Blue Mango, Raleigh NC

I promised I would review chow places once in a while. So here comes my once because, first, we haven't had many chances to go out and actually enjoy new places - those who have little kids can relate - and secondly, the times we did go to a new spot, I did not have a camera. I kicked myself for it. 

And here we had an occasion: my birthday, 

opportunity: no kids around, and

time: thanks to 5 hour date night drop in daycare special! And I brought a camera. 

Husband decided to surprise me by bringing me to Raleigh to the Blue Mango. At first I wasn't sure if I should cry or laugh. It was an Indian cuisine place, and last time we had Indian food was not a fun experience. But looking back, it was not the food or the place's fault, we had two tired, cranky, loud children spilling lassi all over white table cloths, running around, talking loud, and overall wanting junk at McDonalds. Plus we were the only "white" looking couple in the whole place with two wild children. Phew. Speaking of feeling looked at funny :) Yep. We were "those" people. 

So Blue Mango.

Pretty great, I say. Polite staff. Nice romantic atmosphere. Smooth music. Plenty of room. We had a table for two, and from my seat I could see everything that was happening in the kitchen, including my food being prepared, bread baked, lamb kebab-ed and grilled, etc. 

Food was amazing. For an appetizer we had paneer bhurji with pooris - yummo! Light and full of flavor. 

For main dinner I ordered Chicken Tikka Masala. It was so flavorful. I could not stop eating, but the portion was enormous, so I forced myself to stop and bring some home for lunch. Husband had Mango Boti Kebab which is basically lamb kebab in mango sauce. It was DELISH! The roasted veggies on the side were so juicy, and fresh and spices just right. We had some good pivo with our meal which completed it just fine. Oh, and the huge boat like dish full of rice came in for both of us to share with our main dish. And the whole evening I heard, " You gotta make this rice," or "I like this, can you make this at home, hon?" or "you gotta learn how to make this." It was a very flavorful basmati rice. We also had Naan (indian pita like bread. Thinner than pita, with butter on top) with our meal. 

Our waiter forgot to bring out my lassi (mango yogurt drink), and when he did we were finished with our dinner. So he gave it to us for free in a to go cup. Pretty cool!

Here is before we dug in. The chef came out to greet us and check on our food. Such a pleasant guy, he made sure everything was ok and if we enjoyed ourselves. 

Nice date night place :)