St. Louis, MOIndian

Start with the vegetable pakora and its tamarind and mint chutneys, or the crisp onion bhajia. Naan and condiments such as raita and sour achaar pickles accompany the meal. Order the baingan bharta, roasted eggplant sauteed with ginger, onions and tomatoes.

South Indian dishes here include thakkali rasam, a tomato broth, and a dosa finished with truffle oil. The fried cauliflower comes in a sweet, sticky, spicy sauce. Portions are small and the menu also makes room for inventive takes on traditional dishes.

The vegetable chettinad combines mixed vegetables and beans in a coconut sauce with garam masala, mustard seeds, curry leaves, garlic and onion. Order it with plain rice at the Euclid Avenue dining room.

This Chesterfield kitchen offers several breads for scooping: layered paratha, deep-fried batura, cheese garlic naan and plain naan. Order them with paneer tikka masala, with soft cheese, peppers and onions, and dal makhani, a buttery lentil dish.

Raj and Shweta Pandey and their partner Sanjiv Shekhar run this Chesterfield Indian restaurant. Order rogan josh with tender lamb and chile heat, then the signature Andhra sea bass or grilled Zafrani lamb chops in saffron sauce. The Clarkson Road original is the location listed here.