La Sani Grill, tucked away in a strip mall, quietly serves some really amazing butter chicken and other Indian and Pakistani favourites.

Of course, the best stuff comes off their titular grill, all kinds of kebabs, tikkas, chicken shashlik, lamb shank and beef tikka boti. They’ve also got lunch specials and even tikka masala poutine that top out at under ten bucks.

The understated interior is caught between class and casual, dark wood tables filling out a fair amount space that I’m assuming gets tighter during rushes.

The real action is where that grill is, narrowly spied through a slender window behind the counter.

Their clay tandoor is also back there, which cooks their heavenly fluffy naan as well as some other dishes like lamb chops.

They use the traditional method of stretching the dough over a special pillow before slapping it onto the side of the oven, giving it its form.

Rogani naan ($1.49) is the most typical with a touch of butter.

Garlic is $2.49, and it’s $3.49 for paneeri kulcha stuffed with seasoned paneer cheese.

Butter chicken ($11.49) can be found in the “karahi” section of the menu, referring to the traditional circular dark-coloured pot these dishes are traditionally served in, mimicked here. The chicken’s been marinated overnight in yogurt and spices.

Their slurpable, sumptuous makhani sauce is garnished with white butter, fresh cream, sliced green chilies and crushed fenugreek leaves for not only a colourful but herby and aromatic finish with a hit of heat (that’s actually sort of well balanced by the salad that comes interestingly with accompanying naan and mint sauce instead of rice).

Chicken tikka boti ($11.49) marinates huge chunks of boneless chicken in freshly ground herbs and spices. Opt for a bone-in half chicken with chicken tikka tandoori ($11.99).

Reshami kebab ($11.49) is a Medieval Indian Mughlai-style dish made with chicken marinated for a long while in spices and lightly braised. All chicken, beef and lamb dishes are served with rice, salad, naan and mint sauce; you’ll have to order rice for other dishes.

This mini-chain of takeout and dine-in Indian and Pakistani cooking also has locations in Ajax and Mississauga.