Just down the block from the Red Line Belmont stop, Standard India’s buffets are a BYOB bargain for the budget-conscious among the Lincoln Park/Lakeview set. The appropriately named place is as standard as they come. Both lunch and dinner feature buffet dining, with prices ($7.95 lunch and $8.95 dinner) that make up for the bland interior and mediocre service. The food is solid, with a surprisingly good selection that mixes meat and veggie dishes, excellent condiments, salad items, soups and desserts.

While you can’t expect the warmest greeting upon arrival, you can look forward to one of two lamb dishes, either the rogan josh (boneless lamb cook in spiced gravy) or lamb vindaloo (specialty of Goa, lamb with potatoes, curry, and fresh coconut), chicken curry (in gravy with herbs and mild spices) or chicken makhani (boneless chicken with tomatoes and butter), mutter paneer (homemade cheese and peas), samosas (fried and filled with potatoes and peas), veggie pakora (fritters in garbanzo bean batter), lentil soup and malai kofta (spiced cottage cheese balls with spiced cream spinach). All are very good.

Centerstage Reviewer: Freda Moon