Shalimar Louisville: A Garden of Northern Indian Delights

For more than 10 years, long before Indian cuisine became the latest fad, Shalimar Louisville has been serving flavorful Indian food on busy Hurstbourne Parkway. Named for the fabled gardens built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in what's now East Lahore, Pakistan, Shalimar Louisville specializes in Northern Indian dishes.

The aromatic, savory Indian experience begins immediately. Shalimar serves a variety of Indian breads: naan, garlic naan, lamb-stuffed Keema naan, onion or cheese Kulcha, Masala Kulcha, Tandoori Roti, Tandoori Paratha, Butura or Puri. Prices range from $1.75 to $2.95. Can't decide? Order the Bread Combo, a basket of Shalimar's most popular Tandoori breads — naan, garlic naan and Tandoori Roti — all for $4.95. Shalimar allows no substitutions on its Bread Combo.

Speaking of appetizers, be sure to try the Vegetable Samosas, crisply fried triangles stuffed with peas and potatoes, or the Vegetable Pakoras, which are deep-fried vegetable fritters — both $2.95.

Shalimar offers a variety of tandoori-baked dishes. The Chicken Tikka, chunks of chicken breast marinated in yogurt with exotic spices before being cooked in the clay oven ($10.95). The Tandoori dishes, marinated in a differently spiced yogurt preparation, come in fish ($13.95), skewered shrimp ($14.95) or chicken ($7.95 for a half-portion and $13.95 for a full portion).

Or how about Chicken Tikka Masala ($5.95 at lunch, $11.95 at dinner), marinated chicken chunks served in a buttery, creamy tomato sauce? It's become the most popular restaurant dish in the United Kingdom. Taste Shalimar's lightly spiced curry dish, and you'll find out why!

Diners can get any dish served any way: mild, medium, hot, or extra-hot. All dishes come with fragrant Basmati rice. Many of the dishes are available at lunch for $4 or $5 less.

Other favorites include fiery Vindaloos ($10.95 for chicken, $11.95 for lamb) or the various Biriyani curries, the classic Muglai dish that's simmered in ginger garlic and fresh coriander. It's available in chicken ($11.95), cod ($11.95), shrimp ($13.95), lamb ($12.95) or the House Special Biriyani, which combines curried chicken, lamb, shrimp and vegetables ($14.95).

Vegetarians will love Shalimar's extensive meat-free options, including Nav Ratan Korma, a platter of nine assorted vegetables sautéed in fresh herbs with cashews and raisins ($10.95); Malai Kofta, minced vegetable balls cooked in a rich, mildly spiced gravy ($9.95); Dal (lentils, $7.95) and others. Or try one of the various Saags — Paneer (cheese), mushroom, Aloo (potato), Chana (chickpea) or plain — which are served in a delicate sauce of creamed spinach and mustard greens ($9.95).

Be sure to save room for an exotic dessert, all priced at $2.50: Gulab Jamun, two fried doughballs soaked in honey syrup; Kheer, the traditional Indian rice pudding made with milk, basmati rice, nuts, raisins, and cardamon seeds; mango pudding, or mango or pistachio ice cream. You won't be sorry! 

Shalimar serves a lunch buffet daily; it's priced at $7.99 Monday through Friday and $1 more on Saturday and Sunday.

Shalimar caters for private parties, whether in their party room (up to 60) or at your home or office. Prices range from $15 to $30 per person.

Shalimar Indian restaurant Indian cuisine India Hindi fine cuisine chicken lamb vegetarian fish seafood shrimp Chicken Tikka Masala Chicken Tikka Masala Samosa Pakora Nav Ratan Korma Saag Dal lentils chickpeas garbanzo beans Gulab Jamun Kheer rice pudding mango mango milkshake mango pudding mango ice cream ice cream naan garlic naan Keema naan Kulcha Masala Kulcha Tandoori Roti Tandoori Paratha Butura Poori Puri