South Street's Lovash

Authentic Indian Cuisine for Unauthentic Visitors

BY MARISSA OSWALD If you’re seeking massive amounts of authentic curry dishes through which to dredge endless disks of naan, then Lovash on South and 3rd streets is certainly where you’ll find it.

As I walked through the abundantly curtained entrance of Lovash for the first time, I was greeted by a very chipper host.  His enthusiasm at first seemed strange, but I soon found that his happiness springs from his pride in his employer.  Offering us suggestions and happily catering to vegans, the entire staff was incredibly hospitable and nice.

Most of the dishes tasted and looked very authentic. Each curry is served with basmati rice; and there is a long list of Indian flatbreads available, such as parantha, naan, and thali. The standouts of the meal, however, were definitely the flaky coconut and raisin-filled basket of warm naan and Aloo Dum Banarsi – a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce covering lumps of potatoes.  The menu explains that this dish is from Banaras – a “Holy Place,” – and eating it could be described as only slightly short of a holy experience.  The recognizable classic Aloo Gobi, a dish of curried cauliflower and potato, fell short with too dry a sauce and overcooked potatoes.

Despite the incredible selection of samosas, soups, salads, tandoor-fired meats and flatbreads, the lunch specials are well portioned to price.  From 11 am to 3 pm on weekdays, Lovash offers regular menu items for about 5$ as well as platters for 7 dollars that include an entree, chana masala (a heavy dish of spicy tomato and chick peas) and naan.  With a meal like this at your lunch hour, you may find yourself nodding off at work in the afternoon.

Stop by Lovash for weekday specials or a casual weekend meal.  The variety of authentic Indian dishes is decently priced and caters to your tastebuds.