Udaipur is easily the prettiest city I’ve seen thus far. Our hotel is set on the lake overlooking the white and blue speckled city. It could almost be Greece. On our first night after a day of meandering the streets the four of us who felt like venturing out of the tourist box found ourselves weaving through alleyways in the heavy heat of an Indian summer night. We were off to Natraj, a thali restaurant where we would be the only foreigners. Despite the late hour and still oppressive heat I had been waiting for a food experience like this, and I wasn’t about to miss out. Once we sat down we learned Anthony Bourdain had been there, which while I religiously watch his show and truly enjoy his special brand of snarky narcissism, his presence tends to create hordes of tourists and deceased service. I was relieved to find this was hardly the case, the crowds were all local and the service was ridiculously quick and efficient. Not to mention delicious! Much like in Nepal it’s a set menu of several smaller dishes that are continuously refilled, resulting in an absurd level of fullness. Finally! A food experience worth writing about.

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