Travelers Thali House

By Allison Austin Scheff May 14, 2012

0612_lifestylethali

For years, there have been complaints about the lack of (and lacking) Indian food options in Seattle. Im here to tell you Travelers Thali House is the answer to your prayers. The purple house atop Beacon Hill that once housed Culinary Communion is a homey space, and not just because of the warm, toasty scent of cardamom, cinnamon and cumin in the air. The servers and kitchen staff are genuinely friendly, talkative and welcoming. Youll want to go with a dear friend to catch up over a deluxe thali ($20), which arrives with 11 ramekins, the larger ones holding offerings such as stewed lentil soup with tamarind and coconut cream, and addictive fried balls (kaftas) of green banana. Another vessel contains the yogurt-based condiment raita, with toasted cumin seed, accompanied by a warm lentil cracker straight from the fryer but greaselesslike a really big, fresh potato chip. Pickles, salads and basmati rice fill the rest. It is a feast. Of course, those comforting Indian breads are also on offer: parantha, a fried flatbreadflaky, warm and irresistiblestuffed with potato or cheese ($3) or plain ($2); buttered naan, warm and bubbly (plain or garlic, $2); fried pakoras (fritters with spinach and spices, $4 for a small order); and samosas (stuffed pastries, $5 for two) served with raita and chickpea curry. The entire menu is vegetarian. Go there now: Travelers warming, sensual food is too good to remain a secret for long. Lunch and dinner WednesdaySunday. 2524 Beacon Ave. S, Seattle; 206.329.1465; travelersteaco.com.

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