A few years ago there was an Indian restaurant in Columbia Heights, MN. that I just loved. A few months after my "discovery" of it, it caught fire and burned down. I was very disappointed. Fast foward a few years and earlier this year I find myself out in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin visiting a winery only to spot a place by the same name, The Vegetarian. However it is closed. Boo. I don't get to see the VEGAN FOOD sign too often so I always want to investigate when I do.

Earlier this fall in October, I took some friends out to the same winery for a visit as it is a neat place, Chauteau St. Croix Winery and found the same little place open for dinner this time. We did not hesitate to stop in and was so happy to find that it was the same place that had caught fire! How terrible for them but now so great ! The food is as amazing as I remember. Dark, scented teas, fragrant dahl but the real stand-out dish is the Paper Masala Dosa. Not a dish you find easily in the Midwest. This one melts in your mouth. They also make the food spicy. Midwest spice can often lack and you usually have to ask for the melt-your-face-off flavour that I like. Your best bet is Indian and Thai food for hot, hot, hot. The only catch for me is this place is pretty far from home. It is however, near many wineries and as I continue to explore them I will also have to eat. Let's not pretend that wine does not make you hungry. It most certainly does and as such you can be glad to eat warm, comforting Indian food in tiny towns in Wisconsin.