The cuisine of the Indian subcontinent is a patchwork of flavors and textures, and from the elegance of Punjab to the fire of Bombay, Shahi Kitchen has it well covered. The restaurant's lunch buffet has a lineup of a dozen lovely copper chafing dishes — each of which features an enticing, accurate description of the dish inside — and a cold bar on the opposite side.
I admit to being a huge fan of Indian buffets, and tandoori chicken is always a test of their quality for me. Shahi Kitchen's version was moist, flavorful and perfectly cooked. There were two rice options, one with fruit and seasoning and one plain alternative. The vegetable dishes were plentiful, and a vegetarian could have had a great meal. But I am a lover of meat, so I dove into the lamb curry. I found it to be perfectly seasoned, with just enough bite and a heavenly texture. Then it was on to the chicken biryani, with tender chicken, fruit, spices and fluffy rice.
But the real find for me was the goat with spinach. Absolutely killer — a complex taste, with luscious and tender meat. The cold bar provided wonderful pickles, sauces, salads, fresh fruit and dessert, including a mint raita that was tangy, fresh and intriguing. Finally, the kheer (rice pudding) was creamy and sweet — the perfect ending. I'll be back soon.
7927 W. Broad St., 290-0666 Prices Lunch: All-you-can-eat buffet is $6.99. Dinner: Appetizers $3 to $8.99. Entrées $7.99 to $12.99. Desserts $3 to $4. Hours The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays. Otherwise, the lunch buffet is served daily, noon to 3 p.m., and dinner is served daily, 5 to 10 p.m.
