Florida Burger Lover: Malabar - Santa Cruz, California

We only visited Santa Cruz for about 24 hours. When we checked in to our hotel we asked the manager to recommend a nice restaurant for dinner. He asked if we were vegetarian and we told him although we are not, that we did enjoy vegetarian cuisine some of the time. He told us that we had to try a place called Malabar, which was within walking distance, because it was one of his favorites and that we would not be disappointed.

When we arrived we were the only ones there, but it was early and a few other tables filtered in shortly. At first glance we thought it was an Indian restaurant because most of the dishes were curries, dosas and other Indian specialties, however after speaking to the manager it was actually part Indian part Shri Lankan. 

I started with a Sugarless Lemongrass Mint Soda $4.25, it was crisp and super refreshing.

We then had the Avocado Beet Salad, (arugula, sliced beets, avocado, lemon preserves $8) 

It was outstanding. The golden beets were boiled and then sliced paper thin, the arugula gave it a peppery flavor, while the lemon preserves gave it some sour and the avocado gave it some creaminess.

The flavors all worked beautifully together and we quickly devoured it.

Then for our entrees we ordered the Vegetable  Korma (squash, carrots, bell peppers, green beans, pistachios, raisins, cashews, cardamom clove poppy seed curry $13) 

This dish was amazing. It was like all of the vegetables had been formed together into these big chunks and then stewed in a curry of all of my favorite Indian spices.

My mouth is watering just thinking about it.  

We also ordered Asparagus Kerala (asparagus, mustard seeds, curry leaf, fresh coconut gravy, lime, cashews $13) 

This was also a very nice dish, fresh with big, bright flavors.  

Also for a mere $2.50 we had an order of Brown Rice Biryani, which had caramelized onions and lentils making a great carb to go with our meals.  

We could have easily stopped there, but then we saw them bring out a Dosa to another table and decided that we needed one as well.

We also saw that they offered an Eggplant Dosa, which neither of us had ever heard of before.

(sweet tangy ceylon eggplant in a crispy lentil crepe, served with habanero mango chutney, coconut sambal, cilantro coconut chutney, peanut coconut sambal, sambar $12.50)

We both love eggplant so we decided to get it. It was one of the most unique and delicious Dosas that either of us have ever had, crisp and light with the  almost-sweet, tender eggplant filling. The variety of chutneys was also a fine array of flavors completing our meal with ultimate satisfaction and a love for Malabar.