Indian gets spicy

By Kathryn Beaty

India Garden (412) 682-3000 328 Atwood St. 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. $$ Panther Funds? Yes … India Garden (412) 682-3000 328 Atwood St. 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. $$ Panther Funds? Yes India Garden is conveniently nestled in the heart of South Oakland. Every day between 4 p.m.-5 p.m., India Garden serves half-price entrees from its menu, for those who are looking for a cheap yet filling dinner. For night owls, entrees are also half-price from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.’ Every day at lunchtime, the restaurant also offers a $9 buffet. The restaurant’s wide menu includes chicken, seafood and lamb entrees, as well as a range of vegetarian entrees. The restaurant’s atmosphere is casual yet lively, with large flat-screen televisions that play Bollywood music videos. For those who enjoy a drink with their curry, a full bar offers an extensive alcohol selection, including an array of Indian beers. Prince of India Restaurant (412) 687-0888 3614 Fifth Ave. 11 a.m. ‘- 10 p.m. $$ Panther Funds? Yes ‘ ‘ ‘ Conveniently located on Fifth Avenue, Prince of India is an easy meal option.’ The restaurant offers a large lunchtime buffet for those who need to grab a quick, cheap bite between classes. It also offers a 10 percent discount for students off of the full $8 buffet price. The restaurant provides a casual and relaxing dining experience. Its menu includes a selection of biryanis or rice entrees, as well as chicken, lamb, seafood and vegetarian entrees. The menu also includes a selection of tandoori breads and tandoori entrees. The menu offers helpful meal recommendations for those who want to try something different. Star of India (412) 681-5700 412 S. Craig St. Daily 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. ‘- 10 p.m.’ $$ Panther Funds? No Located on Craig Street, Star of India provides a casual dining experience with an exciting street view. The restaurant offers an $8 dine-in lunchtime buffet every day from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with a $6 takeout option for customers who are in a hurry to grab their food and go. Students always receive a 10 percent discount on menu entrees, providing a good deal for dinner any day of the week. The restaurant’s menu offers a wide range of appetizers and entrees, with the focus primarily on northern Indian food. Tamarind (412) 605-0500 257 N. Craig St. 11 a.m. ‘- 1 p.m., 5 p.m. ‘- 10 p.m. $$ Panther Funds? No Tamarind is located in North Oakland in a renovated house with windows that provide a view of Craig Street. The restaurant serves a lunch buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. every day except Monday. With a mixture of northern and southern Indian food, Tamarind’s menu provides a well-balanced selection. A healthy selection of beers, wines and liquors is available to complement its meals. Tamarind offers a number of specials through the week. Every Tuesday is Dosa Night, when entrees are buy one and get a second half price.’ Student Night is every Wednesday, when entrees are buy one and get a second half price. On Sundays, Tamarind offers $25 dinners for two people, which includes one appetizer, two entrees, one naan or roti, and two drinks. Tandoor Indian Grill (412) 688-8383 4519 Centre Ave. Daily 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. $$ Panther Funds? No A new addition to North Oakland, Tandoor Indian Grill opened in April of this year. The restaurant offers a menu filled with predominantly northern Indian food. The restaurant’s Tandoori twists on American-style food provide unique dining options. Tandoori wings and kebab wraps are served along with Desi Aloo, spicy french fries.’ The general atmosphere is casual and a combination of dim lighting and candlelit tables provides a relaxing dining atmosphere. On Tuesdays, all entrees are half-price for dine-in customers. From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, the $8 lunch buffet both serves as an economical way to eat and provides an opportunity to try a variety of foods. Alcohol is exclusively BYOB.