Although licking Indian stamps provides a hint of traditional flavour, one must eat nearly a dozen Delhi-addressed envelopes before beginning to feel full. Avoid ink stains on the tongue with today's deal: for $20, you get $40 worth of Indian cuisine and drinks at Garam Masala, located in Mississauga.

Tour the tastes of everyone's favourite subcontinent with a visit to Garam Masala. Owner and chief chef Jagat Ram’s 30 years of experience directing the kitchens of five-star hotels has endowed him with sumptuous superpowers that enable the seamless pairing of textures with flavours and spices with customers' horoscopes. Inaugurate the feast with a Punjabi samosa ($0.99 each), or whet an herbivorous appetite with an order of vegetable pakoras ($4.99). Put Garam Masala's authentic clay tandoor to the test by sampling the hara tikka ($11.99), a five-piece chicken ensemble marinated in mint and cooked to fork-flaking tenderness. Garam Masala's extensive menu also includes all the saucy favourites, from the tangy lamb vindaloo ($12.99) to a generous helping of butter chicken ($11.99). Like a hard-nosed news editor, the denizens of the vintage wine list cut spices without mercy, making the difficult decisions that will leave mouths trembling with trepidatious appreciation.

Hardwood trim, stiff tablecloths, and fresh rose centerpieces suffuse Garam Masala with a grace and restrained upscale elegance that will surely impress any date or impressionable tax evaluator. Between the traditional eats and visual treats of Garam Masala, your culinary escape will grant you the physical and mental preparedness required to beat Sitar Hero on Hard Mode.

Reviews

Restaurantica reviewers give Garam Masala a four-star average:

• I went at [sic] Garam Masala because of my friend's recommendation. Their chi tikka was amazing and so as [sic] the naan bread. I've never had such an authentic Indian food anywhere. Service was good, very comfortable place...I'll go again. – Annie
• Have tried their takeout. This is the best tandoori chicken we've eaten in Canada in several years. – D’Cruz