It only seems like yesterday that I was across the street at Suika Japanese Snack Bar with Melissa from Eye’s Bigger Than My Stomach checking out the newest VANEATS.ca dining package. While dining I saw that Maurya Indian Cuisine was and commented on how great the butter chicken was, the conversation ended with us both agreeing that we should definitely make a visit. the gods must have been listening because a few days after that I got an email from the VANEATS.ca crew with the invite to spend the day with them shooting their newest upcoming dining package at Maurya Indian Cuisine appropriately named Maurya’s Spice.
The guy’s were great to work with and a pleasure to hang out with. After seeing the ton of work that goes into making a food video I have a new-found respect for what they do! Check out Billy shooting the Chef creating the Chicken Chettinad.
Kevin and Bill getting the shot
The guy’s at Maurya have a really nice space, the ceilings are high and gold leaf trims the upper part of the room. It’s great for small to large groups with tables that extend out to accommodate every one.
Let’s fire up the tandoor and start this food adventure in India.
The guy’s at VANEATS.ca have put together a great line up of dishes for this 6 item, $18 dining package. It’s more than enough for 1 person and can be shared between 2 people, if you have a bigger appetite I’d suggest ordering an additional dish off the menu or some rice to go along with it.
The first thing up is an Indian appy trio. An Indian take on Mixed greens & beets salad that is lightly tossed with vinaigrette was refreshing, the beets reminded me of an Indian sweet that is orange and candy like, I enjoyed this take on a beet salad. My favorite item was the Seekh Kebab, it’s a wonderful mix of minced lamb mixed with spices, skewed and cooked in the in tandoor. The dish is also accompanied by some poppadum. The lamb is boldly flavored with Indian spices and the cooking in the tandoori oven added another level of flavor. Lastly the Mixed Vegetable dish was a nice mix of green veggies and Indian spices, it went well with the lamb.
Daal Maurya is next up on this trip on the spice train express. It’s a delicious mix of black lentils that are slow cooked over 24 hours. the sauce is mildly spiced and is nicely mopped up by some naan.
Speaking of naan we have the Garlic and basil Naan. Made fresh to order in the tandoor and brushed with melted butter this was a pleasure to eat if it wasn’t evident enough in the video! The garlic flavor is big in this naan seeing they use fresh chopped garlic that is pressed into the naan right before firing in the tandoori oven.
Now this for me was the star of the meal and I literally SHOVELED it in my pie hole! After that little stunt we ordered another dish of this 2009 Dine Out Vancouver Award winner. It’s not inherently spicy so if you like heat be sure to let them know so they can jack the heat up on it. Alone on the menu this dish is like $13 and you know what-I’d gladly pay that for it! They use only chicken breast in this and that’s it-no potatoes or other filler, just meaty chicken breast. It’s garnished with some flash fried basil leaves. Kids-please don’t do what I did in the video, take your time and savor this delicious Maurya creation!
I had a great day with Kevin and Bill and I think everyone will enjoy this line up of dishes in the Maurya’s Spice dining package. It goes on sale starting at 7AM July 4th,2012 and passes will be available in batches and good till October 4th,2012 for the low price of $18. The dining package is redeemable during lunch or dinner hours. You can get yours by clicking here.
