Cafe Tandoor

Tandoori cooking was introduced to India by the conquering Persians in the tenth century AD. After its arrival, tandoori cooking flourished in India with local Indian populations regionalizing it by using local spices. The tandoor oven is made from special clay and shaped like a huge, dome-shaped jar. The inside is covered with smooth clay and the outside walls are heavily insulated. Heated with charcoal, the temperature rises as high as 750 degrees Fahrenheit. The tandoor is used for baking bread and roasting meat. The bread is cooked directly on the upper walls of the oven. Seafood and meat cooked in the tandoor are first marinated then roasted, retaining their natural juices and flavors. Food at Cafe Tandoor is prepared to order, therefore, please give us thirty minutes to prepare your dinner. Ordering in the traditional Indian style consists of an a la carte system where guests are served several types of vegetables, rice, meat and breads. Each item is brought to the table in serving bowls, and guests prepare their own plates as they like. Because the portions are large enough to share, many different dishes may be sampled at one meal. Indian food makes great use of a wide variety of spices, some of which are listed on the last page of our menu. Our foods are mildly spiced. If you prefer hotter or milder spicing, please tell your server. You should taste your food before adding any salt or pepper.