Food is very trendy just like clothes, names of children and travel destinations. Right now India is leading the pack with the huge success of Bollywood and of course Slum dog Millionaire. Suddenly all things Indian are appealing and food is not the least of it.
I have always loved all things Indian having traveled there for over six weeks in my early twenties. I never lost my love for the place, the people and especially the cuisine.
The spices alone could send me over the edge with their heady aromas and amazing ability to transform a simple vegetable or protein.
Many Indian places abound in our city but I am often drawn to the smaller mom and pop establishments that are in the neighborhood so I recently paid a visit to Agra Indian Kitchen on Lincoln Boulevard at Washington.
A very small place that is simple and down to earth with friendly and efficient waiters.
We went with another couple who have been there more than once and recommended it for the delicious food.
We ordered a lamb curry, a chicken vindaloo, raita, mango chutney, fish tika masala and a couple naan breads. The food arrived promptly and was spicy, filling and well flavored.
They serve a good size portion of Papadum before the meal arrives with a tasty dipping sauce made with cilantro and another one that is sweetened with tamarind.
The only critique I would offer is that the dishes could use less sauce and more protein but this seems to be an Indian theme as I have noticed this before when eating in these places.
I recommend Agra for a good meal that is inexpensive and satisfying.
Here is a recipe from my recent Indian cooking class in Venice if you want to try this delicious cuisine at home.
Remember it is all bout the spices so don’t use older ones with no flavor, if you can’t identify the spice when you smell it with your eyes closed it is time to throw it away.
Raita
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients
1 English cucumber, halved, seeded, coarsely grated
2 cups whole-milk yogurt
¼ cup packed fresh mint leaves
1 tsp. ground cumin
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
Procedure
1. Drain the cucumber in a sieve over a bowl for about half an hour. Squeeze out any excess water and transfer to a bowl.
2. Meanwhile, drain yogurt in a paper-towel-lined sieve set over a bowl, chilled, 1 hour.
3. Transfer the yogurt to a bowl and add the remaining ingredients, taste for seasoning and chill, covered, at least 1 hour. Serve with naan bread a sprinkling of cayenne on top.
Raita can be chilled in an airtight container up to three days refrigerated.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Burgers and Beer- an American combo
I am happy to say the new Father’s Office in Culver City is open and doing a booming business.
If you don’t know about F.O. as it is known to locals as the best burger to be hand in a bar atmosphere anywhere in L.A. The original F.O. is on Montana and 11th Street and is a small crowded bar with an amazing selection of beers on tap as well as some terrific local wines. The place is charming but you need to arrive early to insure a chance at sitting down as they have an absurd “first come first serve” rule when it comes to getting a table.
We discovered it years ago and have enjoyed many a burger and brew there. The highlight is the burgers as the menu has little else. They come as is- no substitutes- with arugula, caramelized onions, blue cheese and an aioli sauce on the side. No ketchup to be found. The actual burger is thick and juicy and as close to homemade as one could find in the outside world. It comes with a large handful of thin crunchy fries that go perfectly with the aioli sauce. So this is the deal; you get there and push into the bar, order a beer or glass of wine, a burger and maybe their roasted beet salad ( which is large and very well done). They give you a number and then you spend the next 15 minutes hovering over tables that look like they might be almost done. The second someone moves to leave you pounce. This is the way it works at both the original and the latest expanded version of F.O.
So last night we went there at prime time about 8 pm. and found ourselves starving and wishing we didn’t have to go through this painful process before sitting down to enjoy our meal. There were 4 of us so we branched out and stood right next to 4 different tables waiting to get lucky. You have to be aggressive lest the other vultures will nab your spot, so the nice ones finish last.
It took us about 15 minutes to finally slide into seats and as usual the wait was worth it. The same menu and the same non-service abides in the new location with three times the amount of room.
I most definitely recommend the Father’s Office but wish they would grow up and get the staff they need to accommodate us hungry souls.
If you don’t know about F.O. as it is known to locals as the best burger to be hand in a bar atmosphere anywhere in L.A. The original F.O. is on Montana and 11th Street and is a small crowded bar with an amazing selection of beers on tap as well as some terrific local wines. The place is charming but you need to arrive early to insure a chance at sitting down as they have an absurd “first come first serve” rule when it comes to getting a table.
We discovered it years ago and have enjoyed many a burger and brew there. The highlight is the burgers as the menu has little else. They come as is- no substitutes- with arugula, caramelized onions, blue cheese and an aioli sauce on the side. No ketchup to be found. The actual burger is thick and juicy and as close to homemade as one could find in the outside world. It comes with a large handful of thin crunchy fries that go perfectly with the aioli sauce. So this is the deal; you get there and push into the bar, order a beer or glass of wine, a burger and maybe their roasted beet salad ( which is large and very well done). They give you a number and then you spend the next 15 minutes hovering over tables that look like they might be almost done. The second someone moves to leave you pounce. This is the way it works at both the original and the latest expanded version of F.O.
So last night we went there at prime time about 8 pm. and found ourselves starving and wishing we didn’t have to go through this painful process before sitting down to enjoy our meal. There were 4 of us so we branched out and stood right next to 4 different tables waiting to get lucky. You have to be aggressive lest the other vultures will nab your spot, so the nice ones finish last.
It took us about 15 minutes to finally slide into seats and as usual the wait was worth it. The same menu and the same non-service abides in the new location with three times the amount of room.
I most definitely recommend the Father’s Office but wish they would grow up and get the staff they need to accommodate us hungry souls.
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