The India Restaurant in Artesia

Friday, March 22, 2019

CJ organized the dinner tonight at his favorite Indian restaurant.  Artesia which is known as "Little India". Loads of shops, restaurants, businesses all catering to the Indian population. Driving down the main street through the area the palm trees in the medium have lights strung around the trunks. Makes for a really beautiful atmosphere. Anything you want from India is there.  So tonight we are dining at The India Restaurant.  www.theindiarestaurant.net .  Eight of us tonight and loads of wine.

We started out with 3 appetizers. Veggie Bullets  which is potato fingers stuffed with corn and peas. Onion Bhaji, chopped onions which are dredged in flour and deep fried and Samosa's. He ordered a curry sauce to pour on the somosa which gave them a whole, new different taste. Quite good.

Then a platter of Chili Chicken. Dice chicken meat with  green chilies and special sauce. Good flavor but way to spicy for me.  I ate one piece to try it

My favorite of the night is Karahi Gosht which is lamb with tomatoes, onions, turmeric, ginger and other spices. Loads of flavor. Meat was very tender,

Shrimp Marsala was an additional dish. Shrimp were very fresh and cooked perfectly. Not overdone which can be a side affect of sitting in a hot sauce.

Next was Aloo Saag, potatoes and spinach. Again very flavorful.  Then a bowl of Mattar Paneer , cheese and peas in a tomato based sauce with garam masala and other spices. The nice thing about Indian food is you can have the heat from the spices adjusted for your tastes. Everything we had tonight was order mild except of the Chili Chicken which cannot be. It is what it is.

We had garlic naan and a couple of people added a dessert to their dinner. Unfortunately for me I have a head cold and it did a number on me as far as enjoyment of the food and wines. I was there in body but the rest of me was buried. I am listing the wines with no comment because with my taste gone tonight I can't really say anything good or bad about them

NV   Nicolas Feuillatte, Limited Edition, Rose Champagne

NV   Louis Roeder, Brut Premiere, Champagne

2015 Dancin Ecarle, Medford, Oregon, Pinot Noir

2017 Alfonso-Curran, Sta Rita Hills, Gruner Veltliner

2017 Julian Schaal, Alsace Grabd Cru, Rangen, Riesling

2011 Navarro, Anderson Valley, Gewurztraminer

2016 Bella Cavalli Farms,  Santa Ynez, Tempranillo

2007 Sea Smoke, Sta Rita Hills, Southing, Pinot Noir (magnum)

2014 Williams Selyem, Papera Vineyard, Zinfandel

2010 Hillard Bruce, Sta Rita Hills, Sun, Pinot Noir

2017 Tercero,  Camp 4 Vineyard, Santa Barbara County, Mouvedre Rose