Best Indian 2012

GOLD: VIJ’S

Silver: Rangoli  |  Bronze: Ashiana Tandoori |  Honourable Mentions: Atithi & Chutney Villa

Never drive to Vij’s (Gold)—you’re going to wait, and while you wait, you’re going to drink and graze through delicious appetizers and hardly notice that yes, it’s been hour since you arrived but hey, who cares? Both the ever-evolving food and the astutely selected wines reward patience. You’re really in such a hurry? Next-door Rangoli (Silver) gives all the delish without the delay. Start with sweet-sour chaat, some cauliflower pakoras, then the lamb chickpeas with potatoes in yogurt-date curry and (go on!) the surprisingly delicious naan with roasted crickets. There is Indian food beyond Vij’s, though, and it’s lucky for us that Rick and Sonia Takhar—who opened Ashiana Tandoori (Bronze) 30 years ago, and have managed to put five children through university and open last year’s 300-seat Surrey location—can’t quite bring themselves to retire, because the Kingsway address delivers the best traditional Indian in the city. Honourable Mentions to Atithi, Roy Abhishek charming, authentic little family resto; and Chutney Villa, with its serious South Indian cooking and must-try weekend tiffin brunch.

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