While the cozy Du Pain De L'Inde holds down its fort as the go-to spot for cheap but authentic Indian cuisine on the southern end of The Main, the northern neighbourhood folk have been getting a bit miffed with the half hour walk. Those Plateau dwellers will have to trek no more thanks to Lumière de L’Inde, the warm Indian light at the end of a billowing tunnel of Montreal snow.

The first endearing aspect about Lumière de L’Inde is the simple fact that a four course dinner for two with drinks and tip included will rack up to a measly $40. Wait! I know you’re on your way already, but you might want to hear a bit about the food first, no?

The naan. Oh, the naan; proof of India’s timeless culinary expertise served warm, fresh and dripping with flavour. There are a few different incarnations on the menu but the favorite and most interesting is the Naan Peshawari ($2.95). This naan bread is full of sultana raisins and coconut making it more of a pastry unto itself rather than a tandoori sauce sopping vessel.

There is a vast selection of curries, rice dishes, Biryani plates and chutneys on Lumière’s extensive card, but one of the chef’s specialties, the Chef Koorma ($12.50), is not to be missed. Chicken, beef, shrimps and lamb with soft boiled egg and fragrant pulao rice are smothered in a thick white cream sauce with a mild curry flavour. The flavour may be “mild” in this particular dish but most others are quite the opposite. A hearty dose of the cucumber and yogurt raeta ($2.25) is served for the sole reason of calming down a spiced up palette.

The dessert menu is full of mango/ice cream variations but the cheese balls are the way to go. The Gulab Jamun ($2.95) is made up of deep fried homemade cheese balls drizzled with cardamom flavoured syrup.