Pure Bliss

In more ways than one, Balaji Bhavan is Little India's hottest eatery

Comments (0) By Josh Harkinson Thursday, May 18 2006

...continued from page 1

Troy Fields

One of the most popular items at Balaji Bhavan is the Madras thali.

Location Info

Map

Shri Balaji Bhavan Pure Vegetarian Restaurant

5655 Hillcroft
Houston, TX 77036

Category: Restaurant > Health

Region: Outer Loop - SW

1 user reviews	Write A Review
Save to foursquare

Details

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays.

Madras thali: $4.99
Rava masala dosa: $4.99
Samosa chaat: $2.49
Dal fry with chapati: $2.99
Mango lassi: $1.99

5655 Hillcroft, 713-783-1126.

More About

Mercifully, Balaji Bhavan offers an abundant supply of large water pitchers. I downed nearly an entire pitcher on my own. The unusual stainless-steel cups are standard overseas; Indians think liquid tastes colder when it's quaffed from metal, especially pure silver.

If the water doesn't extinguish the blaze, you might consider a dessert of shrikhand.Sweetened, condensed yogurt that is liberally flavored with saffron and ground pistachio, this North Indian favorite works like a fire blanket for the tongue and stomach. The yogurt's creamy heaviness is mitigated by its natural tartness and the floral notes of the saffron. At $5.99 a pound (two people should eat only a quarter of that), it's money well spent. And underscoring the incredible value of the place, it's the most expensive thing on the menu.