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India is famous throughout the world for a complex, savory cuisine
packed with flavor. Indian foods are not easy to cook and require
a highly trained chef with specialized equipment. Sadly, many Indian
restaurants leave diners disappointed but the Baluchi at the Horizon
Beach Resort Hotel definitely exceeds all expectations.
General Manager Umesh Shrivaastava insures that the food served
at the restaurant is authentic and representative of the best India
has to offer. Spices, of course, play an enormously important role
in Indian cooking, and the Baluchi imports all of its spices from
India even though they are very expensive.
Mr. Shrivaastava is also adamant about having a chef from India
in the kitchen who understands the exotic recipes and combinations
of flavors. He also imported tandoor ovens, an essential item for
creating wonderful Indian breads as well as main courses.
Traditional Indian specialities as tandoori chicken, chicken tikka,
fish tikka, and tandoori prawns are cooked in the tandoor ovens
which keeps the cuisine moist and delicately spiced. It is easy
to overcook food in atandoor, but experience keeps this from happening
at the Baluchi. The fish is especially good and reason enough for
making a trip to the restaurant.
The murgh makhanwala, a rich chicken curry flavored with onion,
butter and green chilies, is a specialty. And the Rogan Josh Kashmiri
is guaranteed to remind diners how delightful properly cooked mutton
can really be.
Lentils simmered in cream, okra (lady fingers) cooked with Indian
spices, and green peas pulao are the featured vegetables. They were
all delicately spiced and not overcooked. Then, there are the various
breads to eat with each dish. The tandoori roti is served piping
hot and a delight to tear into small pieces and wrap around a piece
chicken tikka or a tandoori prawn. The paratha lacheddar, a layered
whole wheat bread is equally delicious.
The dessert, phimi, like all Indian sweets, is outrageously rich
and satisfying. Made from reduced milk and flavored with saffron
and dried fruits, it provides a fitting end to a wonderful dining
experience.
Umeshi Shrivaastava and the Horizon Beach Resort Hotel have given
Phuket something it needs: an authentic Indian restaurant serving
the best of one of world's most delicious cuisines. If you want
a memorable dining experience, head for the Baluchi in Patong Beach
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