versions of different dishes, among them the "Mutton Devilled" - boneless pieces of goat dry-rubbed with an enticing mixture of spices whose heat slowly increases to fiery hot in you mouth after a while. The Pepper chicken came mixed in with a myriad of spices, including cumin, fennel and coriander. It was impeccably fresh and made for compulsive eating.
We also liked the Prawns Chettinad (the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu, a state in South India, is famous for their masalas containing dried flower pods, chilies, tamarind, star anise, and fenugreek), the prawns perfectly cooked in the redolent and heady spice mixture.
The cooling buttermilk drink called Moru was the perfect accompaniment for the food, including the fried cauliflower (Aachl Varuval) and spinach fritters (Keera Vadal).
The effervescent and charming Ms. Muralee came over to the table for a nice conversation on the intricacies of Indian food. Delightful. -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
7/5/2011
Maybe I'm just more of a North Indian food fan. Maybe I hit Chutney Villa on an off night. Maybe ... I was just whelmed.
I've had Chutney Villa bookmarked for awhile. It's a very plain-looking restaurant, just lines of tables and statues of Ganesha (as seen in the employee lounge of the Quik-E-Mart) and other Hindu deities along the one wall. No candles on the tables; more room for the food served on stainless steel plates.
We ordered some deep-fried cauliflower served with chutneys, a paratha stuffed with beef, also served with a curry sauce for dipping, and the Wednesday night special, vegan platter with rice and papadum. The cauliflower appetizer was effing delicious, hot and crispy, and now that I see others' reviews, I see we're not the only ones who found it so. Next came the paratha, which I ended up having all to myself when it became apparent that it was stuffed with not only beef but also onions, lots of them. Oh my husband and his aversion to onions! (Someone out there, here's a restaurant idea: onion-free cusine. The anti-onion market is bigger than you think.) Finally came the vegan platter with about 50 types of curry (okay, maybe 6) plus three chutneys and a tapioca-pudding-like dessert.
Indian food can be an optical illusion - it looks like small portions, but it fills you up quickly. We ended up not finishing a whole lot of the vegan platter. The server seemed laissez faire, and didn't bother to pack up any of the vegan platter leftovers, and with the paratha, didn't include any of the dipping sauce. Hrm.
I didn't find the food or service here to be especially outstanding, so I guess Chutney Villa is just another tick on my list now. Done, next.Listed in: Pleasantville
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Review from Lisa O.
Vancouver, BC
2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
I couldn't even eat my meal it was so bad. The server (and lunch menu) were extremely vague and unhelpful. I had 4 options: veggie, fish, chicken or lamb. No more info was given. When I asked "what kind of fish is it?" I was told "a white one." when I asked "what kind of sauce?" I was told "curry." "yes but what kind of curry?" "Indian." what arrived was a stinky slop that left me feeling ill.
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Review from Wendy R.
Port Moody, BC
11/6/2011
Yummy! So many sauces, so many flavours--all freshly made, all good.
My friend and I shared a meal and 2 appies and there was more than enough food. Good service. Would definitely go again. -
Review from Alex W.
1/8/2012
Amazing food, knowledgeable staff, the atmosphere is great for a nice romantic dinner. I don't know all that much about Indian food, but everything I came across, or looked at on other people's tables looked, smelled and tasted great!
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Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
4/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Definitely the second-best Indian food I've had in town. The price point is lower than Vij's, though, so that makes Chutney Villa the best mid-range Indian food I've had in town - and I've had a lot of Indian food.
The service staff were knowledgeable and accommodating. Sometimes it's very intimidating visiting an authentic ethnic restaurant as a vegan. Language and cultural barriers can result in an awkward experience. This was not the case at Chutney Villa. They are acutely aware of which items on their menu are vegan and which are not.
They also offer a vegan Wednesday night feast for $16 - I have yet to attend. I'm waiting for the perfect date to take there.
We ordered the deep-fried, battered cauliflower florets to start. I wish I remembered the name of them - but I'm sure someone else has written about them here. Holy moly! They rival Nuba's Najib's special as best use of cauliflower of all time. These nuggets of joy melted in my mouth, and the array of four chutneys we had to dip them in created a varied and interesting eating experience. Also, there were SO MANY of them. I shared a plate with a friend and we probably didn't both need an entree after that.
A+ recommended. Now, who wants to be my date for Wednesday night? -
Review from Louise G.
We've planned to try this place for a while and I have no good reason why we didn't. Now that I have, I am SURE we will return again and again.
