90867 Fri Oct 03 14:45:36 -0700 2003 4 5 Texas 0 499459 ...is found at the Royal Restaurant at 19919 Bissonnet. This dish is absolutely one of my favorite Indian-Pakistani dishes. This stew like dish comes out in a plastic bowl. and you are given a plastic plate and utensils. I think this place is more family style but the dih is not that big but for some reason it seemed like it was presented in a way that you would dish what you wanted and pass around. If I were with a larger group I think this place would be perfect for grazing because it is relatively cheap (the CTM was $5.99) and its very casual. The dish is made up of breast meat and has tons of fresh peppers floating in it. The masala is a brown gravy like stew on the surface with an yellowy/orange stain power. It was a little hard to eat with the naan only so I scooped up bites with my fork onto my bread. For family oriented people. Get this, they even have a side of the restaurant solely devoted to families. Maybe a chow outing can be had here. The only problem I could see is that it can be very spicey and some people can't take it while others(Me) can't get enough. Fri Oct 03 14:45:36 -0700 2003 0 John Scar 1 499467 How is their saag paneer? For inexpensive, abundant, and delicious, try the chicken curry at Raja on Hillcroft. They have all the good desserts, too. Fri Oct 03 18:42:08 -0700 2003 499459 0 Zorra 2 499474 I love Royal, especially for its brain masala. Its one of these magic places that can transport you effortlessly to the other side of the world. Just go through the door, and, Shazam, you're in Karachi. It's so real I could swear that I saw Bin Laden in a booth there last week, chewing on some chat. Pakistani "family style", besides the size of the portions, refers to the segregated seating in the restaurant. Family groups, with women and children, occupy a separate (But equal?) area where men without their families are not allowed. I guess that's to discourage unsolicited dipping in your neighbor's masala. Royal happens to be near my hairdresser, who hates it. Go figure... I don't know if you can find sag paneer at this Pakistani restaurant, but you can (Barely) in this nutty poem I ran across. It's called Sag Paneer: I try sometimes to think about where I'm going That map is dusty, it sits there in my car But the last time I looked right at it I crashed my car into a brand new Lexus My insurance rates went up I try sometimes to watch, to look where I'm going It's best if you ignore those Back Bay street signs Going around for miles and miles I think I've driven far enough Now I know where you are Now I understand I'm coming home to you, I'm coming home I don't care if I crash my stupid car I'm coming home to you, I'm coming home I don't care if the T stop's really far I try sometimes to write the book, to finish my thesis This LaTeX's such a bitch, it makes me wanna die Typing words for hours and hours I think I've written far enough To understand that I won't win a Nobel Prize I'm coming home to you, I'm coming home I don't care if I lose my stupid job I'm coming home to you, we'll have dinner at home I don't care if you can't make corn on the cob I'm coming home to you, I'm coming home I don't care if my future isn't clear I'm coming home to you, we'll have dinner at home I don't care if you burn the saag paneer Fri Oct 03 21:46:07 -0700 2003 499467 0 avi 3 499515 Avi - I think I look forward to your posts most of all...! Stewart Mon Oct 06 17:58:20 -0700 2003 499474 0 Stewart 1 499516 That sounds really good! I had always thought CTM was universally prepared non-spicy (its one of the dishes my wife can always order and feel safe). With its mild flavor and creamy style, I think of it as Indian "comfort food." The concept of spicy CTM to me would be like getting a habenero grilled cheese sandwich with chipotle tomato soup. Still, sounds great to me, although Kelli may be a no-show if its mostly spicy food. Stewart Mon Oct 06 18:02:39 -0700 2003 499459 0 Stewart