After Dinner: Silver Coin Indian Grill

For some, it can be tough experimenting with cuisine that is so very foreign to our American palates.  But one local restaurant makes you feel right at home among the spicy curries and “Bollywood” movies playing on the wide-screen television.  Silver Coin Indian Grill has an authentic atmosphere coupled with tableside demonstrations.

You know a place is authentic if all of the patrons grew up on the featured cuisine.  That’s how things are at Silver Coin.  Most everyone in the restaurant can call the culturally rich country of India home.  That’s what makes this place so special.  The moment you walk in, you feel as if you’ve been transported.  You’ll hear the sounds of “Bollywood” movies; India’s version of Hollywood, playing in the background, and you’ll breathe in a bouquet of spices that you may never have smelled before.  The atmosphere is downright intoxicating.

And so is the food.  I love the classic lamb dishes like Lamb Saag ($10.95), boneless lamb cooked with creamy spinach and herbs, and Lamb Vindaloo ($10.95), cooked with potatoes and tangy red-hot curry sauce.  The chicken dishes like the Tikka Masala ($11.95), chicken marinated in spices then roasted with a mild sauce, and Chicken Karahai ($9.95), cooked in ginger, tomato, garlic and onion gravy with bell pepper, are all delicious.  If you like it spicy, they’ll make it “911” for you.  If you can’t handle the heat, just ask.  They’ll make it just right.
On our last visit, I ordered the Mint Chicken Tikka ($10.95). When it was ready, I heard it sizzling from across the room.  Big pieces of tender, yogurt-marinated chicken with fresh mint and caramelized onions were sizzling on a cast iron platter.  You know you’ve picked a winner when everyone at the table eyes your plate with jealousy.  We ordered Nan ($1.95), clay oven baked leavened bread. It’s always fluffy and light on the inside with a firm texture on the outside. There’s also a version stuffed with garlic, cheese, basil and rosemary ($2.95).  That’s next on my list of things to try.  Many dishes come with perfectly cooked basmati rice.  There are also vegetarian entrees, rice dishes and soups.

Also on this visit, one of the managers inevitably made his way to our noisy table of 10 and put on a show.  He does this entertaining trick with a wine bottle, toothpicks and forks.  I won’t give the trick away here.  If the food isn’t enough to get you to visit Silver Coin, maybe the promise of a sideshow will!  We also tried one of the desserts on our last visit. Gulab Jamun ($2.50) is a cheese dumpling fried and served with rose-flavored syrup.  It’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.  The rose syrup is sweet and fragrant, a delight for the senses.

Silver Coin Indian Grill is located on Lorna Road in Hoover, but it feels like you’re halfway around the globe.  So this weekend try something that may seem foreign and exotic. I promise you’ll feel right at home.

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