It sounds like hyperbole: Cafe Spice has the best Indian food I've ever eaten. I've been to many Zagat-rated places in New York and London and D.C. and all the usual suspects in Bmore that get most of the acclaim. The small restaurant in Towson with the pedestrian name beats all of them. Easily.\r
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The food is amazing--spicy but not overpowering, light but not insubstantial. What attracted me first was the incredible range of vegetarian options. As a veggie, you're usually limited to familiar fare at places like Akbar or the Ambassador: palak paneer, malai kofta, etc. Cafe Spice has a host of vegetables and curries from all over India, most of which I'd never seen before. If you are not a vegetarian there are plenty of carnivorous specialties, but I would definitely encourage you to glance at the vegetarian menu.\r
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The breads are freshly baked and fluffy. That's a cliche, but you really will taste the difference between the reheated nan we're used to. Prices are in line with the competition, and the dining room, while retaining some of the quirky Korean flourishes of the departed Purim Oak, is deceptively spacious and warm.\r
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Finally, every review must mention the service. The owners, a genial Indian couple, are often on hand to greet customers and chat about every aspect of the restaurant. \r
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I HIGHLY recommend Cafe Spice despite its modest exterior and inauspicious location. Seasoned Indian eaters will be surprised, newcomers will be tantalized, and vegetarians will be thankful for a change of pace. This is the best, most consistent Indian menu in Baltimore if not the country.
Pros: Vegetarian friendly, delicious food, service
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