LTH North Lunch Group - 7 Spices - 9/27 - 12:30 PM

7 Spices has some recent LTH Intel courtesy of HPGlutster2. You can read about it here - viewtopic.php?p=534395

I trust the intel he/she also discovered Thali Bites (RIP) in Wilmette. Hopefully, 7 Spices will stay in business long enough for the LTH North Lunch Group to check it out.

Please join us on the 27th for some "Stunning South Indian" cuisine. As always, bring a friend.

7 Spices Indian Restaurant
555 E Townline Rd #6
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
(224) 206-7702
https://www.7spicesus.com/

Dave148 - Esteemed Coordinator LTH North Lunch Group
WillG - The Clairvoyant
Cathy2
jnm123
diversedancer
Katie - tentative
lougord99
EddieK

I am in.

-The Clairvoyant one

Plan to attend.

Should be able to make it.

Indian? I am so in. Are we getting the buffet, with a few additional special (unusual) items that are not on the buffet to share? That is my vote.

If they are closed by the time we get there, we can go across the street to Aroma Indian buffet, also good.

I'm in too.

I am touched by your faith in my tastebuds!
I hope everyone has a great meal.
HP Glutster

I hope you'll show up too, HPGlutster2.

I should say I'm tentatively in at this point. New little one in the household and it'll be touch and go for me being away for an hour or so.

I have done my due diligence in checking out 7 Spices in advance of our Thursday visit.

First time, I was in a rush and had the lunch buffet, for $10.99. Frankly, it was nothing special, a good array but with some interesting dosas and chutneys as well. Just OK.

But then I re-read Glutster's post, and coming home yesterday I picked a couple of menu items to try--Goat Korma, which is described as 'a true Mughlai delight, Goat cooked simmered in creamy and spices with flavor of cardomoms (sic)', and some Goat Special Biryani, with plain naan.

Now we're talking--both were more complex and interesting than any Indian korma and/or biryani I've had to date, with spice but not overwhelming by any means. Definitely should order one or both on Thursday, although with goat you always have to watch out for the little jagged bones.

Menu is extensive and contains items of which I've never heard, although I'm far from being an Indian food aficionado. This was just good stuff.

Seeya Thursday!

Hi,

Are you suggesting to skip the buffet and order a la carte?

Regards,
Cathy

I'm really not saying that, Cath, because the buffet is pretty decent, as those things go. But to taste the real interesting stuff to my way of thinking, I'll probably eschew the buffet and be a part of the other items that are ordered.

I think it should be a personal choice whether or not to do the buffet. As Neal Peart (drummer from Rush) wrote..."I will choose free will."

I sense Jay and Eddie plotting behind my back.

"Eddie, didja talk to dat guy about dat t'ing we was talkin' about?"

Good thing cardamom & hemlock are similar in taste...

After a long absence, I would like to join you.

Edit:

I knew that as soon as I committed something would come up for business. I will not be able to join you.

"Eddie, didja talk to dat guy about dat t'ing we was talkin' about?"

Jay, I seen duh guy duh udder day over by duh Jewels. Every t'ing is set. He's just waitin' for us to give him duh word. I'll be dere tomorrow.

There's a reservation for Dave. See ya tomorrow, or not.

I have a scheduling issue, but, I'll be sampling their wares at 11:30 am tomorrow. 12:30 would be too late for that thing they tell me I have to do to support my living habits and stuff...work.

I'll take a few pics and maybe update the thread with any interesting findings.

I'm hoping to stop by, if only to pick up something to take home, but can't say when or for how long.

Since I haven't gotten rid of the extra pounds from last Sunday (and a second foodie event the same day), perhaps it is better to skip the buffet. But I wouldn't turn down my original suggestion. Either way. I do expect to come back for the buffet with another group that has been going to Aroma across the street for many years. Note, we should check the buffet before deciding, perhaps today it will have those items that were appreciated from the menu by others.

Mushroom 65, and chicken 555 are superb on the buffet today. Chicken 555 is fried chunks tossed in a red sauce.

seebee wrote:Mushroom 65, and chicken 555 are superb on the buffet today. Chicken 555 is fried chunks tossed in a red sauce.

