Sunday, May 8, 2016

Curry and Kabob brings tastes of India to Punta Gorda


Just about every time we go to New York or any big city for that matter, we seek out an Indian restaurant.  It's one of those cuisines probably due to having spent a significant amount of time in London that we just love.  While once the urge hits we have been willing to travel miles to get our Indian food fix, we were overjoyed to learn that we might not have to go that far - an Indian Restaurant was opening in Punta Gorda.  And, of course we had to go there the first day Curry and Kabob opened off Bermont Road (in the Wynn-Dixie Plaza) on Sunday, Mother's Day.

"We don't have a full menu yet," the friendly waiter explained, "only the buffet for a week or so."  But that was more than ok.  And so was the menu to come, which owner Sunil brought immediately to our table.

The brightly colored restaurant with comfortable furnishings didn't have to be altered much to changeover from a Mexican Restaurant (formerly Corazon) to the new Curry and Kabob.  The bold wall paint fits and by changing out the wall hangings and introducing Indian videos and music, the metamorphosis was almost complete.   The real transformation took place in the kitchen with the addition of a tandoori oven.  

Sunil is also the owner of the Race Track gas station across the road and when the Mexican restaurant he first opened didn't work, he was convinced by customers that an Indian would.  If the taste of the food we sampled today is any evidence of future success, we would agree.


I confess ahead that I am not a buffet fan and neither is my partner.  Both of us, therefore, were pleasantly surprised that the dishes were so good.  The chicken tikka masala was as good as any I've had in New York, tender and savory.  The Lamb Jai Puri, Dal Curry and other dishes on the buffet were flavorful but not very spicy, which for many of those not inclined towards firey tasting  food would find appealing.  On the full menu, dishes are marked with hot peppers for degree of spiciness, which can be adjusted to taste.  


Speaking of the full menu, for those "Indianfoodphiles," it won't  disappoint, a full list of specialties includes favorites like lamb rogan josh, chicken kourma, saag paneer, and, of course, naan  and other breads - 14 varieties, including peshawari naan stuffed with raisins, nuts and cheese and aloo paratha stuffed with potato.  Naan, sort of like Indian pizza bread, is divine and a reason to go to an Indian restaurant on its own if it's good- and the plain naan we sampled today was good, very, very good.

Curry and Kabob is located at 27670 Bermont Road Unit 6 in Punta gorda.  Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday noon to 3 p.m.  Dinner is Tuesday through Sunday 5 to 10 p.m.  A luncheon buffet is offered every day.  






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