One World Cuisine: Indian Cuisine

Are you a fan of Indian cuisine? I certainly am so it is always interesting to me to learn of new endeavors in that area. One World Cuisine is a group of restaurants, nightclubs and stores in the local area providing Indian Cuisine, Catering, Nightlife, Foods & Spices, and Wine, Beer and Spirits. One World Cuisine has a new corporate chef, Ranveer Brar, who will oversee recipe development, quality control and consistency among OWC restaurants.

Bukhara Indian Bistro: Jamaica Plain
Vegetarians flock to this airy, comfortable corner spot for a plethora of fulfilling, nutritious dishes in tune with this lifestyle. Specialties from Bangalore and Madras are also worth noting.

Cafe of India: Harvard Square, Cambridge
The oldest OWC property -- located on Brattle Street for more than 20 years -- has an extensive luncheon buffet, open sidewalk windows, speedy take-away, and modest prices.

Diva Indian Bistro: Davis Square, Somerville
Due to popular demand, an American style, all-you-can-eat brunch is now being served from 11am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays for $11.95, with a live omelette station and other favorite brunch options in a casual setting, plus intriguing Tamarind Bloody Marys. The Diva Lounge, at the same location, serves $1 Indian “tapas,” from from noon to midnight. Make a meal of more than a dozen flavorful bites like Kerala-style satays, griddled parathas, mini cheese dosas, lamb sliders, allspice beef meatballs, and more.

Dosa Factory: Central Square, Cambridge
This tiny place, located deep inside Shalimar Indian Food and Spices, serves dosas. These are rolled crepes made of rice and lentils holds a variety of fillings – from BBQ chicken or lamb to coconut-y tamarind -- and packs a hunger-busting punch for around $10. Each dosa comes with chutney and soup.

Kashmir: Boston’s Back Bay
For almost 20 years, this busy indoor-outdoor favorite on Newbury Street gathers a crowd for its generous luncheon buffet. By night, the dining room lights glow in a sensual henna’d pattern.

Mantra: Boston’s Downtown Crossing
One World Cusine is pleased to introduce Executive Chef Jerry Pabla, as this stunning and urbane restaurant enters its 10th year of culinary accolades.
Highlights of the all-new fall menu of French-Indian cuisine, served nightly from 5:30 PM:
Crab Cake in a Poppadum Cup with mango, jicama, cilantro, mesclun $18
Pomegranate and Peppercorn Crusted Tuna with tomato chutney $28
Cumin-Dusted Muscovy Duck Breast with Calvados-spiced cranberry jus $28
Pan-Fried Vindaloo Yorkshire Pork Chop with masala butternut mash $25
By day, Mantra serves downtown workers a simple prix fixe buffet, or they may choose among unique Chef’s Specials ($15-19) unavailable anywhere else: Bagarey Baingan, Quail Masala, Coconut Goat Curry, Duck Jhalfraizie.

The latest innovation at Mantra is their Naan Bar, where Boston’s only dedicated tandoori bread ovens are spotlighted. Choose from over a dozen custom-baked sweet or savory naans priced at $6-8, or let your imagination soar with super-creative appetizers ($8-16) like: Malabar Pepper Prawns, Tequila and Green Chile Mussels, Foie Gras & Chicken Momos, Kofta Sliders, and Jonah Crab Spring Rolls. Plus, every Tuesday at 5:00 PM beginning on November 3, The Naan Secrets class features instruction on the history, basics, and spicing of India’s famous breads. A demonstration and sampling of several filled Indian breads is included for $25 per person.

Mela: Boston’s South End
The new Weekend Brunch Buffet ($12.95) presents fresh-squeezed fruit juices, a dosa station, and even more selection than its daily lunch buffet. Contemporary Indian meets classic Indian at Mela, with out-of-the-box recipes like lamb shank curry joining tamer fare like beef kabobs. New windows open to Tremont Street will soon debut.

Shalimar Indian Food and Spices: Central Square, Cambridge
A delicious and educational weekend event will debut in November at this Massachusetts Avenue shop. At 11 AM on the first Saturday of every month, foodies will meet here for a chef-led, aisle-by-aisle tour of Boston’s best Indian grocery shelves. Learn what’s what and how to cook it. Family recipes will be shared. The one hour tour costs $20 and ends at The Dosa Factory in the back of the store for a sit-down sampling of savory dosas. To reserve a spot on the tour, call 617- 868-8311.

New Indian restaurants will be opening in the near future in Woburn, Waltham and Brookline.