In the Sanskrit language, the word “vilas” translates to “delight,” “pleasure” or “luxury,” and a new Indian restaurant ensures that each bite evokes the best of those experiences and more.
Desi Vilas opened at 324 Harmony Meadows Court in Dardenne Prairie last spring and has slowly cultivated a loyal customer base with delicious and affordable Indian delicacies.
Owned by a team of three – Prashanthi Chirunomula, Neeharika Molabanti, and another owner who wished to remain anonymous – Desi Vilas serves typical Indian fare: biriyani, chicken curry, vegetable curry, naan breads and dosas.
Born out of a passion for creating authentic Indian cuisine, the trio wanted a physical location where customers could get high-quality food at a fair price point.
Rather than a typical dine-in restaurant, Desi Vilas operates more like a classic takeout counter. Place an order, grab the food when it’s ready, and walk two doors down to an additional seating area at 306 Harmony Meadows Court.
What Desi Vilas is famous for are their Mysore bondas: the samosa’s rounder, spicer and fluffier cousin. The outer layer is crispy and golden brown. Break open the fist-sized bonda, and bite into a spicy potato filling. Accompanied by tomato and coconut chutney, the Mysore bonda makes for the perfect afternoon snack, one that hails customers all the way from Maryland Heights. Regional delicacies are a must-have, like punagulu, akin to a savory doughnut hole made from lentil batter.
Can’t decide what to get? Opt for a lunch combo that includes one appetizer, chicken curry, flavored rice, and naan bread. A vegetarian lunch combo is also available.
In addition to their regular menu, Desi Vilas offers a new daily special. The weekly deals have built a local cult following for Desi Vilas, as customers affectionately refer to Desi Vilas as the “mess hall,” the owners explain.
On Tuesdays, drop by to try some chaat, known as Indian street food. Chaat items include pani puri, a delectable hors d’oeuvre that features a fried, circular shell, filled with a potato and chickpea mixture and a spicy cilantro and mint water that creates a liquid flavor bomb.
Wednesdays are for biriyani, a layered rice dish. Feeling spicy? Excite those taste buds with their “pachi mirchi” biriyani: basmati rice and fresh green chile paste layered together to create a spicy, tangy bite.
Thursdays feature dosas, a crispy lentil crepe that can have a variety of fillings, like spiced chicken, potatoes and paneer, a type of Indian cheese.
On April 24, make sure to stop by Desi Vilas as they celebrate their one-year anniversary with delectable snacks, meals, and deals.
Visit Desi Vilas from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.
Follow Desi Vilas on Instagram and Facebook for delectable deals and meals.