True Indian Tastes at Desi By Nature

Talk about finding a hidden gem!  If you are a fan of Indian food - or if you have never eaten Indian food, this is the place to go.  Desi by Nature is in a non-descript strip center on Fowler Avenue in Tampa. 

The lunch concept is fantastic. Order what you want, as much as you want, and as many times as you want for one low price!  It's simple - you are given a menu with the food choices and a description. Order what you want, and order it again, and again, or try something different.

We worked our way right down the menu and tasted everything! Yes, we were stuffed.

Bhel Puri is puffed rice mixed with onions, cilantro, mint, and tamarind chutney. I thought this sounded very strange, but it was very delicious.

Samosas are seasoned potato turnovers that are fried to perfection. 

The gem is on the inside!



 

Next up - chicken kabobs marinated in yogurt and spices, and cooked in a clay oven.

It's time to move on to the entrees!  Chloe bhature is curried chickpeas and puffy white flour bread.  Hours later and I am still thinking about this bread. Wow!

Tender pieces of chicken in a creamy fenugreek sauce is Methi chicken.

Yes, we are still eating and there is more food yet to come!  I was dining with a group of people - do not even begin to think that I could have eaten all of this by myself!!

Butter chicken is simmered in a smooth tomato gravy, tempered with fresh cream and butter.

Somehow I missed snapping  a photo of the yellow lentils, but I can assure you that they were scrumptious.  One of my favorite dishes of the day (just by a smidge) was the saag paneer. Spinach studded with cubes of cottage cheese.  I heard someone say that the cheese was homemade too, but I didn't verify that.

Of course, we are our fill of naan. Plain and garlic. 

I need more garlic naan now!

Dessert is reminiscent of rice pudding, but it is made with vermicelli and cooked in whole milk with saffron, almonds and raisins.

My drink choice was Mango lassi which is a yogurt based drink with mango and a dash of cardamom. ($3).  This was heavenly!

Desi by Nature is an unparalleled Indian Restaurant.  The owners are warm and welcoming, the servers are attentive and everything is clean!

Desi by Nature is located at 1251 East Fowler Avenue.  The lunch price is $9.95 (unbelievable) Monday through Friday and $12.95 on Saturday and Sunday.  Desi is open every day except Tuesday for lunch from 11:30-3:00 and dinner starting at 5pm.

Questions, call 813-972-7400. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Thanks for reading! Tampa Bay Afternoon Delight.