18 of us for dinner tonight at the India Grille in Cypress. Seating ended up being a disaster due to a large birthday party that did not vacate when they were supposed to. Instead of having a long table in the middle of the restaurant we were sat at 3 tables. 5 people at one with banquette seating and outside chairs. 3 of us at banquette seating with outside chairs and in a corner and 10 people at a longer table in the middle. Wines could not be passed around easily. You had to get up and wander to see what was on the other tables. Conversations were limited. Dishes of food were not evenly shared. Banquette seating is difficult because people on the inside have to have a easy way out so you cannot seat more than 4 people in the back. Not the most ideal situation.
Food was very slow in getting out of the kitchen. They were simply over whelmed. It was just one of those days. Rained all day. Light but rain. Almost everyone brought white wines and most were not good. I only tasted two whites that to me were drinkable. We had to get a glass to use for a dump. The people at the table I was sitting at agreed with me.
We started out with Paneer Pokoras, cheese that was dipped in batter and fried. Vegetable Pokoras, mix of vegetables, battered and deep fried and Chicken Tikka, fillets of white meat marinated. All were good as always.
Main courses consisted of Lamb Chau Chau, pan fried noodles with pieces of lamb and vegetables.
Nirvana Chicken, Chicken Tikka in a coconut sauce. Very good.
Shrimp Marsala, shrimp simmered in butter, tomates and cream sauce. This must have been popular because I ended up with one shrimp.
Vegetables Korma, one of my favoirite dishes, mixed vegetables in a creamy cashew curry.
Of course we had to have Basmati rice and Garlic Naan
Dessert was a choice of Gulab Jamun, deep fried dumplings in a creamed milk and saffron syrah or Pistachio Ice Cream. I opted for the ice cream and it is not as filling as sweet dumplings.
As always the quality of the food was very good. Once the restaurant got back into a normal rhythm service was much better. It was just way too much for a small restaurant to handle two large parties back to back. There is no easy way to tell the first group that they over extended themselves and to get out. When people are having a good time they want to linger.
Wines were a really mixed bag. A few good but most mediorce. Some I never tasted and did not see on the tables
2009 Drew, Weir Vineyards, Yorkville Highlands, Pinot Noir
NV Louis Bouillot Champagne
NV Segura Viudas, Riserva, Cava Brut
2008 Gertarioko Amestoi, Takolina, Cusecha, Spain
2011 Firestone Gewurztraminer
2009 Huber, Sta Rita Hills, Barrel Select, Pinot Noir
2012 Wiens, Temecula, Rose of Pinot Noir
NV J Cuvee (sparkling)
2009 Benovia, Savoy Vineyards, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir
2012 Zocker, Paragon Vineyards, Edna Valley, Gruner Veltliner
2012 Seghesio, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
2012 Oreana, Santa Barbara County Verdelho
2011 Dumol, Clove Vineyard, Carneros, Chgardonnay
2012 Anthill Frams, Tia Marie Vineyards, Russian Piver, Pinot Noir
2009 Tablas Creek, Rousanne
2012 Tablas Creek, Cotes de Tablas Blanc
2012 Tablas Creek, Palilin de Tablas Rose
2013 Dr. Heidemanns Bergweiler, Dry Reisling
2009 Maison Louis Latour, Marsannay, Burgundy, France
2012 Sonora Cutrer, Sonoma Coast, Chardonnay
2011 Sequoia Grove, Cabernet Sauvignon
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