No frills or thrills here, just good northern and southern Indian cuisine.

by Contributor

Swagat specializes in both traditional northern and southern Indian cuisine, with chefs from northern and southern states in residence to ensure authenticity. The name means "welcome" in Hindi, and that's just how you'll feel at either comfortable location. Service is attentive and decor is clean and simple. Dishes from the south are more unusual than those from further north. Delicate Madras "dosas" are crepes made of everything from lentil to moong bean flour. "Utappam" is a crisp, manhole-sized, American-style pancake flavored with onions, chilies, cilantro, and cumin and served with rich coconut, spicy mint, and tart tomato sauces. A more acquired taste, "idli" are steamed rice cakes also served with the trio of sauces, but even a rookie can appreciate the sambar, South India's classic rice-lentil-tomato soup. Northern tandoori dishes are also worth sampling and are sometimes on offer in the $8 lunch buffet.--Laura Reiley