Service was top notch. Decor was lovely but not over done. Music at the appropriate volume. I must be turning into my Dad, but that's one of the things I am noticing more and more these days. I am also not a big fan of poorly lit establishments. There's a fine line between romantic, 'mood' lighting and not being able to see the menu or the food. We visited during the day so the lighting was not an issue. I will report more on this next time we visit for dinner.
Food was DELICIOUS. Everything was divine. We'd ordered a lighter meal for lunch and found that it satisfied our hunger well enough. Yet I couldn't leave one grain of rice on my plate. It was all so good. They bring a tray of chutney to compliment your meal: coconut (savory/sweet), onion (spiced but not hot), cranberry (sweet) and mango (I think it was mango). Because everything was so delicious, I just didn't want to stop eating. I found myself working on spoonfuls of chutney. I said to my boyfriend that I think this was equivilant to eating jam out of the jam jar. Coconut chutney. It's been appearing in my dreams.
We will definitely return. They do a weekend brunch of South Indian food that they call Sunch. I'd also love to try some of their dosas which I saw being served at another table. I would consider this a 5 star place but would like to return a time or two to ensure they are consistent.
COCONUT CHUTNEY!!!! om nom nomListed in: Mainly Main, VEGETARIAN
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Review from Evilyn T.
4/8/2010 3 photos
Never judge a book by its cover! We have passed by this place a million times, and after doing a quick Yelp search to find Indian food close by we found this little gem. The place with the big orange awning? Really? They have all these great reviews? Well, we better check this out.
I wanted something hot and spicy since it was pissing rain, and it was a quick car ride away. We were seated quickly and our waitress let us know about the Wednesday night special, where you get a plate of rice and eight small curries to go with it, kind of like a curry sample plate. Cool! Let's do it! The BF enquired if this plate would be enough for one person, and the waitress told us no, but we decided to only order one and an appy, and risk it. Living on the edge, I know!
We had the Aachi Vadai which was cauliflower cooked in a lentil batter, and it came with four different chutneys for dip. And all of them were awesome! There was a coconut curry, a cranberry banana one, an apples and spice one (that tasted like it could have been in the middle of a pastry, but spicier), and another one... that I can't remember....(even though the waitress laid everything out on the table for us and told us what each one was.) D'oh!
We then had our curry sample plate, which had eight vegan curries on it, and again, the waitress went through and told us what each one was, and which was to be eaten with rice. But honestly, I can't remember what they were, I was too busy shovelling them in my face. The BF ordered a tall glass of buttermilk with mustard seed and cilantro, so he was ready for the spice. I had a taste of it after some of the spicier curries and it did help, but I think buttermilk is a very acquired taste. Everything was really good, and the service was probably the best I have had in a while, which is why I am giving this 5 stars, so many restaurants have forgotten how to make their customers feel welcome, but this place has it dialed. I will be back fo' sho'!
And an FYI, we had LEFTOVERS, so the sample plate on Wednesday nights is enough for two peeps, but I guess it depends on how hungry you are. In the words of the BF "you'd have to be a fat starving bastard to finish all that!" (Keep in mind we did have an appy though, and I ordered two pieces of bread cuz I like to dip it in the curries rather than eat rice.) Grand total after tax and tip $41. They even gave us a lovely pamphlet with our bill regarding travel to South India from Idus Travels, a bit of a long shot, but hey why not?Listed in: Best of the best, Vancouver Vege-me-tarian.
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Review from arun c.
1/2/2012
Not sure what all the hype is about. This is not authentic South Indian Food to begin with.. Unclean Cutlery, Poor quality food, and Expensive !!! There are way better options in Vancouver than this one...Any restaurant that has not so many Indian Customers is a no go
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Review from Daniel S.
Vancouver, BC
1/13/2010
This is, hands down, the best Indian food I've had in Vancouver so far.
Me and 8 other friends just walked in on a Saturday night, with no reservation. The maitre d' was very polite and efficient in re-arranging tables without making a fuss. In general, service was really friendly (even trading witty repartee when someone at the table made a funny comment to them) and efficient.
Everyone ordered the Taali-style dish, which includes several different side orders and dessert (a sort of sweet custard made of lentils...maybe). I had the Mysore Lamb - it was fantastic. I heard really good things about the fish curry as well. The Taali platter is maybe 15% more food than I can actually eat without overindulging, and it goes for 17-20 CAD.
Note that, in their scale, "Spicy" is _actually_ spicy. I like spicy in general and usually go for the hottest option, but luckily I played it safe and got a good combination of spicy and flavorful. A friend ordered a "Very Spicy" version of a chicken curry and could not finish his otherwise delicious meal. If you've got a regular Canadian palate (whatever that is), go for "Regular".
All in all, it was a great experience. I spent maybe 30 dollars altogether, so I might not do this every week, but I definitely recommend the place. -
Review from Kelsey P.
