Roti enews:: SEPTEMBER '06

1. SPECIALS FOR SEPTEMBER

Appetizer: Malai Kofta - For those of you who think a fried wedge of Brie cheese is 'to-die-for'....then you will have to try our very cultural Indian version. It starts with our homemade Paneer (farmers cheese), cashew nuts, golden raisons, sliced almonds, ground coriander, cumin, red chili pepper and sea salt. This crumbly blend is formed into balls, fried and served in a luscious, creamy sauce of fresh tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, red chili pepper, black pepper and fenugreek. Garnished with toasted sliced almonds, this dish delivers some amazing flavors. Enjoy some of our fresh Naan from the Tandoor on the side to soak up the remaining sauce once the Kofta has vanished from the dish. $11.

Main Course Seafood dish: Salmon Masala - This is a dish I often prepare for family and friends, and would like to share it with all of you at Roti. I use a mortar and pestle at home to blend together a fragrant Masala of sea salt, red chili pepper, black pepper, cumin, coriander, fresh garlic and ginger and olive oil. The fresh wild Salmon is rubbed with the Masala, placed in the tandoor and grilled to a flavorful, buttery texture. With a squeeze of fresh lemon, there is no better way to enjoy this delicate flaky fish. $16.

Vegetable dish: Aloo Kebab - A Tandoori potato delight that will send French Fries running to hide. Fresh farm potatoes are pre-cooked and mixed with lentils, cottage cheese, sea salt, black pepper, crushed chillies, coriander and cumin. The mix is formed around a skewer and placed in the Tandoor until crispy brown on the outside. The Aloo Kebab (potato "tubes") are sliced and placed on a bed of red and green cabbage that has been lightly sauteed in olive oil with shallots, roasted cumin seeds, and a sprinkle of Roti's garam masala. It is served on a plate drizzled with our sweet and earthy tamarind chutney. Enjoy! $10.

Due to the great reception you gave our August specials, we will continue to offer them through the month of September, in addition to the new September specials. To remind you, the August specials were:

Main Course Seafood dish:
Goa Prawn Curry $16

Vegetable dish:
Miloni Sabzi $10

Coffee: Served in French press style right at your table. Decaffeinated coffee is also available. $5

The July specials of the Karahai Gosht and the Mushroom Mattar have been discontinued.

2. WINNER The winner of a complimentary dinner for 2 valued at $60 for the month of August '06 is: Mary Herlihy

CONGRATULATIONS, and please continue to add your business cards to the collection bowl at the front of the restaurant, and fill out the feedback forms in the guest check envelope after you complete your dining experience. This will insure your chances for future monthly draws of a Roti dinner for 2 valued at $60.

These complimentary dinner prizes need to be used within the month following the draw, so the July '06 winners should call in and reserve their table within the month of August '06. We will notify winners by phone as well as by adding their names to the newsletter.

3. HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Please note that we will be closed on Labor Day, September 4 '06, in order to carry out some maintenance in the restaurant.

4. TASTES OF INDIA The next tasting of 'bite-sized' delicacies and new wines is scheduled for Saturday October 14 '06 at 4pm.

5. RECIPE RELEASE Seeing as I make the Salmon with Masala for visiting friends and family, I thought the gourmet cooks among you would like to do the same. If not, well you can always bring friends and family into the restaurant and treat them to our September Special! Click Here To Download The Salmon With Masala Recipe as a PDF file.

6. INDIAN IMMERSION a. What is the official Hindi name for The Republic Of India?
b. Who was the first Prime Minister of the Independent India?
c. What is the doctrine for which Mohandas Gandhi is internationally esteemed?
(see answers below)

Indian cultural activities out and about town... in addition to Roti being the cultural experience of great Indian Cuisine in the West Portal 'Village':

• Kathak at the Crossroads-Innovation Within Tradition at Yerba Buena Center For The Arts September 28th - 30th. Individual performance tickets are on sale now.
  
  The critically acclaimed Chitresh Das Dance Company/Chhandam School of Kathak Dance (CDDC/Chhandam) presents Kathak at the Crossroads-Innovation Within Tradition, a three day international festival including performances, lecture demonstrations and panel discussions relating to the history, evolution and current ecology of Kathak in its artistic, cultural and global contexts. The festival and symposium will include artists, scholars, teachers, presenters, critics, sponsors, students and other dance enthusiasts from around the world. CDDC/Chhandam was founded in 1980 by renowned Kathak master Pandit Chitresh Das, and is dedicated to the preservation, promotion and education of Kathak dance and Indian Culture. Based in San Francisco, the company performs internationally and most frequently throughout the United States, Canada and India.
• Roti is sponsoring the Red Tie Gala at Nieman Marcus, in aid of the Little Sisters Of The Poor St Anne's Home on Lake Street. The Gala will be held on Friday November 3rd from 7pm to 11pm. Look for us there and come and enjoy some of our great food.

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS Local author, Jacquie Proctor came in and dined with her family recently. She has researched and written a fascinating book on the history of San Francisco west of Twin Peaks, which naturally includes our Village of West Portal. You can find out more about Jacquie and her book by going to her website www.mtdavidson.org. My belief is that the pioneers of this area would be well pleased to find a great meal to eat at Roti Indian Bistro :-)

 

To send us your suggestions and comments for future newsletters, please email us at rotinews@yahoo.com . Please do not use that email to unsubscribe from the newsletter. The link at the end of this newsletter will be the most automatic, immediate, and effective way to unsubscribe.

We look forward to seeing you at Roti in the near future. Warm regards, Susan Gujral On behalf of our family, the Executive Chef and the great staff members of Roti Indian Bistro, West Portal.

Answers to Indian Immersion Questions a. Bharat. The Constitution of India and common usage recognise Bharat as an official name, India is also recognized with equal status. (Reference Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia)
b. Jawaharlal Nehru
Born Nov. 14, 1889, Allahabad, India
Died May 27, 1964, New Delhi
Known by name Pandit (Hindi: "Pundit," or "Teacher") Nehru. The first prime minister of independent India (1947-64), who established parliamentary government and became noted for his "neutralist" policies in foreign affairs. He was also one of the principal leaders of India's independence movement in the 1930s and '40s.. (Reference Encyclopedia Britannica Online)
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Born Oct. 2, 1869, Porbandar, India
Died Jan. 30, 1948, Delhi
Known by name Mahatma ("Great-Souled") Gandhi. Leader of the Indian nationalist movement against British rule, considered to be the father of his country. He is internationally esteemed for his doctrine of nonviolent protest to achieve political and social progress. (Reference Encyclopedia Britannica Online)