2800 Kirby Drive (at Westheimer in the Arrive River Oaks shopping center) (713) 522-2022 pondicheri.com
This wonderful counter-service Indian restaurant has been a Houston mainstay for many years, and followed its predecessor Indika, which was on Lower Westheimer. Minimalist décor, free adjacent parking, ample outdoor seating across from Tootsie’s…a good place to relax, have a meal packed with quality and Mumbai street food flavors, and watch the world go by. Breakfast * Masala eggs wrap * Mumbai toaster, cheese, cilantro chutney, & fried egg on house made brioche * Uppma & eggs, savory grits hash w sesame, vegetables, and two eggs/cilantro chutney * Coconut pancakes, almond rice flour pancakes w jaggery caramel & fruit Snacks, sandwiches, & salads * Samosa, butter chicken w cumin yogurt * Madras chicken wings, oven roasted w black pepper, sesame, amchur, & tamarind chutney, cumin yogurt * Citrus & paneer salad, local citrus, almonds, paneer w Tuscan olive oil, cumin, & micro herbs * Ghee burger, desi fries or pondi salad or sambhar, ghee fried chicken * Kalonji lamb chops, oven roasted with raita & eggplant masala * Curries * Punjabi cauliflower braised w tomatoes, ginger, & mustard seeds, 3 dal stew/quinoa pilaf * Chickfu curry, nutty chickfu smothered in empire masala & crispy brussels sprouts * Butter chicken, braised morsels of chicken in creamy fenugreek, tomato, & garam masala/ turmeric rice Desserts from in-house bake shop * Chai pie, chai custard pie w cookie crust & toasted spice cashews * Avocado key lime tart, nut date crust, avocado coconut filling & coconut cream * Chocolate almond cake, almond cake w chocolate frosting
