Today's Takeout Pick: Woodlands Indian Vegetarian Cuisine

The most frivolous yet debilitating culinary casualty of COVID-19 has to be the buffet. The ability to taste an ungodly amount of foods before committing to any one is an actually good hallmark of American society. (Buffets actually originated in Europe, but I think we all know which nation took them to a whole ‘nother all-you-can-eat level.)

Woodlands has long been one of Nashville’s favorite places to buffet, especially for vegans, vegetarians and anyone keeping kosher. That’s all changed now, and we may never get our beloved buffet back. But as Job says, “The lord giveth and the lord taketh away” — and right now the lord giveth just what we need: Woodlands delivered! Finally! (Side note: Job is also the book of the Bible that addresses the sticky wicket of theodicy, aka the defense of God's justice in the light of humanity's suffering, which seems pretty on-the-nose right now.)

After much research into every menu item, I ordered Woodlands Friday night. It was even better than I remembered. Yes, the barrier for entry will be high for some simply because Woodlands is vegetarian — it shouldn’t be. As a person whose stomach typically growls like clockwork at 10 p.m. if I don’t have meat with dinner, Woodlands filled me up and then some. The only reason I got out of bed at 10 p.m. was for more noodles.

Here’s everything I ordered (plus some random, possibly stupid, completely subjective comparisons intended to help out any Indian-food virgins).

Coconut tomato soup

Coconut milk, fresh tomatoes and spices. Like your favorite tomato soup, but richer, spicier and deeper in flavor.

Samosas

Handmade fried pastry stuffed with spiced potatoes. Crusty and flaky like spanakopita, but nutty, earthy and supremely filling. Ask for a side of their coconut chutney for dipping. It’s the jam.

Paneer pakora

Soft paneer slices fried with chickpea batter. Paneer is an Indian cheese that gives me halloumi vibes — salty, squeaky and firm when fried. These are kind of the cheesesticks of Indian food, and thus clearly awesome.

Paneer Chilli Gravy

Cottage cheese cubes sautéed with onions, bell peppers, ginger, garlic and soy sauce. Saucy, fragrant and great over rice. If you wince at the cottage cheese bit, don’t. My husband, a lifelong hater of my beloved cottage cheese, agreed that paneer will change your mind.

Hakka noodle

Capellini-thin noodles stir-fried with crunchy vegetables and peas, ginger, garlic and soy sauce. Vastly better than any Indo-Chinese noodles you’ve had before. This and the paneer dishes were my lights-out favorites.

Coconut curry

Veggies stewed with coconut milk, tomatoes, curry leaves and spices. Packed with toothsome cauliflower, carrots, broccoli and onions. This is crowd-pleasing comfort food and an ideal starter item for kids or people just beginning to explore Indian food.

Rava masala (chef’s special)

Lacy fried rice batter, stuffed with onions, grated paneer, green chilis and potato masala (spiced, smashed potatoes). Originally I thought this had nuts in it, but they were actually lentils that, delightfully, hadn’t been cooked to death. It also gave me hashbrown casserole vibes with a dash of arancini.

Rasmalai

Homemade milk patties swimming in sweet milk and topped with pistachio powder. Ras means “juice” and malai means “cream” in the language of Bengal, where the dish originated, so it’s almost like dessert soup. Think tiramisu in a sweet milk sauce that would be delightful added to your coffee.

Order Woodlands

Order online for takeout or through Postmates for delivery. Lunch hours are 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday (and until 2:30 on Saturday and Sunday); dinner is daily from 5 to 9 p.m. (and until 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday).

Below is a list of Nashville restaurants (with links) remaining open for takeout and delivery during the COVID-19 shutdown. While some may have had existing relationships with delivery providers, most of this list are offering the service for the first time. Most offer curbside pickup, but check when you order. As this list is a moving target, please leave any changes, suggestions or omissions in the comments.

Ashley Brantley

Coconut tomato soup

Samosas

Paneer pakora

Paneer Chilli Gravy

Hakka noodle

Coconut curry

Rava masala (chef’s special)

Rasmalai

Order Woodlands

Places with takeout or delivery as of Friday, June 26

Ashley Brantley

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