Khushboo
Fine Indian Cuisine

1709 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington center, MA 02421
Phone 781 863 2900
www.khusboorestaurant.com
Restaurant review By Nirmala Garimella

Khushboo, the newest addition to Lexington eatery scene is a pleasant and welcome surprise. This charming little place that serves Indian cuisine is quite well thought out in its décor, service and seating arrangement. The front entrance interior is embellished with tiny bronze elephants at the window, copper coconuts on a table that has restaurant takeout menu and visiting cards. Embroidered silk hangings on the wall give the touch of an Indian feel.

Khushboo means 'aroma' and as you enter the restaurant your sense of smell is heightened in a way that is certainly appealing. The waiters are courteous and helpful and as you are seated, a basket of fried crunchy pappads with the customary splash of red, brown and green chutneys and crunchy sweet onion slivers arrive at your table. Soft classical music plays in the background not intruding into your conversation but providing a soothing atmosphere. On our first visit here, we ordered for a hot and a cold appetizer. The Punjabi tikki, deep fried potato patties served with radish and carrots on the side had the special flavor of whole coriander seeds. They were fiery and good, and the Dahi Papri chaat, a combination of spiced potatoes, cucumbers, onions and tomatoes with fired wheat wafers, yogurt sauce and sweet and sour sauce was tangy and tasty.

The kids ordered mango and strawberry lassi that looked appealing and disappeared in a shot down their throats. Food arrives in tiny copper pots that actually hold a generous size serving. For our Sunday lunch we decided on a tandoor item, the Shakahari grill since Khushboo promises it as a specialty in their menu. You are not disappointed when it arrives. Fresh vegetables from eggplant, broccoli, cauliflower, red and green peppers, zucchini and potatoes marinated in yogurt and Indian spices cooked on skewers arrive sizzling and piping hot on the table. There is the exotic tasting red sauce on the side that heightens the flavor to the vegetables. That really set us on to the next item the 'paneer bhuna' which was excellent. The paneer was fresh , succulent, soft and tasted delicious and the Naan accompanying it was freshly baked and had a distinctive flavor. The South Indian menu however did not meet up to the mark. The Dosa ordered was too greasy and the sambaar tasted more like lentil soup. The authentic taste was missing.

Overall however, Khusboo's menu is imaginative and satisfying. The chef offers a tempting visual experience of the tandoori grill in the open kitchen at the center of the restaurant. The rest of the menu is divided into Biryani rice, tandoori dishes, spicy vindaloos and meat and seafood curries and mouth watering desserts. Price range from $12 to $14 for entrees that are served with Basmati rice and chutneys. There is ample parking at the back of the restaurant. Hours are Sunday - Thursday( 11am - 10 pm,) Friday and Saturday (11am-11pm)