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Restaurant Serves Up Indian Spice In Temple Terrace

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By JOYCE McKENZIE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 10, 2007

TEMPLE TERRACE - Indian cuisine is as diverse as its culture.

Just as ethnicities and traditions vary from region to region within the country's four quadrants, so do the kinds of foods and the methods of preparation.

However, there is a common thread that links them - their use of multiple herbs and spices.

Among them are the plant leaves from cilantro, also known as coriander, a popular garnish for Indian dishes.

That's the basis for the name Cilantro, a new restaurant in Temple Terrace that serves Indian cuisine. It's at the former Cafe San Jose site in the Sherwood Forest business complex.

It's owned and operated by Smita Patel and Jay Chaudhary, who with his top chef, Sanjuk Rajak, graduated from the Institute of Hotel Management at Pusa in New Delhi, India.

The 6,500-square-foot Temple Terrace restaurant is the second eatery of the same name in Florida. The first of what owners hope will be many more across the state opened last year in Jacksonville. The restaurant, which accepts reservations, seats 200 guests. Its private banquet room accommodates 75 people.

Cilantro's five-page menu offers a wide selection of what Patel calls "traditional" Indian cuisine, as well as more contemporary dishes. Included are vegetarian, chicken, lamb and goat specialties prepared in a variety of creamy sauces, some with nuts and spices; various herb-flavored rice entrees combined with ingredients such as coconut, lemon, shrimp, vegetables and lamb; and a selection of 12 freshly baked whole-wheat breads prepared when ordered.

Customers also may choose from among the menu's specialty seafood and coal-fired, oven-baked barbecue dishes, as well as several desserts, such as rice pudding and mango- and pistachio-flavored Indian ice creams. Beer, including some from India, and wine are among the beverage selections.

"We mix our own spices, and they are all organic. They and the lentils are imported from India," said Chaudhary, who noted that patrons have the option of deciding how mild or hot they prefer their selections seasoned.

All of the restaurant's furniture, wall hangings and silverware were designed by Patel and ordered from India. The likeness of a cilantro leaf is imprinted on each china piece.

Hinal Patel, a native of India and owner of Spices of India in Tampa Palms, has frequented the restaurant since its opening three weeks ago.

"It's wonderful. It's like going back home," she said.

Jason Maranto, owner of the nearby Horizon Line Gallery, has been to the restaurant twice for its luncheon buffet.

"I'm not a super connoisseur of Indian food, but it's the best Indian food I've ever eaten," he said. "Even someone who's not familiar with Indian food would really enjoy it. The restaurant adds a great deal to our complex."

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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