Arya Bhavan

Arya Bhavan is a small vegeterian Indian spot on Devon. I had a coupon which got sucked into my dashboard but went anyway. We've been impressed before at Udupi Palace (until the incident) and unimpressed by Annapurna's take on fast food veggie Indian. I was excited to potentially have a good veggie spot to mention on Devon.

The place was relatively empty. While the other table was eating off the buffet, we figured that it was likely there untouched for a bit and besides I wanted to try the Paneer Tikka Masala. We started with samosas. They were the best part of the meal.

We usually get samosas and almost always prefer the veggie to the meat versions, always trying both. Arya's samosas were wonderful. Lighter and crispier than most, the stuffing was spicy and very flavorful. Nothing lost, all the flavors gelled well together.

In addition to the Paneer Tikka Masala we ordered the Chana Masala and the Bhaigan Bharva (spelled differently everywhere we go). The eggplant was the best. It was smoked lightly and melted into a great dish that went with either the nan or the rice. The Paneer Tikka Masala had many green peppers in it and that messed with the tomato base in a way I didn't really enjoy. The Chana Masala was a good counterpoint because it was a similar base without the peppers and it was very good.

The veggies all seemed more undercooked than we are used to but that wasn't a bad thing. Chana Masala for example is sometimes cooked to a point where the chick peas easily go to mush with your fork. The chick peas at Arya were firm and flavorful. I might say that I prefer them cooked more but I appreciate the difference more. There is really nothing lost or gained either way. The sauces I think could be cooked more and if that means the veggies need to as well than fine.

None of the dishes, save the samosas, really impressed me. They do have their liquor liscence so it's not a BYO and that means a larger tab. The food wasn't cheap, neither was it expensive. So In short... it was pretty good. Based on the samosa I would think that their breads and other dishes might really rock. I'd go back for them but am not going to rush out anytime soon.

Arya Bhavan
2508 W. Devon
773-274-5800

Comments

[Trayf]

Arya Bhavan is great for its ambiance, its attentive owner, its vegan friendliness, but most of all its fabulous buffet, which can get pricey but puts other stagnant pools of heat lamp food shame. I am sorry you missed it, I've always found it to be fresh. They even make fresh veggie pancakes (don't know the proper term) to go with it.