Indian this Sunday -Haveli or the new Traditions

[cdmedici]

I go to Haveli a lot. I am taking mom to the movies this Sunday to see Julie and Julia. She loves Indian food as much as I do. I always take to her Haveli, but I heard there is a new place right around the corner called Traditions.

Has anyone been? Better yet has anyone been to both so you could offer a comparison.

Elmomonster...where are you?

[elmomonster]

Hey cdmedici!

Sorry for the late reply! Just saw this now.

I've been to both, and here's what I think: if it's for the lunch buffet, I'd say Haveli is still unbeaten in variety. Though Traditions' intro price of $6.99 is hard to resist. If I recall correctly, Haveli has about two or three more dishes at their buffet than Traditions does at this point.

For dinner, I'd give the edge to Traditions. You must, must, must order the mango soup.

Here's a review of Traditions:
http://www.ocweekly.com/2009-07-23/food/traditions-tustin/

Here's one for Haveli:
http://elmomonster.blogspot.com/2007/...

[choctastic]

I used a coupon that I found in the Pennysaver that knocked the Haveli buffet price (lunch) to $6.99. I guess they're responding to the competition. The buffet is pretty good, the food is excellent thought the ras malais were not very soft and the gulab jamuns were pretty average. The vegetable dishes were mostly kickass including a squash dish that I thought was shockingly good.

I definitely want to try Traditions sometime.

[Das Ubergeek]

I *love* that squash. They also sometimes have a curry of karela (bitter melon) which is uncommonly good, and also curried pole beans. I agree that the desserts are just OK. I usually get a sfogliatella or a couple cookies at Claro's if I want a sweet, though I like their runny rice "pudding" at Haveli.

I love me some Haveli. Haven't been yet to Traditions.

[choctastic]

Note, I didn't try any of the meat dishes, so I don't know what they're like. Forgot to say that, my bad.

[Das Ubergeek]

I don't normally order meat in an Indian restaurant, so I couldn't tell you. I am not a big fan of quasi-Indian things like chicken tikka masala and my introduction to Indian food was through Gujarati vegetarians in the town where I grew up.

[elmomonster]

Holy cow (PUN INTENDED)! You're right! I just found a coupon for Haveli for $6.99! Thanks for the tip.

http://monstermunching.com