Thanks for the intel!
EC

My first trial carrot Halwa too. Outside of the raisins, I am SOLD!
Hope you have a great lunch. Interested in the off menu item intel if you get any!

diversedancer wrote:Since I haven't gotten rid of the extra pounds from last Sunday (and a second foodie event the same day), perhaps it is better to skip the buffet. But I wouldn't turn down my original suggestion. Either way. I do expect to come back for the buffet with another group that has been going to Aroma across the street for many years. Note, we should check the buffet before deciding, perhaps today it will have those items that were appreciated from the menu by others.

Just an opinion, but I don't think Aroma holds a candle to 7 Spices. I usually leave Aroma needing Indian Food Therapy. It's not bad, but imo, mostly lackluster. Their goat curry is generally the only thing that brings me back.

I also dig the saag paneer at Aroma.

But 7 Spices is much more vibrant and aggressively-spiced, not necessarily with heat, however. Just finished the meeting with the Cromie Circle of Carey, Dave, Cath, Will & Fast Eddie. Good call on the mushroom 65. Dave & I went back on that stuff for thirds.

As Gary says, count me a fan!

jnm123 wrote:I also dig the saag paneer at Aroma.

But 7 Spices is much more vibrant and aggressively-spiced, not necessarily with heat, however. Just finished the meeting with the Cromie Circle of Carey, Dave, Cath, Will & Fast Eddie. Good call on the mushroom 65. Dave & I went back on that stuff for thirds.

As Gary says, count me a fan!

Hell yes! Thanks again to HPGlutster2 for the original intel on this spot along with the last minute update from seebee.

Even though I was blindsided by (surprise!) WillG as we were getting ready to leave, it was a great lunch. I'll be back.

If I knew how to do a poll on here, I would ask: Are lunch and dinner the same meal, or different meals?

-PIA

So -
Cooked carrots, I normally despise. Just one of those things that I really do not like. There are not many things I don't like: peas, most cooked fruits (especially cooked cherries,) raisins in baked goods...that's about it. I actually love fresh carrots, but cooked, yuck - for whatever reason - they have a taste like new carpet smells to me. Ok, babbling setup is done - Carrot Halwa was borderline crazy good. I'm guessing it's just shredded carrots and a whole shit ton of butter and sugar. I decided to actually give it a try on a whim today at 7 Spices, and I am glad I did.

Random thoughts:
Their dosas that they bring out are really good.
I'm sold on that peanut chutney. They've had it all three times I've been there.
They've also had tandoori chicken, goat curry, and one boneless chicken dish each time I've been. I have really dug on the boneless chicken dishes. Today's chicken 555 was really good, I thought. Last time, it was "Garlic Chicken" which was excellent, but had very little heat.

This place is bordering on "gem" for me, for the buffet alone. I haven't even tried any menu items.

seebee wrote:Just an opinion, but I don't think Aroma holds a candle to 7 Spices. I usually leave Aroma needing Indian Food Therapy. It's not bad, but imo, mostly lackluster. Their goat curry is generally the only thing that brings me back.

I think Aroma can hold a candle to 7 spices (what does not holding a candle really mean, anyway?), but only one of those tiny birthday cake candles. 7Spices was MUCH better, and Aroma had been USUALLY better than my previous favorites (Himalayan and Viceroy of India). Aroma has good and somewhat of good days. Yes, the goat curry and the Kulfi did keep me coming to Aroma (and Viceroy of India before Aroma). Question....Is the weekend buffet the same food at a higher price, or is it better food too (like maybe including some seafood)? Often a higher priced weekend buffet has premium items.

NO desserts at 7spices...oops, there was one (I think) white rice thing at 7spices that might have been dessert (sweet), the I meant to, but forgot, to try. Maybe the carrot dish could be considered dessert. I also skipped two condiments and the buffet breads. The cabbage dish, mutton and mushroom were my favorites, but they were ALL absolutely great. I only took quick pictures of the buffet, figuring were going to order off the menu, but when a couple others said they were getting buffet, I didn't fight it (maybe I should have for my waistline), but I'm happy with what we had. The two dishes we ordered from the menu were not as good as the buffet items, IMHO, but maybe other menu items would have been better than the buffet. I could go back for menu items only, if the group included an expert or two (hmm, I met one, don't know if she would be interested, or if I can find her contact information....Cathy might help, I think she was a speaker at CH). I totally cannot remember names.

The carrot halwa was definitely a dessert option.