Coffee Break: Vanilla Chai at Naanolicious

Vanilla is the chai flavour of the month for January at Naanolicious. I didn't find it too sweet - it had just enough vanilla to enhance the milky, black tea.

Meatloaf at Devaney's

I had supper recently at Devaney's when I had an event to film directly across the street at the Telus Centre a week or so ago. I had the meatloaf: two thick slices of straight-ahead beef and seasonings. It was simple, but flavourful. The carrot and pea vegetable mixture I think was frozen but revived with some butter, and the mashed potatoes were blazingly hot - like, they had been microwaved or something. The meat was definitely the best part of the dish, but the sadder sides would deter me from ordering it again.

Thali Box at Naanolicious

The new Thali Box lunch at Naanolicious could be Whyte Avenue's best-kept dining secret. Served only until 2 p.m., this is like the East Indian version of a Bento Box, and features rice, naan bread, a chicken dish, a vegetarian dish, and salad. The specific dishes are the chef's choosing, so you're getting both a surprise and something like a buffet - but brought directly to your table, and always fresh. My Thali Box had rich butter chicken, a lentil dish which was superb, saffron rice, a cucumber-yogurt salad, a shredded cabbage salad, and garlic naan. At only $16.95 the price point is excellent for the amount of food you're getting. It's not on the menu - you have to ask for it, and you'll be glad you did.

Tandoori Fried Chicken at Naanolicious

One of my favourite additions to the new menu at Naanolicious is the Tandoori Fried Chicken. Instead of being finished on the grill, the marinated chicken is plunged into the fryer. It is not breaded - the outside spices and skin crisp up while the inside stays moist. Served with masala-seasoned fries, this is a very comforting and filling meal.