Basant Modern Indian - Chicago
Devon is Chicago's main drag for Indian c
uisine, but Basant Modern Indian proves that outstanding Indian food can be found in many parts of the city. Offering both familiar Indian favorites and newer, more innovative offerings from the Subcontinent, Basant Modern Indian has a lot to please confirmed lovers of Indian cuisine and those who may not know the food of India at all.
Blending traditional favorites with newer takes on the Indian culinary tradition, Basant Modern Indian opens with starters like samosas, the well-recognized deep-fried pastry with potato filling, and then moves right into new, less traditional dishes like Jackfruit Cutlet, a vegan offering of the tropical fruit with mint aioli and tamarind chutney.
For entrees, again, you can go with the very delicious traditional foods or try some "modern Indian" menu items. From the traditional side, there's Lamb Roganosh, a centuries-old favorite from Kashmir; Malai Kofta, potato and paneer balls dipped in tomato sauce; and Karahi, a nothern Indian specialty of onion, tomato-based sauce and peppers (a gluten-free offering that you can have with chicken or lamb, or you can go completely vegatarian). From the more contemporary side of the menu, there's Fish Basant, salmon cooked in creamy coconut milk and spicy tomato sauce; and Seafood Khichdi, salmon and scallops with riced cauliflower and lentils. We are big fans of the lamb chops with mint aioli, so simple and so delicious.
From the ever-popular tandoori oven, there's chicken and lamb, as well as Cornish hen and salmon.
For sides, we like the Dal Maharani, black lentils, slow simmered; Chana Masala, old-style Delhi chick peas; and Eggplant Bharta, the vegetable done in a tandoori oven with aromatics that bring it up a notch (or two).
Whatever you order for your entree and sides, you will want to try some of Basant's incredible breads, including roti, garlic or plain naan and lacha parantha.
