Gadding About at the Kadhai

What a special lunch on Sunday!  My friend Jeanette treated me to lunch at the Kadhai, a new to me Indian restaurant, at the Pleasant Valley Promenade. I'm always happy to find a new restaurant especially when it is an Indian one and one as good as this.

There were so many different choices in the buffet that I had a difficult time choosing.  Highly spiced dishes I avoid, so I chose those that were mildly spiced. The hummus was particularly nice and so beautifully displayed.

Hummus. 

My plate.

I always have a mango lassi when I'm at an Indian restaurant.  Sometimes in the summer I just go into one and order a lassi to go. A lassi has a cooling effect to counteract the spicy food.  I also like raita for the same reason.

Mango lassi. 

Raita (Photo from the Kadhai website.)

The decor in the restaurant is quite nice.  Lots of nice photographs and artwork.

Nice decor. 

There were three different desserts from which to choose: Gulab Jamun milk balls served in rose flavored sugar syrup and caramom, Carrot Halwa Rich carrot pudding flavored with cardamom and Rice Pudding.  I chose the rice pudding and it was perfect.

A trio of desserts from which to choose. 

I will definitely be going to this restaurant again.  I believe it is now my favorite Indian restaurant in Raleigh.

Marcia's Birthday 2014

My friend Marcia's birthday is March 18th, the same as our son Patrick's, so she and I usually celebrate her birthday a few days before or after the 18th.  This year we celebrated on the 22nd by having lunch at Sitti followed by dessert at Pie Bird.

Sweet potato hummus.  A different twist on my favorite Lebanese appetizer. 

Goat cheese and orange salad with mixed greens, dates, and walnuts tossed with a lemon vinaigrette.

We tried the sweet potato hummus as an appetizer. and then shared an orange goat cheese salad.  For our entree we shared Chicken Shawarma (Thinly sliced marinated chicken breast served with Sitti rice, grilled tomato,sumac onion, pickled wild cucumber and garlic whip.)

Chicken Shawarma. 

After this wonderful meal at Sitti we headed over to Pie Bird for dessert   We sat outside at a sidewalk table and enjoyed the warm sun as well as our cream pies. 

Marcia's coconut cream pie.

Chocolate cream pie was my choice.

It's nice to celebrate birthdays with a morning out with special friends.