Although Columbus famously "discovered" India by landing at Lexington and Concord and proudly ringing the Liberty Bell, the actual location of India remains a mystery. Today's Groupon offers the best lead the world has had in centuries. For $10, you get $20 worth of fine Indian fare at Taj Palace, an authentic dining destination near Highland Mall. This Groupon may not be used toward alcoholic beverages or for the daily lunch buffet.

Matrimonially matched owners Ajay and Kiran grew up in New Delhi and have been proudly serving up traditional tastes of their homeland to Austin since 1990. Start your palate's passage to India with an order of delicately spiced and fried shrimp pakore ($5.95), aloo chat (a tangy Indian potato salad, $3.95), or a chef's appetizer assortment of samosas, vegetable pakore, and shammi kebabs ($5.95). Taj Palace offers nine types of Indian breads to pair with your meal, including classic naan akbari ($1.75), as well as stuffed starches such as paneer kulcha (stuffed with homemade cheese and raisins, $2.75), aloo paratha (stuffed with potatoes, green peas, and spices, $2.50), and keema nan (stuffed with herbed ground lamb, $2.95).

To cast the main star in your Bellywood film, try one of Taj Palace's extensive tandoori specialties ($9.50–$13.95) such as the tender chicken tikka, recommended for the calorie and cholesterol conscious. Delectable curries ($11.50–$12.95) come spiced and meated to order from creamy saag to mild korma to hot and zesty vindaloo, all served with basmati rice. Herbivores and herbivoyeurs can find plenty to love among the biryani rice specialties ($10.95–$12.95) and green delights ($9.50–$9.95) before everyone comes together again for a dessert of gulab jamuns in cardamom and honey syrup ($3.95) and a refreshing mango lassi ($2.95).

When your stomach is suitably satiated, continue to feast your peepers on Taj Palace's vibrantly hand-painted lanterns, beaded curtains, and skillfully crafted table-toppers. Between the traditional eats and visual treats of Taj Palace, your culinary escape will grant you the physical and mental preparedness required to beat Sitar Hero on Hard Mode.

Reviews

Yelpers and Cityseachers give Taj Palace four stars. The Austin American-Statesman had this to say:

• Introducing people to an unfamiliar cuisine can be a significant challenge. That is particularly true of ones, such as Indian, that offer many distinct tastes and textures. First-time diners can easily choose dishes that don't fit their palates and abandon a cuisine forever. That makes dining-in-tandem an optimum way to begin exploring foreign flavors, and Taj Palace in North Austin is a good place to start. – Dale Rice, Austin American-Statesman
• We have been enjoying Taj Palace cuisine for years and are never disappointed. The food us superb and service is outstanding. – Irvin, Citysearch
• This food is so good that I want to slap someone across the face. Maybe I sound like a person who hasn't had a meal in 5 years...maybe someone slipped crack in the food. Whatever it is, I don't care. This place is amazing! – AmeliaK, Citysearch