Khajuraho India: Fantastic Lunch Buffet

I love a good lunch buffet. Let me qualify that—for me, a good lunch buffet not only offers delicious items but at a good price. I have gone to fantastic smorgasbords that were exorbitantly priced and dirt-cheap buffets that left much to be desired. Given the adage of "you get what you pay for," an inexpensive lunch buffet with great food is a relative rarity.

The lunch buffet at is a good lunch buffet. My editor sent me there after telling me how much he enjoyed it. I had been planning on taking some girlfriends for dinner (it's fun for girls night out, or date night, because it's BYOB) but the plans fell through, so headed there for lunch. I arrived at the tail end of the lunch hour and could see that the meal reserves were somewhat depleted. I did get to try it all, but things were on the cooler side and some were not hot at all (naan, rice)—but for that, I blame myself for arriving so late.

The lunch buffet changes daily, depending on what the kitchen is cooking. On the day I arrived the line started with the kheer (sweet cardamom Indian rice pudding, an odd placement, I thought), then the "mini salad bar" with vegetables and various chutneys, and then the basmati rice, naan and vegetable pakoras. After that there was turnip masala, lentil curry, tandoori chicken, chicken korma (boneless chicken in a creamy sauce with coriander), palak paneer (homemade cottage cheese cubes with spinach) and some sort of potato dish. I spoke with the owner and some of the items featured in the lunch buffet are not on the menu.

I have eaten in about 100 Indian restaurants in my lifetime and I have never seen a turnip masala. When I mentioned this to the owner he laughed knowingly. It was an interesting and different addition to the fare you expect at Indian places.

The food is good, well seasoned and filling. The lentil curry was a vegetarian delight, and the palak paneer was rich and creamy. I wasn't fortunate enough to get a big juicy piece of tandoori chicken, as most of the pieces left had already been picked over. The chicken korma was also pretty much finished off. The flavorful sauces are always a joy to mop up with naan or kulcha.

Given the unlimited nature of the buffet and affordable check ($10.95) it's a fantastic deal. While not the best Indian food you'll ever have, it is pretty good. Some friends had complained that prices had recently gone up, but the lunch buffet is a way to get the same food for less money. My mango lassi was outstanding and hit the spot, and it cost about half as much as the buffet ($4.95).

There is plenty of Indian music piped in and gorgeous earth tones throughout the restaurant. The service was quite friendly and honest. The owner suggested I come in earlier next time to get a better selection and hotter food. He had a point—it is unrealistic for a straggler diner at 3 p.m. to get the best of the lunch buffet.

To be sure, I'll be back another time.