Kitchen of Kuchipudi

At Kitchen of Kuchipudi, look for a lunchtime bhojanam, with the choice of vegetarian or “non-veg.” This Irving restaurant specializes in Telugu cuisine from Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh, India, and the bhojanam is a massive sample portion, much like a thali, allowing you to try tiny portions of eight or nine excellent curries, stews, chutneys and dips. Refills are allowed, so don’t hesitate to ask for more bread to soak up the richly spiced sauce hugging the stewed mutton. Oh, and there’s a full bar.

Fun fact: “Kuchipudi Indian Kitchen” is the same place. Confusingly, the restaurant uses both names.