“The Secret Is Out!!!” Schaumburg is where it’s at!

***** A little over a month ago, we were invited to Schaumburg for what was called a true tasting experience of Indian food that we were told would boggle our brains. I have had many Indian cuisines during my years of covering restaurants, and as a board member of the Devon Nortown Chamber of Commerce, could not escape dining in an Indian restaurant at least once a month. We went to the Secret Kitchen located in Schaumburg for what they termed a menu tasting. In fact, we never knew what we were eating until after we ate, but they did make sure that we never were served any dish that was over spiced. Yes, they prepare each meal as ordered and if you ask for light spice ( or heavy spice) you will be served a plate that is just what you ordered. They do it perfectly.

Tonight, Jane and I went back with our grandson, Adam, who is doing an internship in the south suburbs, so he let us in Schaumburg at 1411 Schaumburg Rd. This is kind of off the beaten path so to speak. They are in a small strip center just a few blocks West of Schaumburg High School. When we were first invited, we assumed they would be in the Woodfield corridor ( where all the action is), but after spending our second visit and watching the people come in and out, on a Tuesday evening when the temperature was near 87 at 5:30 p.m., it appeared to me that they were in the perfect space, plenty of parking, easy access and wonderful food.

If you are unfamiliar with Indian dining, you will be fine, as they have a wonderful and quite knowledgeable staff, who will go over the items on the menu and explain each one to you, and based on our experience with Tushar and Amelia, you will enjoy every item. I know we did! I was prepared to try one of the exotic drinks, but my cardiologist has put me on a NO liquor menu for a while, so I went with one of their exotic mocktails ( the Peachy Bellini was delicious). Jane and Adam shared a TSK Sangria Signature as a beverage and then the fruit filled bottom of the glass.

The menu can be a little confusing as it is divided into Soups and Street Food, The First Plate ( veg and not).

From The First Plate-

we loved the Punjab Kukkad Tikka: juicy chicken chunks marinated in rustic punjab spices and grilled to perfection, and Chicken Lollipop- Again, juicy chicken winglets deep fried in a tangy sauce, This was not spicy for anyone. From The Street Food menu, Parmesan Cheese Pav Bhaji- Mumbai-style bhaji ( deep fried fritters made of veggies), finished with parmesian, Quite tasty and again, mild spic, so we all enjoyed.

The Newabi Lamb Chops were divine. Brought to the table while still heating up, they were a sheer delight If you are a lover of lamb chops, you might devour an order on your own, but there are so many great flavors to savor, I say, share them all and get the true experience that discovering the Secret Kitchen will unveil to you.

Our last items ( not counting a dessert) was the Fried Butter Checken. We added two items that completed the meal. The Jeera Rice and the Dai Tadka (yellow lentels) mixing the rice and butter chicken with the Dai and putting it on a Naan ( a special bread that is “to die for”) makes this even more special.

We were all pretty well fed, but felt that we needed to try their Kesar Mango Rasmalai. It was divine, and while Adam had to meet some friends, Jane and I made sure that this glorious desert did not go to waste ( well , it might have gone to waist).

The Secret Kitchen is a place to go for an experience that is pretty close so one- of -a – kind. There are two others, but this is the only one in the United States and we are lucky to have it. Getting a reservation can be difficult, but they are expanding ( yes, already) and will be adding more room as soon as they can.