449642 Wed Oct 10 15:55:07 -0700 2007 17 12 Boston Area 0 3023062 I recently moved to the Boston area and I'm looking for an Indian restaurant that has the kind of chicken tikka masala that I like. In Connecticut, near where I lived, there was a terrific Indian place that served a chicken tikka masala in a creamy bright orange sauce that was terrifically spiced but wasn't very heavy on the tomatoes. So far I have tried the chicken tikka masalas at three different places around Boston (Kebab Factory in Somerville, Punjabi Dhaba in Cambridge, and I think India Palace in Somerville) and their recipes simply don't come close! I have found them to be too heavy on tomatoes, and just well, spiced differently. I find the sauces to be much thicker as well. If anyone has any recommendations for a restaurant in the vicinity that serves something akin to what I'm talking about, please post! It is my favorite dish of all time. Thanks! Wed Oct 10 15:55:07 -0700 2007 133724 daisy007 1 3023149 Have you tried Tamarind Bay, in Harvard Square? From their menu online: 04. LAZEEZ TIKKA MASALA Chicken tikka masala garnished with capsicum, onions and tomatoes. While I have not ordered their chicken tikka masala, I do know that I find their dishes generally quite tasty and well-prepared, a departure from the "standard" North Indian places. For some reason I can envision Tamarind Bay's tikka masala to be lighter on the tomato, and having a more complex spice mixture. Surely a far cry from the Campbell's Soup renditions around town. I'd be curious to know how theirs is, anyone tried it? Wed Oct 10 16:21:37 -0700 2007 3023062 11275 Prav 1 3023183 How about Punjab, in Arlington Center? I always loved their version, very tasty. Wed Oct 10 16:29:50 -0700 2007 3023062 11805 twentyoystahs 2 3036651 My non-food eating friend absolutely adores the version at Punjab. Must be good if she'll actually eat it. Mon Oct 15 13:34:02 -0700 2007 3023183 15217 gini 1 3023318 My favorite in the Boston area still is, and always has been, Diva in Davis Square, on the red line. It's always on the lunch buffet, as well, which is a good way to get some serious Tikka Masala while also mixing it up with a few sides for a relatively low-priced meal. Wed Oct 10 17:17:42 -0700 2007 3023062 125532 polias 1 3023365 Hi: My favorite chicken tikka is from Kashmir on Newbury Street. It sounds a lot like the one you descrbe. I've had it from India Qaulity and other places that were great but that's the one I like best - my English friend who misses the Indian restuarants in London also loves it. So did a Canadian friend who was visiting a few years ago - I sent her to several but that's the one she liked best. Not saying it's authentic - I don't know enough about Indian food. It's probably an American version of the real thing - but to an American palate it's great and does have the more creamy flavor you described. Wed Oct 10 17:34:48 -0700 2007 3023062 14254 pasuga 1 3023716 Try JMP in the Super 88 Food Court. Their version is not exactly what you had but it's homey and good. Wed Oct 10 20:03:28 -0700 2007 3023062 71350 lergnom 2 3023719 I had it yesterday and thought it was Campbell-Tomato-Soup-y :( Yet still kind of indulgently tasty, for some reason.. ;) Wed Oct 10 20:06:40 -0700 2007 3023716 11275 Prav 1 3023828 Do give Kashish in Belmont a shot. This is one of the dishes they do that our family loves. My personal favorite there is the tandoori chicken, but the kid always does the marsala. Wed Oct 10 20:56:33 -0700 2007 3023062 59258 smtucker 1 3023923 I like the chicken tikka masala at Jaipur Cafe in Norwood (it is in a strip mall off the highway). Cheaper than their sister restaurant in the theatre district in Boston called Tantric or Tantra or something...same food, just twice the price. Wed Oct 10 22:00:37 -0700 2007 3023062 44642 bostongal 2 3024376 Bad news, Jaipur Cafe has closed. There's a new Indian restaurant in the same spot, called Minerva, which isn't nearly as good (at least it hasn't been in the two times we went). They've got an enormous menu, which always worries me, and if they have any specialties, we haven't hit them yet. Thu Oct 11 06:35:54 -0700 2007 3023923 64696 winedude 3 3027348 Bummer! I haven't been in awhile...doesn't sound like Minerva is worth the trip. Thanks for the update on Jaipur. Thu Oct 11 20:45:53 -0700 2007 3024376 44642 bostongal 1 3024428 One of my favorite chicken tikka masalas if from the Himalayan Bistro in West Roxbury. They use a creamy sauce that isn't overly heavy on the tomatoes. Thu Oct 11 06:53:10 -0700 2007 3023062 14771 hiddenboston 1 3025977 If you can put up with the horrid service, the food at Bombay Club in Harvard Sq. is quite good. I have friends from India who live here now that think it is one of the best in the area. I confess that I hate chicken tikka masala because of the creamy soup sauce it useally swims in. So I personally haven't had it there, but other things have been tasty. Thu Oct 11 13:20:45 -0700 2007 3023062 43893 C. Hamster 1 3026370 My favorite Chicken Tikka Masala in India Quality's (ordered very hot). The sauce is flavorful, rich, and very fresh tasting. The tomatoes don't overwhelm. Thu Oct 11 14:41:51 -0700 2007 3023062 22191 penny 1 3036590 I second Diva in Davis Square. I, too, am a CTM connoisseur and have tried most all of them in Cambridge and Boston. To be honest with you, I don't find a huge difference between the One World Cuisine properties (Diva, Cafe of India, Kashmir, and Mela) and I like it the way you do- thick and creamy and not too tomato-y! I especially dislike Punjabi Dhaba for this very reason! But I always liked Kebab Factory and India Palace (even though I haven't had either lately), so maybe you just went on an off night. I used to live next to Cafe of India in Harvard Square and ate their CTM at least 1-2 times a week. We noted that some nights were especially good, while other batches were off (i.e., too thin and red). I guess my advice would be to try Diva first - I have always found it to be good when I've gone there - and don't give up! Mon Oct 15 13:25:16 -0700 2007 3023062 101438 hsquare2southend 1 3036782 Namaskar in Davis Sq. has a good Chicken Tikka Masala, its also on the lunch buffet everyday. Mon Oct 15 14:06:43 -0700 2007 3023062 119279 UrsusArctosHorribilis 1 3037987 I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Grain & Salt! The serving is slightly smaller than other restaurants but the CTM is so tasty and perfectly spiced. Mon Oct 15 20:21:38 -0700 2007 3023062 81219 cambridgejen