Tarka Indian Kitchen

Did that last date at the Clay Pit leave you feeling uncomfortably American and like one huge, un-cultured taste bud? Maybe you just pretended to know what kind of curry you liked, or perhaps you were overwhelmed by the spice and didn't want to reveal this to your dining partner. Either way, you're not alone. Clay Pit is expensive for the frugal student, and not accessible for a quality Indian meal on the go in a busy lifestyle.

I've found the perfect solution to the above problems this past week, however. A new restaurant in Sunset Valley, Tarka Indian Kitchen is a sister restaurant to the Clay Pit and offers quick and quality Indian food for take-out, or a more casual Indian dinner dining experience. Whatever type of Indian dish you're looking for, Tarka serves fresh and authentic food, and satisfies everyone from the Curry connoisseur to someone looking to grab some quick biryani with vegetables.

The restaurant opened nearly a month ago and has already acquired popularity from the neighborhood. During my dining experience, 30 bucks payed for a meal that satisfied three. We ordered Wine, Chicken Pakoras and garlic naan bread to start off with and then Biryani with shrimp, vegetable kabobs and coconut curry to feast on. While the food came out pretty quickly it tasted just as quality as a cooked meal from the Clay Pit, with the perfect amount of spice and combination of flavor. The menu is simple and easy to understand for those not as familiar with Indian food, and, drumroll please...is a lot cheaper than The Clay Pit with smaller portions and entrees for less than ten bucks.  

My favorite part about the place was the dining atmosphere. Although it's mainly resturaunt  meant to be faster, for a meal on the go, the inside is lovely for a casual dining experience, or for enjoying wine on the patio while waiting for your dinner. I'll definitely be back.