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- Address:
- 1944 Hillview Street, Sarasota, FL, 34239
- Phone:
- 941-954-4444
- Overall User Rating:
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(0 ratings)
- Hours:
- Chutney's is known to shut its doors for several weeks during the summer months. Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner and dinner on Saturdays. Hours vary according to demand.
- Official Web Site:
- http://www.chutneysetc.com/
During uncertain times, there are few restaurants one can count on these days for longevity, consistency and quality...except for little Chutney's on Hillview Street, Sarasota. It has managed to escape the ever changing movements of businesses surrounding it that have come and go, and remains like a deeply rooted tree nestled in the heart of the city.
Opened in 1987 by husband and wife team Ash Shukla and Denise May, Chutney's offers a combination of authentic Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Both May and Shukla collaborated on the menu, and to this day, take turns cooking and acting as dining room host.
Ambiance: When you walk into to Chutney's, there's no sense of "oooh!" when being greeted by the simple folding chairs and papered table liners; but there is that feeling of "aaah!" when being welcomed by name, and the knowledge that graffiti writing on the furniture is not only okay, it's encouraged. So, while you wait for your bottomless mango iced tea, feel free to choose from the assorted crayons on the table, and let your artistic side shine. Your work may not resemble the professional photography aligning the walls, but you'll have some fun with the creative process.
The Food: Everything is made in house, including the flavorful Jalapeno Salmon Spread with dill and horseradish, combined in a delicate blend so that the individual ingredients can be appreciated, and compliment each other in a unique way. The flavor of the golden fried Falafels (made of chick peas and special seasonings), while modest by themselves, are brought out by the best homemade Tahini (a sesame paste base with garlic and lemon) in town. The Chicken Kababobs are skewered and seasoned with a delicate lemon pepper, and can be complimented by their Habenero Hot Sauce or a side of Tahini.
Desserts: Choose from Chutney's warming Bread Pudding (with a truly unique whiskey sauce), fresh Bakalava (with honey and nuts in a flaky pastry) or the Orange Flan. Known for their famous bread-pudding-that-eats like a rich cake, we would argue that the Baklava should be given notable mention as well.
A Word to the Wise: The Indian-style Hot Sauce has an amazing flavor...It's also deadly intense. So, while you may be accustomed to ordering your food Thai hot with a side of habeneros, use sparingly, or you'll be breathing through your pores for the rest of the day. Conversely, the Tahini goes with just about everything (except, perhaps, for the salmon spread), and it's addictive.
Cost : Lunch time specials include two menu items for $7.95 or three for $10.95. Options include babaghanoosh, falafels, dolma, hummus, koo koo and samosas. Or, select one of their $7.95 platters like the Tandoori Chicken Tikki, Madras Chicken Curry, or Vegetarian Combo (with lentils, spinach and potatoes), which come with a Greek salad and hand made pita. Extra feta, olives, pepperoncini, tahini, yogurt and a habenero hot sauce are avavailable for $1. Desserts average $3.95, and beverages between $2-$3 (more for imported beer).
Dinners are $14.95, and include an extensive list of Greek favorites like Moussaka, Spanikopita, and Pistachio, as well as Indian classics like Lamb Vindaloo, Curried Lentil Blintz and Baigan Bharta.
Note: $15 minimum on credit cards.
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Chutneys is located at 1944 Hillview St, Sarasota, FL 34239. Phone: (941) 954-4444. Hours: Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. (lunch), Monday-Saturday, 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
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