Marin restaurateurs share their unique food heritages - straight from their hometowns to your plate.
 BY AMY SHERMAN

Surinder Sroa owns and operates Lotus Cuisine of India and its    street-food counterpart Lotus Chaat in San Rafael, as well as Cafe Lotus in Fairfax. While both his son and his nephew play active roles, he credits his wife, Linda, with encouraging him to use top-quality ingredients, make the restaurant as sustainable as possible, and cater to locals with vegan diets, gluten sensitivity and other needs. In 2013, renovations to the original location, opened in 1998, made it the first certified green Indian restaurant in Marin.

A farmer in India, Sroa worked in the grocery business when he came to the United States. As a restaurateur he places the same premium on honesty and strong customer service he observed in his father, who ran a grocery store in rural India: "Karma is going to get me back," he says.

For Sroa, finding what works has been an evolving process. He uses as many organic ingredients as possible and even worked with a customer to learn how to prepare completely gluten-free food for people with celiac disease. Cooks at his restaurants make their own breads and use ghee made from Clover's organic butter and locally grown Lundberg Family Farms rice; the restaurants also serve organic and sustainable wines. People in Marin "are more educated," Sroa notes. "They know about food."

All three restaurateurs ( including Surinder ) are actively involved in the community, donating food to charities and participating in fundraisers. Avatar's and Lotus both provide large pre-Thanksgiving meals free of charge; at Avatar's close to 2,000 people were served under a tent in 2016. Lotus has participated in the Sausalito Film Festival and donates to seniors. "Some people leave tips, and we match them and give them to the food bank," Sroa says.

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The next Marin Green Drinks business mixer held at Lotus Cuisine takes place on Valentines Day February 14, 2017 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM. Our guest speaker will be James Farag of Patagonia Provisions.

Find out why Patagonia has gotten into food! Learn about Long Root Ale, created to highlight Kernza perennial grain as an example of organic regenerative agriculture.

Marin Green Drinks is a free business mixer held every 2nd Tuesday of the month at Lotus Cuisine of India a certified green business in downtown San Rafael.

Relax, mingle and network with people living and working as green as we can.

See you there!

  

 

Craving for some Indian Dishes check out Lotus Cuisine of India's New Take Out Menu!

Lotus can also make your favorite old dish that's not on the menu. What are you waiting for? Visit us at 704 Fourth Street San Rafael, for reservations you can call us at (415) 456-5808.

We want to hear from you! Leave us a comment on our facebook page or leave us your message here.

 

A must-see event showcasing the rich and diverse classical arts of India.

North Bay Hindu Center in collaboration with Sangam Arts presents SANSKRITI 2017 - an annual festival exploring Indian Cultural Heritage through classical dance and music featuring performances from across the subcontinent by well-known artists and emerging talent from the Bay Area. A fundraiser for North Bay Hindu Temple Project.

This is the SECOND Annual festival - last year's event was very well received and a huge success!! The event will be featuring Hindustani & Carnatic instrumental and vocal music, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Mohiniyattam by world-class artists.

Get your tickets here.