Bawarchi Express, San Diego

The aromas at Bawarchi Dosa hint at a diverse range of dishes from around India. There's cumin, turmeric, and mint, drifting from food influenced by the traditions of Chettinad and Hyderabad. But despite those time-honored recipes the focus is, obviously, on dosas. Dosas are a type of Indian crepe, and at Bawarchi they're filled with everything from lentils and other veggies to paneer cheese or spicy chutneys. The restaurant also offers meat dishes, such as chicken vindaloo and lamb rogan josh, wine and beer, and a sprawling buffet, where hot Indian dishes pour forth steam like robots trying to talk about art.