Spice Up The Weekend with A Visit to Coromandel
Popular Indian Restaurant Opens Location in Southport
It's going to be a chilly couple of days. How are you planning to warm up? Sure, you could grab a mug of hot chocolate, but why not bring a little heat into your chilled bones by tucking into a spicy Indian meal at Southport's latest restaurant, Coromandel. Yes, that Coromandel, the one with a handful of locations across the state, including Darien and South Norwalk.
Located right off Interstate 95 southbound at Exit 19, Coromandel is the latest incarnation of the building that once housed the Boxcar and the Kicking Horse. It's not a "drive by and oh wow, let's go there" kind of location (which might be one of the reasons that this spot hasn't seen anything stick) but Coromandel's loyal clientele has been staking it out since news of its opening broke.
Indian restaurants usually fall into the "I've died and gone to Bollywood" decor sensibility, but Coromandel eschews the typical kitsch for a clean decor. The outside may not look like much, but step inside the door and you'll find a chic space with a clean, modern decor. The restaurant is divided by two distinct dining spaces - one with a small bar and a smattering of tables; the larger room with 13 tables. White plastic seating and booths lend an urban feel to the space, but industrial beams inscribed with Sanskrit remind you of the overall theme.
Coromandel's menu - at a staggering six pages - is like a love letter to India. Each dish isn't just described lovingly - it even offers provenance. When's the last time you ate something that came from the Mughal dynasty? Not lately, but you can here (order the Murgh Shahi Khorma.) Of course, the usual suspects like tikka masala, sag panir, and vindaloo are all here, but go beyond the basics for a truly rewarding experience. Tender meats cooked with fragrant spices are all the rage. There is definitely something for everyone...you can bring your weight-conscious mother, your vegetarian little sister, and your meat-loving dad and everyone will find something to satisfy their appetites. If that's not good karma, what is?
Coromandel is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Prices range from $7 to $11 for appetizers, $14 to $22 for entrees. Take-out is available.
Coromandel
17 Pease Ave.
Southport, CT
203-259-1213
Jennifer Hochberg
11:32 am on Sunday, December 19, 2010
I finally had the opportunity to go to Coromandel last nite before the movies w/ friends....the food was amazingly scrumptious! I usually order chicken tikka masala (which my friends did order and enjoyed) or shrimp tandoori at other Indian eateries, but decided to try something different and ordered the Amchuri Murgh, which is chicken in a spicy mango sauce....to die for! A dish of basmati rice came along with our dinners, plus we ordered the plain and garlic naan to try (both were good!). Too many choices on the menu but I will admit that there's something for everyone to try, from the mild to the "need the fire hose to put out the fire" kind of spicy. I also tried their mango lassi which was fabulous and took the edge off of the spiciness of my dinner. It was busy when we got there, which is a great sign, and the service was good.
Coromandel ranks up there with Bangalore but I feel its a couple steps above in terms of the food....well done!