Mahatma

"K2T Wisata"

Ethnic restaurants are a vital part of the the Paris restaurant scene and we like to to intersperse them with French restaurants in our column. Our friend Rosemary Flannery, who also joined us this time, lives near the Madeleine and turned us on to the well known, popular Indian restaurant Mahatma in the area.

The carved wooden entrance doors were so striking, they could be a Door of the Month. Inside, the restaurant was dark and decadent with warm orange lighting and the table was lavishly set with brass plates and fanned cloth napkins. We all chose the simple 3-course formule for 16 euros. The selection of dishes was slim in each category, and the plat offered was either chicken or vegetable curry. For starters there was either raita-yogurt with spices, or vegetable, meat, or potato samosas. I thought it was odd that the potato samosas were the only ones served with Naan bread. They were warm and satisfying and the Nann was crisp and oozing with melted butter. The meat was tender in the chicken curry and the curry not overpowering but just enough to give it a zing. The spiced rice was fluffy and steaming hot. Dessert was a simple warm semoule cake and was the right balance for spicy menu before. Service was pleasant enough but a bit slow in between the appetizers and plats. Seating in the banquets was very comfortable which made it easy to have a long lunch.

Sometimes it's the small touches that make a big difference. The carafe of tap water, which is usually tepid in most restaurants, was nicely chilled, which is helpful when you are having spicy food.

Lynn and I give Mahatma two curried thumbs up and we will be back there again soon.

Mahatma
23 rue Vignon, 8th arr.
Metro: Madeleine
Tel 01 47 42 69 14

Potato samosas

Raita

Chicken curry