Ambrosia India Bistro
565 Abrego St., Monterey
(831) 641-0610, www.ambrosiaib.com
The chefs at Ambrosia create a flavorful fusion of the classic continental cuisine found in Indian restaurants across the country (dishes like saag paneer, chana masala, and chicken tikka masala, to name a few), and they execute these dishes well, but they also make use of our coastal locale, fusing coastal and south Indian cooking techniques to deliver a selection of fish and seafood curries. Southern specialties like Goan fish curry and Kerala scallop curry compete for menu space with northern delicacies such as rogan josh and tandoori chicken. During the lunch hour (weekends included) Ambrosia hosts a buffet, which is an excellent way to sample more than a few varieties of curry, and, if you’re lucky, their phenomenal kheer (rice pudding) for dessert. Buffet items rotate throughout the weeks, which is a good excuse for repeat visits, and more kheer.