Popular Indian Restaurant CARDAMOM Chooses Montrose As New Home

Exotic spices from foreign lands are finally getting the recognition they deserve! Montrose is now home to another destination restaurant. One like we have never had. Welcome CARDAMOM, named for the mountainous, spice-growing region of Kerala, India. Cardamom departs from the "conventional" Indian restaurant by highlighting flavors and ingredients indigenous to the subcontinent’s southwestern region. Those that have never experienced gourmet Indian food are in for a big treat. This is a must try cuisine. One thing for sure, once you try it, you will be back to experience the entire menu.

The first thing you notice when you enter CARDAMOM is the fragrant smell of spices. They are thoughtfully woven through each dish. Start with an appetizer or two to share. The VEGETABLE SAMOSAS feature Punjabi style veggies in a crisp pastry. Punjabi is an Indian culinary style known for it's rich. buttery flavors. A savory date and tamarind chutney is served alongside.

The famous TANDOOR OVEN combined with spices is what makes this cuisine like nothing you have ever had. In the MALAI CHICKEN KEBAB appetizer chicken cubes are coated with blue cheese, mild spices and baked in the tandoor. Even the onion and pepper garnish comes alive with the Indian cooking method. A feast for the palette!

Now it's on to the main course, or if you are lucky, courses! Tandoori! Biryani! Curry! Molee! Tikka Masala! Patia! Korma! Makhani! Sagg! Danask! Don't know what these are? All the more reason to make several visits as each is a foodie adventure! Owner NASIR SYED is happy to introduce you to his heritage.

No meal is complete without NAAN, an Indian bread baked in Tandoor that is perfect for sopping up the various sauces. There are 9 different versions on Naan offered including this garlic version brushed with coriander butter.

Naan is exciting! Just ask ANDRE ORDUBEGIAN, Montrose Shopping Park Association Board President.

You will also want to order a rice dish to round out your meal. BASMATI RICE is very aromatic and grown in India. It has a flavor profile all it's own and several versions are served at Cardamom.

Compliment your meal with a traditional MANGO LASSI. The sweet blend of yogurt and fruit is the ideal balance to the spices.

CARDAMOM is open for lunch and dinner. The lunch special is $16.95 and includes an entree, vegetable of the day, Kachumber salad, Basmati rice and Naan. It's served from 11 - 2:30. Cardamom is located at 2327 Honolulu Ave. Call 818-369-7170