Vancouver, BC
The $16 Village Feast plate that this place does every Wednesday is pretty neat.
I like that:
1) it's an array of all vegan items;
2) it's mighty tasty; and
3) you never really know which 8 items youre going to get since they like to change it up as they feel.
To me this place is like a diamond bracelet presented in gift wrap from the dollar store. From the outside you get a cheap and tacky feel (think giant orange awning and unnecessarily colorful mural) , but once inside it's a totally different story. Im not saying its completely posh inside, but definitely a lot nicer, down to the contemporary style dinnerware (lots of steel and glass).
All in all it's a great spot for some South Indian fare. Just don't order too many items when you come, the portions tend to be on the larger side (even for the appies) and the smaller tables become too full all too quickly. -
Review from Szeying t.
8/23/2008
I love how many great indian restaurants exist in Vancouver... and not just the usual East Indian fare, cos India is ginourmous, and like China, the cuisine varies geographically. I've had better Indian food just cos there's just so many different restaurants here. Our entrees were decent, we had the veggie murtabak which was very good, but the veggie korma was so-so. The chutneys here are mind boggling.. best thing about our meal.
Service is excellent and they have Tiger beer. Score!
We need to come back and try some other things like their brunch... but 3*s for now. -
Review from Lawrence F.
8/12/2009
I've driven by Chutney Villa a million times, and always giggled to myself--I don't know, the name just tickles me! But I had read some reviews and finally had lunch there recently.
Where I grew up there weren't a lot of South Indian restaurants so I was very excited. To tell you the truth I can't describe the exact difference; I just knew it was like rediscovering Indian food all over again.
The waitress was helpful, the service was pleasant, and my meal was divine...I had the lamb. The little dollops of different chutneys (I think) were eye-opening and the flavors were bright and fresh!
Delicious and I can't wait to go back--with all the friends I've raved to about it! -
Review from Reena M.
3/3/2009
I just tried this place this evening on a whim. I've always seen it as I pass by on the 99 B line and I've always been curious. And this evening we happened to pass it when looking for dinner place.
Upon entry, I was looking forward to the food because the chef, Chindi, herself was out seating people, and serving dishes and explaining them to the other diners. And the menu's had photo's from her trips to India, and they were quite fun to see. I was excited because she seemed quite passionate about what she was doing, and when one is passionate about food, it is apparent in the meal.
Every time I have South Indian food, it's typically vegetarian but my dinner companion was adamant about having meat in his meal so I ordered the KVC (Kozhi V.... Chenni-something) chicken thaali that came with rice, daal, raita, papadam, some sort of broth at the end to aid the digestion, and a yellow vegetable curry of some sort, and I ordered a masala dosa with sambar, to share. The food was all good. It did come with 4 different types of chutney which we both loved. It was interesting to try the new flavours. I chicken was spicy, but the other things were quite mild.
At the end, though the food was good, I'd say the overall experience was just okay because I've had good South Indian food for cheaper. Here I guess we're paying for the ambience. But for better, or just as good food, less the ambience, try Saravanaa Bhavan on Broadway and Oak.Listed in: A Coconut's Guide to Indian…
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Review from Parson M.
8/30/2011
Don't be decieved by the bland exterior. This inside has been renovated and is classy and comfy.
The food and service are fantastic. Everything is made fresh, and they serve several side dishes with your main course, each with a different strong flavor. If you ask and assure them that you can handle it, they will actually make your food really spicy, as south Indian food should be. Great chicory coffee, too. -
Review from Anil C.
Etobicoke, ON
7/21/2011
Excellent authentic south Indian food customized to your tastes using the
best ingredients (you can tell).... the ambiance was warm and friendly along with the service. We will be back for sure! -
Review from Vanessa G.
6/10/2010
More Chutney please.. !! What a great idea serving up a nice selection of Chutneys with your dinner.
I am a guru of Indian food and this place is good. I love Thali's and they have them. Great place to share some dishes.
I do find they are served slightly on the spicy side so beware.
The Dosa's are delicious too, and great for sharing.
I do find this place a little expensive though for what it is. It's a nice treat on a rainy day.Listed in: Main St. Bites
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Review from Janine T.
11/28/2010
Amazing vegetarian options and when you ask for spicy, it's spicy. I have been here about 10 times and the food is solid every single time and the service is amazing. The chutneys are to die for and so is the naan bread.
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Review from Liza B.
North Vancouver, BC
3/22/2010
I don't know why I waited years (years!) to try this place out. Perhaps because there are so many other options in Vancouver. But I was in the mood for Indian food the other day, we were close by and decided to finally give it a try.
