Taj’s dishes big in both size and taste

It was the biggest thing I’d ever seen on a plate.

When it arrived, I was still picking through the remains of our Tandoori Mixed Grill appetizer, finishing every spicy bite of lamb and chicken on the fajita-like sizzling plate.

My wife, Barbara, was praising the rice that came with her spinachy Saag Lamb and her gal pal Sue Anne Sirmons’ creamy Taj Chicken Korma.

And then it was there.

Sue Anne’s beau, David Harrell, had to lean back in his chair as the server put the Mysore Masala Dosa in front of him.

I can give you several reason’s to eat at Taj Indian Restaurant— the super rice, the good prices, the helpful staff, the memorable spices, the experience of seeing a list of entrees under the heading of “Goat” — but nothing tops that dosa.

It was the size and shape of a furled flag. It was both crunchy and diaphanous. It was like a pastry, but it was spicy instead of sweet.

And it was the biggest thing I’d ever seen on a plate.

So big that David didn’t mind sharing. My good fortune. I loved that dosa.

My wife’s such a great cook, that dining out for us is more than a search for good food. We like something fun, something different.

And we found that at Taj, right from the beginning when they served us a big (as in plate-size) cracker and dip, through the wonderful lamb all the way to the last bite of dosa, which I had at home later that night.

Oh, yeah, that’s right. I took the remains of the big boy with me.

To contact writer Randy Waters, call 744-4240.

Taj Indian Restaurant

2 and a half stars

Address: 5033 Brookhaven Road, Suite 300

Phone: 785-8540

Hours: Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; dinner: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday

Price range: $3.95 to $12.95 (most entrees are between $7.95 to $10.95)

Payment: Cash, debit, credit

Smoking: No

Alcohol: Yes

Kids Menu: No

Noise Level: Low