Haveli: A home away from home

I am white, my grandparents, all white... but if I had an Indian Grandmother I imagine going to see her would be a lot like going to Haveli. Part of that probably comes from the fact that the owner/manager is a good friend of mine, Parth is a couple years older then I am and a friend who fills the role of big brother that I normally fill with my friends. That and the food that they serve is some of the best in St. Louis. Not kidding, it's one of the few places that if I could afford it would happily hit three or more times a week and still be happy.

You walk into the front door and are hit with Indian music, some Bollywood mixed with traditional and the smell, you'll likely see the tall scraggly man that is Parth fluttering around the tables checking on everyone before his eyes lock onto you and he greets you from across the room before pointing at an empty table telling you to sit and enjoy, I recommend sitting and when he walks by ask for chai his way, he'll smirk a bit nodding before telling you to go and eat. The Island o'food as I have come to call it is full of chaffing dishes that carry wonderful dishes that feel homemade while the taste is definitely professional.  Every once in a while you'll see a middle aged Indian woman come out of the kitchen like a queen before calling her son over, that is Mama Parth a force of nature that could orginize and run even the most disorganized of armies.

I don't have a favorite dish... it's all so good...  normally a carnivore I'll load up my plate with vegetarian dishes just as easily as meat filled ones... As I stated I am a sucker for good goat, and the best I've had in St. Louis is with out doubt at Haveli. It's a buffet on Sunday Night, Thursday night and every day between 11 and 3, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Nights it's a sit down place that really feels like home with large share able portions and good atmosphere, with the blinds closed you almost feel like your not in St. Louis anymore, instead you're at Grandmama's house sharring food and drink with your large family, while not a secret... exactly it's more of a club with who knows about Haveli, and this is my invitation to all of you to come and join the family.