Star India

New Indian Restaurant Star India has joned the bevy of excellent Shoreline eateries. Hailing from a family heavily involved in the food industry in India, Star India also has a popular restaurant in the West End of Vancouver, B.C. This is their first foray into the US. We found out about this place from a friendly looking older Sikh carrying a sandwich board along Aurora between 145th and 155th. Good thing, because the location, although on Highway 99, doesn't exactly pop out at you. The space has seen a few different restaurants give it a go, to not much success. Fortunately, I have a feeling Star India will be around for a while.

We ordered up a storm, starting with both Vegetable Pakoras and Vegetable Samosas. Things were starting off right. Then the Chicken Tikka Masala (pictured) came out steaming with green and red peppers with onions all atop a hot plate and this dish did not dissapoint. The chicken was cooked perfectly, with just the crispness you'd want from a tandoori oven, yet tender enough to melt in your mouth. The Butter Lamb was tasty too, although there didn't seem to be that much meat in the dish, and I'm beginning to think that my dinner mates gobbled most of it up. The third entree we ordered, the Saag Paneer, we tried a little on the spicier side (medium), and it was quite good as well. Perhaps they were being nice since we had kids, but the heat factor was still pretty low - barely a two star dish - but yummy nonetheless. We complimented the meal with tandoori breads Garlic Naan and Aloo Partha, along with Raita, Mango Chutney and of course some Taj Majal beer. The kids got a super treat -the best Mango Lassi I've ever tasted. A very friendly staff made the meal one of the better ones I've had in our fair city. We'll be back for the lunch buffet and for take out.

14725 Aurora Ave N.