Water, shelter, food: Food’s function is to nourish the body. Yet, most people recognize learning about the creation of food as the Culinary Arts. Thankfully, Harrisburg welcomes and encourages this creative expression through food. Many dedicated entrepreneurs elegantly present the art-through- food experience to the public.
Indian culture is known for spices, many of them either sweet or fiery tasting, natural ingredients, and thoughtful preparation. A few Indian restaurants in Harrisburg serve Indian food in its finest, most authentic state. A few of these Indian restaurants that I visited are: Taj Palace Indian Cuisine, Passage to India, and Aanagan. Each one of these restaurants carries unique strengths for a satisfying, cross-cultural experience.
Taj Palace is right around the corner from Strawberry Square as it faces the Capital Building. Its location is great when one takes a stroll downtown on a weekday or weekend afternoon. Smells of well-spiced food greet one upon entering the restaurant. This cuisine is made for a person of developed taste. As in any restaurant, its great to ask questions and its necessary to describe personal preferences when it comes to the intensity of spices. Fresh, generous portions were given to those that visited. A colorful, calm environment accompanies the elegant dishes.
The Passage to India welcomes guests with beautiful adornments, detail, and friendly service. Questions about food again, are always good, although the menu listed detailed descriptions of each food item. A view of the Susquehanna River, a spacious, bright interior with various options for seating allowed for an uplifting, enchanting experience. Authentic foods were on the menu, but it was clear that something was listed for everyone as a children’s section listed American food.
Aanagan’s menu offered a variety of items, and even included some authentic Chinese foods as well. Many foods from South Asia use spices in similar ways that Indian foods do, but many in the United States may not become aware to this. Chinese restaurants and Indian restaurants are thought of as very different experiences in the United States. However, some of the uses of spice overlap. A customer may appreciate the authenticity of the décor, the preparation of foods, and even the authentic presentation of food, utensils, and dishes. This restaurant appears as a great way for one to gain understanding of a cross-cultural experience if one feels open to such an occasion.
The price of food usually lingers in the mind of one studying a menu. Comparing price is always important as is considering the reason one choses to visit a particular restaurant. By partaking of food from another culture, one gains better understanding of a place and community far from home. Those preparing foods of different cultures share skills and knowledge with the customer as some ingredients may hardly be recognized by the general public. Most people might say that they could not reproduce these foods at home. But who knows, maybe the experience may influence you to use a little cumin or cardamom in tomorrow’s dinner.
Aangan
3500 Walnut St.
Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717) 909-7777
Passage To India
525 S. Front St.
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 233-1202
Taj Palace Indian Cuisine
402 Walnut St.
Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717) 236-3980
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