I must have looked at this restaurant online a gabillion times. I mean, the name Curry & Pie kinda’ speaks to you, if you are a curry lover, and if you are a pizza fan, there’s a spark of interest too. So, okay…Curry & Pie, you have my attention.
Almost everything I thought I knew about this restaurant was wrong, I looked at the grand-ish entrance and thought it was dine-in, but it’s mostly takeout/delivery. Also, it’s not just specialty pizza with Indian spices, but if you are feeling for a regular cheese, it is there for you.
The Elkridge, Maryland restaurant also offers actual Indian cuisine. So, yes you can get your Butter Chicken and your Chicken Tikka Masala. It’s there, so do your thing!
On my visit, I decided to go with a pizza. I guess I am a traditionalist because I tend to go with what the given establishment is known for. If you are touting seafood, I want to try the seafood.
Curry & Pie claims a dual affinity so I indulged them both with an order from their specialty pizza menu. It boasts pizza topped with classics like Paneer Tikka Masala, Lamb Vindaloo, or my choice, which was Chicken Makhni.
I ordered the Chicken Makhni pizza because it was a meal I’d never had before, so I had no overarching expectations. When I picked up my order, I was excited. The aroma emanating from the box was so fragrant. However, when I looked in the box, I was a little indignant because it looked like any other pizza with chicken on it.
For the record…I was wrong.
I ate this 10-inch pizza with my eyes closed or rolling my eyes to the back of my eyelids just savoring each bite.
I’m very serious. My Chicken Makhni was AWESOME!
Makhni is a Pakistani word for buttery, but I know what you are thinking. Don’t go to that conclusion. It’s tempting, but it’s really not what you think it is.
What do I think you think it is?
Butter chicken…it’s a natural conclusion but Makhni is not the same. The Indian version is called Makhani and that version would be likened to butter chicken because of its sweetness.
I detected a little sweetness in my pizza. I wasn’t mad at it either, but for clarity the Makhni doesn’t traditionally use sugar. I noticed in one recipe, there was fenugreek, which would explain a lot concerning the sweet aroma. Oh, and, of course, there’s was also curry and coriander in the mix as well.
All that aside it was just awesome and I highly recommend a trip if you are in the area.
I didn’t stop at the pizza. I wanted to explore a little more, so I decided to get a dessert. I chose the gulab jamun.
Come again?
It is a dessert that’s popular in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh among other countries. The restaurant describes them as balls of joy.
Okay, we will go with that.
It looks like cake balls, or if you go to Dunkin’ Donuts, they might remind you of the Munchkins
It doesn’t taste like either. It actually reminds me of a thicker consistency pancake…my opinion. The gulab jamun has a very rich essence, especially with flavors like cardamom infused in the balls that are drenched in a sweet honey syrup.
I see another trip to Curry & Pie happening in the very near future. I’ve even crafted a to-do list. My next romp will be with the French Fries Chaat. The website description says the fries as spicy and topped with chutney, tart yogurt and crispy chickpeas.
I’m intrigued Curry & Pie…you have my attention.
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Multi Cultural Cooking Network 