We were not disappointed. I'd heard about the dosas before so we ordered a Masala Dosa. We also tried the dry lamb curry, Taali style, and a side of parathas. The meal was huge! Plenty for 2 people to share. Well presented. Nice flavors all around. Had fun trying out the different chutneys and side dishes that came with the Taali. The sweet mung-bean dessert was interesting but a nice finish to the meal. Wanted to order chais for after but we were too full!
The service was good, but maybe a bit distracted at times. We had to catch the eye of our server a couple of times but when she did come she was very pleasant and helpful. We saw a lot of regulars being greeted by name - always a good sign.
Will definitely come back to try their other dishes. Check it out. Don't delay! -
Review from heather B.
9/18/2010
What a great experience! The women who work hear are so friendly and helpful. They explained what everything was and made it feel like a family environment. The food was delicious, and it seemed healthier than the indian food I'm used to eating out. The selection was great and different because it was South Indian cuisine. A fantastic value. Will definitely go back. Now my new favorite Indian restaurant in Vancouver.
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Review from E C.
Vancouver, BC
6/24/2011
Food was very good and the chutneys are the best anywhere in Vancouver. The drinks are a bit expensive and overpriced. Why do they charge for a chai refill and serve in tiny cups.
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Review from Mario B.
9/18/2010
Great Food, very pationate owner and very welcoming....great service
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Review from K B.
9/14/2008
One of the best Indian restaurant I have ever been to! I have been here many times and I always have a wonderful experience. The atmosphere is charming and comfortable, the food is excellent and the service is friendly and efficient. This is one of those little gems of a restaurant, where you always feel comfortable, you trust that you'll have a great experience and you know you'll always leave satisfied.
I've tried so many things on the menu and a few of my favorites are the dosas, the mysore lamb and the chicken korma. Oh and, of course, the paratas. Try the chicken murtabak!
This is South Indian food which is different than what you'll find at most Indian restaurants and, in my opinion, way better. Everything just seems to be more flavorful, spicier, most inventive.
There are always several different chutneys (chutnies?) to choose from and they're all delicious, some spicy, some sweet. Some of my friends have no interest in the chutneys and prefer the food on it's own but I must confess that I am a chutney junkie and I think they really add to the dishes.
There are also many vegan and vegetarian options. A lot of Indian dishes are made with ghee but if you ask the server for suggestions, they will be happy to point you to which items are, or can be made, vegan.
Service: Excellent. The servers are friendly and are great about explaining what is in certain dishes or making suggestions. -
Review from Jason D.
Vancouver, BC
5/30/2009 3 Check-ins Here
UPDATE: Yes, Chindi sold the restaurant and I was admittedly nervous about sourcing my CV addiction. Mercifully, the restaurant was sold to a colleague of Chindi's who lives and breathes Sri Lankan/South Indian food and only great things have transpired through the transition. First, the space had a (much-needed) major renovation and looks less cafe-style and more sophisticated. There are now private booths lining the walls which give it a far more intimate feel. But more important than appearances is the food. Muralee has retained the same chefs and the menu additions and variations have only improved the quality of the food - an amazing feat. We had the chicken biryani, eggplant curry, chicken 65, and the savoury lamb curry that I get every single time I visit. For those who are already addicted, rest assured, you can continue to get your fix. For those who haven't yet had the chance, I urge you to find out for yourself what happiness this food can inspire.
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Admitted, Chindi is a close friend. But I was a fan of Chindi's culinary genius before Chutney Villa existed. Over the last 5 years, I've brought many friends in from all different walks of life and not one of them has failed to be greatly impressed. The lamb curry - any of 3 - is seriously addictive. I don't mess with the vegetarian foods so can't comment. But if you're looking for large portions of incredibly decadent South Indian food (not North Indian: cream-based foods), then Chutney Villa is your Eden.
My picks: Chicken 66, Paratha, Lamb Curry, Lamb Poriyal, Peppered Lamb, and the full complement of chutneys and raita...yum!
Taste for travel? Chindi also does culinary tours throughout India. While I've not yet gone myself, I know a couple people who have and loved it. -
Review from Syb H.
Vancouver, BC
5/7/2010
Very good: went here for Dine Out and felt it was good value & very nice Indian food. Not the prettiest place from the outside, but food makes up for it. Looking forward to going back.
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Review from Kate L.
Vancouver, BC
9/24/2010
My partner and I have come here few times and introduced friends to it as well. We are both vegetarian and there is always plenty of interesting dishes on the menu for us to eat. The food is always consistently excellent. The food is fairly spicy, the service is great, and they just do a tremendous job overall. We highly recommend both the eggplant and the egg kurma.
