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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend January 5, 2007 India Palace On a busy Friday night at the India Palace, talking and laughing customers sit at tables, some pushed together to accommodate a raucous party celebrating the beginning of the weekend, a birthday, or just the pleasure of each other's company. Owned and run by the chef, Avtar, and his wife, Tammy, India Palace is a friendly place for lunch and dinner. One or more of their five children can often be seen helping out around the restaurant or coloring or doing homework at one of the tables. Avtar is secretive about his techniques, and for good reason. The food is superb, and if diners got their hands on his recipes, they just might prepare it for themselves at home. My dining companion and I were seated quickly despite arriving in the heat of the dinner rush and being dressed like a couple of bums. The exceedingly pleasant and efficient waitress brought us a couple of menus and answered all of the questions we asked, likely fairly typical of those unfamiliar with the nuances of Indian food. Each dish can be ordered mild or spicy, with a scale ranging from level one, the mildest, to level 10, which few diners are brave enough to try. We decided to start out with chicken pakoras — appetizers made from strips of spiced chicken, and we ordered a side of mango chutney for dipping. The pakoras arrived wrapped in a brightly colored breaded coating, belying their mild and pleasant taste. The mango chutney provided a sweet, cinnamon-laced contrast to the chicken. Every meal served at the India Palace also comes with an order of distinctive crunchy appetizers, called papadums, which are crushed lentil wafers dotted with seeds and spices and served with two dipping sauces, one made with mint and cilantro, the other a sweet sauce spiked with cumin and other spices kept secret by Avtar. Advertisement Next came the entreés. We eschewed the dinner options, which would've included a salad or lentil soup, nan (an airy, delightful flatbread) and rice pudding, and instead chose to order a la carte, with a side of nan. My dining companion went with her tried-and-true favorite, the mushroom masala: a dish of fresh mushrooms, onions, bell peppers and spices in sauce; and I chose something I had never tried before, the malai kofta: a dish of vegetable meatballs made of potatoes, carrots and spices in a cream sauce. Our food arrived, along with plates of colorful saffron basmati rice in a rainbow of yellows, oranges and reds. We had both ordered our meals at the lowest level of spice, so I eyed the bright orange cream sauce bathing my malai kofta with more than a hint of suspicion. Bravery won out, and I found it to be very mild, smooth and creamy. The vegetable balls themselves were flavorful and held together well. For an ex-vegetarian like myself, they hit the spot nicely, but a carnivore expecting meat substitute should probably stick to the real thing. My dining companion devoured her mushroom masala, stealing a piece of the nan to fill with rice and sauce to create a sort of tasty dinner sandwich. The lunch menu even reflects this innovation, offering lunch wraps made with nan and overflowing with delicious fillings and big enough to feed two. India Palace is a moderately priced destination for well-made Indian food in a culturally rich environment. The deep pink walls and ornate decorations add to the experience, as do the Indian cinema and dry goods available for purchase. The wait staff is always helpful and friendly, and patrons never feel silly about asking questions about the sometimes difficult-to-pronounce dishes on the menu. India Palace also offers a daily lunch buffet, where many of the same offerings from the dinner menu are served up for a pittance. India Palace is at 1250 Biddle Road, Medford. Hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Call 776-3508. -- Sarah Brown Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. 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