Shivas Bar & Grill

The six-page menu here contains much more than what meets the nose. Starters like deep-fried onion and paneer pakoras are fried to an airy crunch. We began with the appetizers of simple potato-filled samosa pastries complemented by more modern renditions of Indian food, like naan strips with spicy hummus dip. Plates full of fried snacks, soups and dipping sauces add to the colorful spread. Trays of colorful dips let diners experiment with things like a sweet tamarind sauce alongside a green chili-cilantro chutney. The menu is so large here that the sensible option may be to order a la carte to try a variety of things. But the more gratifying option is to splurge on the Royal Dinner. At $80, this dinner for two is a sampler of beautifully plated appetizers, curries, breads and desserts. We wanted to see if it lived up to its name.