Dinner at "India Restaurant"

Saturday, January 19, 2008

This was the monthly event of the "Wine & Dine" group. I have missed the last couple of dinners because of other commitments.

The restaurant the month was "The India Restaurant" in Artesia which is known as "Little India". Stores, markets, jewelry, restaurants are for the "Indian" population in the area. Quite unique and worth a day trip to wander around. You don't have to go to India to shop or experience the culture. The great thing about California is that we are so diversified that there is an area devoted to almost every ethnic group. Makes for great dining.

CJ always pre-orders the dishes. Tonight we had:

Saag/Palak - sauteed spinach, ginger, tomatoes, onions, herbs & spices
Vegetable Madras - vegetables sauteed with ginger, herbs, spices and coconut cream
Murgh Makhni - chicken tandoored & cooked in butter, yogurt & tomato gravy
Tandoori Jumbo Shrimp - shrimp spiced with masala and tandoored
Lamb Sheekh Kebab - minced lamb with onions, herbs, spices and tandoored
Pillau Rice - basmati rice with green peas, onions & cashews
Garlic Nan - leavened bread with fresh chopped garlic
Roti - multi layered whole wheat bread stuffed with potatoes and spices.

Dessert was an Indian ice cream. One was mango and the other was pistachio.

Everyone brought a bottle of wine. A couple of the stand outs were - Duckhorn Estate Merlot, William Selyem Russian River Pinot Noir. There were 2 Gerwurztraminer's brought. The Columbia Crest was a little drier that the Hook & Ladder. The Domiane Zind Humbrecht Alscae was good also. I brought an 04 Windward Pinot Noir - its was good but did not compare with the William Selyem.

Next month the "Wine & Dine" is off to a Bulgarian restaurant.