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Silk N Spice

Wanting to take advantage of a sunny day, we made our way towards the beach. Enroute, we grew peckish and decided to pause for lunch in the area. Reflecting on the needs of our stomach, we unanimously agreed on Indian cuisine; and the closest was the long standing spin off of East is East on main: Silk and Spice.

Even if you are not a fan of Indian cuisine, the decor is worth come in for, alone. There is something so comforting and inviting about the space, lavishly enrobed with decorative floor rugs (on the walls and laid out across the floor). Overall the space is heavy handed in natural elements: wooden rafters overhead, raw tree trunks repurposed as partitions, tables and chairs crafted from whole and irregular pieces of wood, woven rope lining the edges where wall meats ceiling and seam, and Himalayan pink salt brick accents. All together it transported you to a land far far away.

As we considered our options between their chai fest special or ordering a la carte, we sipped on a shot of complimentary green tea chai samplers. Not as fragrant or gingery as regular chai, this definitely got our tastes buds growing and considering a full serving.

Although we went for the Mango lassi instead, figuring it would be a better compliment to our bold meal to come. It wasn’t like the sweet and creamy lassis I have had in the past. This was thick and tangy. It drank like if mango pudding was made with plain yogurt instead of cream or milk.

We ended up going for the a la carte option, seeing as there were more meat choices available and more customizations offered.

We started with one of their rice bowls, where you get to choose two to three toppings. And the price is determined by whether you are selecting from the vegetable or meat options. We went with 3 toppings over Afghan rice, to be able to try more. The Afghan rice was described as rice with shredded carrots and raisins. There is also a plain basmati rice available, or cut out the rice completely and go for the mixed greens.

The Afghan eggplant casserole with herbs, tomatoes, onions, and garlic was well prepared. The eggplant flavour nicely comes through and the salsa mix of cucumber, tomato, and onions adding freshness while brightening up the whole bowl.

The grass fed lamb and potato curry is stewed in ginger, onion, garlic, and five spice. Tender chunks of hearty meat, potato chunks that almost melt on your tongue, and a curry spice that latches on to everything it touches.

The roasted chicken masala came in a creamy pepper and tomato sauce. But didn’t taste tangy as tomato sauces often do. It simply had a warming spice to it. I did find the chicken a little dry here.

I was slightly disappointed when the Eastern roti roll came to our table. I was expecting something more traditional, instead this was a soup and wrap combo, prepared with more traditional Indian flavours.

Between the Dahl soup or the Mystic one, we went with the latter. I am not a fan of lentils for its often grainy texture (even despite how much you mix and blend to get it smooth).

The Mystic soup was prepared with enoki, brown, and oyster mushrooms cooked in coconut milk and infused with lemongrass, basil, ginger, and green Thai curry paste. There were plenty of the aforementioned mushrooms kept in larger chunks when applicable. This was a nice vegan soup that was thin and light to drink. It reminded me of Thai curry soup

As for the rolls, we opted in for the ability to have them with two different fillings: more lamb and chicken.

I preferred the Afghan nomad one with lamb and eggplant roasted peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and five spice. It was a meat stew over rice, and then wrapped up for each eating. Bold flavours, tender meat, and the spicy burn of rich fragrant curry.

By comparison the creamy roasted mango chicken was sweet and light. The white meat was juicy and the sauce mildly spicy. Although I found it lacked flavour, especially coming off of a bite of the roti roll before.

Luckily before our meal even started we were given a plate of sauces to add and mix with things, as per our preference. I especially liked the creamy garlic sauce which added a heaviness that I felt all our carbs need. My guest liked the Spicy Thai chilli one the most, declaring it not spicy. He would put it on everything. There is also a Spicy cilantro and Sweet and sour tamarind sauce for your consideration.

In short, this was a filling lunch time meal, giving us traditional Indian flavours across more modern platforms. An easy way to wade into the cuisine if you are not yet familiar.

Silk N Spice
3035 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2G9
(604) 734-5881
eastiseast.ca

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