When I eat Indian food, my mouth explodes with flavor and spices. However, when you step into Purnima, your outlook changes. It is not as spicy as traditional Indian food, but still has lots of flavor. I first tried the mixed pakoras, which are like mini Chinese eggrolls, but are better and contain multitudes of flavor. Then came the samosas, which are usually filled with beef and potatoes, but instead, they were filled with creamy cheese and spinach. They had a slight hint of spice, but it is not overbearingly hot, which allows you to really enjoy the wonderful food. Next, a dish came called Anjeer Murg, which is chicken breast stuffed with spinach and figs and then gently glazed in tamarind. You might think it would be spicy, but it explodes in your mouth with diverse subtle flavors. Chef Vikas Khanna hails from the north of India, which explains why the food is not as spicy as other more common Indian food that we are exposed to. The very popular BBC television program with Gordon Ramsey, Kitchen Nightmares, has filmed one of its episodes at Purnima. Even though it airs in September, there has been lots of publicity on how Gordon Ramsey has humiliated the staff and status of the restaurant. However, when I went yesterday, there was nothing of the sort talked about by Ramsey. It was one of the most pleasurable dining experiences I've had and I certainly hope to be going back soon. I highly recommend it to both avid Indian food lovers and to amateurs who are just taking their baby steps into the world of global cuisine.
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