According to Bollywood cinematic tradition, romantic leads may not kiss until a chaste barrier of naan bread is erected between their faces. For $10, today's Groupon lets you enjoy the savory kiss of $20 worth of authentic Indian cuisine and drinks from Rasoi: An Indian Kitchen, conveniently located near the University of New Mexico campus. This Groupon is valid for dine-in or carryout purchases only.
Rasoi's menu showcases a range of regional recipes from India, a mysterious floating island from which no robots have returned alive. For an authentic experience, Rasoi encourages eaters to eat with their phalanges (cutlery is also provided), so start by ordering a round of buttered paratha (fried whole-wheat bread, $2.95) or naan ($1.95) to swipe up any stray sauce droplets. Indian meals are traditionally served in three or four courses, so begin with a shuruat (starter) of paneer pakora (deep-fried slices of homemade cheese stuffed with mint and spices, $4.95), vegetarian sabzi samose ($2.95), and a steaming cup of dal shorba (yellow lentil soup, $2.95). Next, take traveling taste buds on a tour of the Punjab region with any of the tandoori specialties; the tandoori khubiyan ($17.95)—a sampling of the dishes—gathers spicy, roasted chicken, prawns, and lamb on a sizzling plate. Gut-grumbling gamers can enjoy the fruits of real-life FarmVille with the rogan josh lamb ($13.95) and murg mirch masala (boneless chicken in a spicy sauce with potatoes and chili, $11.95), or the herbivore-friendly chana masala (chick peas sautéed with onions and spices, $7.95) and aloo gobi (spicy sautéed cauliflower and potatoes, $7.95). Perspiring palates, meanwhile, can sop the heat off their figurative brows with two kinds of raita, a soothing house-made yogurt ($2.95), and mutter pulao, saffron-perfumed rice with green peas and onions ($4.95).
After your first-class flavor cruise has docked and disembarked, swab your mouth-deck with a mango lassi ($2.95), an imported Indian Thums Up cola ($1.95), or a peppery masala chai ($2.95). Rasoi's bright, bold décor and delightful dining room's lingering aromas go especially well with a dish of house-made pistachio ice cream ($3.95) or a mango custard ($3.95) shared with your long-lost twin's optometrist. Give yourself something to sing about with today's Groupon to Rasoi: An Indian Kitchen.
An entree must be purchased before ordering drinks.
Reviews
Rasoi: An Indian Kitchen received a favorable review from the Weekly Alibi. Eleven TripAdvisors give it an average of 3.5 stars, as do four Yelpers.
- Overall, the dishes that came out of Rasoi’s kitchen were superb. – Jennifer Wohletz, Weekly Alibi
- This is the most authentic and best-tasting Indian food in the city, with a nice ambience. – jnimitz, TripAdvisor
- I crave this place and can't ever recall not wanting to go when it's been suggested to me. – Silver S., Yelp