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Quiet is an understatement, and shockingly so – on a Sunday night, the only patrons were my better half and myself. It’s a nice respite from other restaurants, full of howling, out-of-control children, rowdy bargoers or people who refuse to use their indoor voices, however, it probably doesn’t bode well from a business standpoint.
Starters were vegetable pakoras ($4.50) and garlic naan ($3.95). An Indian restaurant’s naan can usually give away the quality of what’s to come. While others fall flat and may taste as if they were lingering under a heat lamp for too long, Raga’s is straight out of the tandoor oven. Light and flaky, with a hint of garlic and butter and topped with a pinch of fresh cilantro, this flatbread is served piping hot inside a basket, cut in half.
One would expect a deep-fried vegetable dumpling to be greasy and heavy, but the restaurant’s pakoras are also light, crispy on the outside with the perfect consistency and firmness in the middle. Delicious.
Our entrées came quickly, with impeccable service. I had the aloo palak ($11.25), while my husband savored the tandoori chicken ($13.95). As soon as his fork touched the chicken, he exclaimed that the chicken fell right off the bone. That's the sign of meat done right. I grabbed a forkful (or two). It retained juiciness while still being thoroughly cooked. The flavoring was subtle but effective. Oh, yeah, and the outside of the chicken is red. Why is it red? It's the spices mixed in with the yogurt used to marinate the meat before it's baked in the tandoori oven.
As we ate, we kept looking at the ornate wooden doors, expecting a group of friends or perhaps a party of two to saunter in. Didn't happen. This secret shouldn't be kept hush-hush. Just don't be too loud about it.
Raga Indian Restaurant
16080 U.S. 19
Clearwater, 33764
http://www.ragaflorida.com
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