Anita Jaisinghani earned a PhD in microbiology in her native India before she moved to Houston and changed careers. After working as the pastry chef at Café Annie for nearly two years, she opened the original Indika on Memorial. That restaurant was lauded by The New York Times, Gourmet magazine and a host of other publications for its startlingly fresh take on Indian cuisine. At the Westheimer location, the restaurant has continued to embellish its reputation as one of the most innovative Indian restaurants in the country. Take their beet soup, one of the best bowls of vegetarian soup you have ever had. It looks like classic Russian borsch, but is made with coconut milk and garbanzo beans, and it comes with a spinach-and-cheese fritter on the side. Goat masala hamburgers and fiery vindaloo shrimp are wild entrées. Finish your meal with some house-made saffron-pistachio ice cream and warm cardamom cookies.