Naan N Masala, Milpitas

Although each dish at Naan-N-Masala is made with market-fresh vegetables and tender meats, it's the herbs and spices that truly stand out. By cooking with pure vegetable oil, the chefs allow the aromatics of the tamarind, mint, ginger, fennel, cilantro, cumin, and cardamom to fill the restaurant's kitchen and dining room. These scents serve as a prelude for dishes such as homemade paneer cheese cooked with bell peppers and onions, savory lamb curry, and yogurt-marinated chicken skewers that roast inside a clay tandoor oven. Most entrees can be made vegetarian-style upon request. With its blue-and-white floor tiles and melon- colored walls, the dining room exudes a casual aesthetic that complements the homespun nature of the chefs' Indian cooking.