MEET YOUR HOSTS

Vinod & Shikha Kapoor are the owners of Masala Art in Needham.
They started off as owners of a small basement restaurant in Back Bay
called Kebab-N-Kurry in 1980. After winning the Best of Boston in the
early 80's they decided to expand their business. They opened another
Kebab-N-Kurry in Providence, R.I. After several years of success in the
business of Indian Cuisine, they opened Bombay Club in 1991.
This was a change from the traditional Indian restaurant. They decided
that the Indian Restaurant Industry needed a more upscale dining
facility. They proved that when they opened the 126 seat, well decorated,
and operated Bombay Club. Since 1991, the Kapoors have gone on to
open Bombay Club in Faneuil Hall (a fast food concept) 1998, Curry
Leaf in Natick (2003) and most recently Masala Art (2003).

Masala Art is a contemporary, upscale Indian eatery, a new concept to
New England. The idea for the restaurant sprung from surrounding
competition. In an era where almost every Boston area Indian
restaurant had similar menus and decors, the trendsetting couple
decided once again that it was time to for a paradigm shift. Observing
that the Boston and Cambridge areas were becoming saturated with
Indian eateries, they decided to move their newest concepts to the
suburbs. Opening Curry Leaf and Masala Art within one year was a
challenge, but once again a trendsetting development.

The concept of Masala Art is unique to other Indian Restaurants. Firstly,
the décor is unlike any other. The restaurants design itself took close
to three years in development. The extended time spent is showcased
in every detail of the restaurant, from the sculptures of Lord Ganesha
(The God of Prosperity) behind the bar, to the fiber-optic lighting that
illuminate the main dining areas, and the silk covered pillows that rest
on the beautifully designed banquets. The real exhibit however is the
"Spice Bar," an exclusive nine-seat bar which is actually a small
kitchen created in the dining area where guests can have an
interactive cooking/dining session with the executive chef by
reservation. Guests can choose from preset menu options which
include vegetarian, non-vegetarian and seafood selections.

Masala Art is the Kapoors dream and passion. The name itself is title
describing "the art of blending spices." The notion of the Spice Bar
and Masala Art is to erase the common misconception that Indian
cuisine must be spicy in order to be authentic. The idea of Masala Art
is to blend spices together to create certain flavors that do not
necessarily need to be overpowering to the tongue.

Aside from the Spice Bar, Masala Art a la carte menu boasts fine
contemporary Indian selections from many different regions of India. Try
the Lamb Khabarga - barbecued lamb chops first grilled over a charcoal
flame then finished in an exotic curry sauce enriched with Kashmiri spices.
Of course the menu offers Indian favorites such as 'Palak Paneer' and
'Chicken Tikka Masala,' however, Masala Art offers choices that would
otherwise require customers to take a trip to India to indulge in.

The experience of dining at Masala Art is just short of going to a palace in
India itself. The characteristics of the restaurant are subtly traditional
yet presented in a contemporary fashion. It can be seen in the menus
as well as the china and dishware that are used for serving, which
were all made and shipped from India specifically designed
for Masala Art.