Ethnic restaurants are a vital part of the the Paris restaurant scene and we like to to intersperse them with French restaurants in our column. Our friend Rosemary Flannery, who also joined us this time, lives near the Madeleine and turned us on to the well known, popular Indian restaurant Mahatma in the area.
The carved wooden entrance doors were so striking, they could be a Door of the Month. Inside, the restaurant was dark and decadent with warm orange lighting and the table was lavishly set with brass plates and fanned cloth napkins. We all chose the simple 3-course formule for 16 euros. The selection of dishes was slim in each category, and the plat offered was either chicken or vegetable curry. For starters there was either raita-yogurt with spices, or vegetable, meat, or potato samosas. I thought it was odd that the potato samosas were the only ones served with Naan bread. They were warm and satisfying and the Nann was crisp and oozing with melted butter. The meat was tender in the chicken curry and the curry not overpowering but just enough to give it a zing. The spiced rice was fluffy and steaming hot. Dessert was a simple warm semoule cake and was the right balance for spicy menu before. Service was pleasant enough but a bit slow in between the appetizers and plats. Seating in the banquets was very comfortable which made it easy to have a long lunch.
Sometimes it's the small touches that make a big difference. The carafe of tap water, which is usually tepid in most restaurants, was nicely chilled, which is helpful when you are having spicy food.
Lynn and I give Mahatma two curried thumbs up and we will be back there again soon.
Mahatma
23 rue Vignon, 8th arr.
Metro: Madeleine
Tel 01 47 42 69 14
Potato samosas
Raita
Chicken curry
Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale
I am happy to announce the sale of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 17 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my courtyards, doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great holiday gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.
Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Comments