Word on the street (actually, word in an air-conditioned business set a few hundred feet back from East Main Street) is that Michelin Guide inspectors recently passed through Chattanooga and might soon have something to say.
My top-secret source (actually, a Realtor and local foodie) and I were chewing over the hearsay when I suggested Michelin probably didn’t visit the kinds of places I enjoy the most: the “mom and pops” that lack the fancy trimmings but know how to put together an incredible meal.
“Like Little Venezuela,” I said, referring to the restaurant I covered in our April 25 issue.
And Nann House Street Bites, which I’m covering in this issue.
Here’s another one of those restaurants that, despite its humble strip mall storefront and bare-bones dining area, serves some of the best cuisine in its category in Chattanooga.
Am I being too excitable? Perhaps. What about hyperbolic? Probably. But once you take a bite of their food, I believe we’ll be in full agreement.
Naan House – originally in Cleveland and now also in Chattanooga – is an Indian restaurant specializing in a variety of traditional and contemporary Indian dishes. Their menu features a range of options, including biryanis, tandoori specialties, curries and Indo-Chinese fusion dishes.
Popular items include Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, Lamb Biryani and Garlic Butter Naan. They also offer vegetarian and vegan options, such as Channa Masala and Dal Tadka.
What are each of those items? Good question. I had plenty myself while scanning the seven-page menu, which offered just enough photos to make choosing even harder. Luckily, the staff at Naan House was warm, welcoming and seemed happy to help me make sense of the options.
A few things stood out to me as I browsed the pages. Under Naan Express, my eyes stopped at the description of the samosas – flaky triangular pastries filled with a warm fusion of spiced potatoes, peas and chicken. (Vegetarians can elect to hold the chicken.) They come with a pair of saucy chutneys for dipping.
The next page of the menu stopped me cold with its descriptions of a variety of wraps. I considered ordering the Lamb Seekh Wrap, which comes with minced lamb kebabs, herbs and cream cheese, but alas, they were fresh out.
Dosas were probably the most unfamiliar entrée to me. And don’t you love when a restaurant surprises you with something completely new? According to Google, dosas are a popular South Indian dish – thin, crispy, savory crepes made from a fermented batter of rice and black lentils.
“Interesting,” I thought. “Maybe next time.”
I found my meal on the next page: the Grilled Chicken Tikka. I loved how the menu described this dish: “Boneless chicken grilled with spices.” Talk about underselling your all-star.
As you can see from the accompanying photo, the edges came with a slight char. Beyond the crispy edges, the marinade had seeped deep into the chicken, which was incredibly juicy. What you can’t tell from the image is how delicious the medley of spices was.
As I write this one hour after mealtime, the blend of cumin, coriander and turmeric – and maybe a hint of chili? – is still lingering on my palate.
My plate also came with rice, tikka sauce and butter naan.
Speaking of naan, the restaurant makes good on its name with 12 varieties of naan, a soft, leavened flatbread. I was tempted to order a plate of Garlic Cheese Naan but decided my entrée and samosas would be more than enough for lunch.
Kebabs, masala dishes, small bites, and desserts round out the menu, making it a challenge to choose just one dish. If you’re new to Indian cuisine, take your time because the options are both plentiful and tempting.
That said, don’t be surprised if your food arrives faster than you can say “paneer tikka” (a popular Indian vegetarian dish). On my visit, the kitchen turned out a beautifully cooked meal in under 10 minutes – a small miracle that made my meal at Naan House even better.
Naan House in Chattanooga is located at 1408 Gunbarrel Road (where Kabobsters used to be) and open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
By the time I’d finished my meal, I’d already texted a handful of friends to let them know we’d be eating at Naan House soon. Because if there’s anything better than a savory plate of Grilled Chicken Tikka, it’s sharing it with someone you like. See you there?