DESI BAR AND GRILL: WORCESTER MA

I've come to realize this: If you discover a restaurant tucked away in a plaza that contains a barber shop, a cell phone store, or an automotive repair shop...it's likely to be fantastic.

This place is no exception. It's in the back of a plaza with a hardware store and (of course) a barber shop, and if you weren't looking for it, you'd probably drive right by and miss it.

I ordered the most basic of white bitch choices: chicken tikka masala and a ginger cardamom martini.

The martini was so good that I ordered a second round, and it was a completely different martini. The first was clear, the second was a golden yellow. Honestly, I didn't even care because they were both delicious.

When I ordered my dish, the waitress asked me how spicy I wanted it. I told her that I wanted it super spicy.

She explained that there were four levels: mild, medium, hot, and "on fire." Of course, you know what I picked.

I have never seen a waitress look so terrified about an order. "You don't understand...our hot is very very hot. You should get that. 'On fire' is too much."

I gave her my usual speech, "Yeah, I know I look like a boring white lady who will can't handle the heat of a pepper shaker, but I have a stomach of iron. I can take it."

She whispered something like, "I'm scared for you," and then repeated that I would regret getting the hottest spice.

I promised her I wouldn't complain if it was too hot for me. And honestly, I appreciated her care and input...which was simply pushing me harder into wanting to find out exactly how hot their hottest level was.

When the food came to the table, I took my first bite with trepidation...only to realize that this was like a medium-hot in my personal heat scale that starts at "What a waste of time" and ends with "simmering coals lining my digestive tract for the next 24 hours."

The waitress watched me from across the room, clearly waiting for the sweats and coughing fit that was never to come. I gave her a little wave to tell her I was okay. She then came over to ask me if I wanted MORE hot pepper, which I declined.

The food was delicious, and I'm very picky about Indian food since it's one of my favorite types of cuisine.

The drinks were strong and tasty, and once they get more experience with that part I would totally come back to daydrink here.

And the servers were very sweet and accommodating.

AND because I'm an old hag now, I will note that there is ample parking, which is a rarity in the Woo. I love finding places where I don't need to think about my parking situation.

All in all, a fantastic addition to the Indian restaurant scene in this area. We've got lots of Indian places, but very few sit-down restaurants that serve alcohol.

And if you're a fan of the heat like I am, don't let them scare you away from their hottest option. They are definitely overcautious in  steering you away from potential regret.