India Grill

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Margie's first wine dinner of the year. India Grill in Cypress. www.ocindiagrill.com. 12 of us tonight. 4 people had to cancel. There has been a change in ownership. I will say I think the food is better now. Fried foods are not oily like before.

The Papadam with sauces came out. I do not eat this fried bread. It is too dry for me. and lacks flavor. You have to have the sauces to make it palatable.But there was a lot of it for the table

We started out with Vegetables Pokoras and Paneer Pokoras. Both were very good but the Paneer was the best.

Butter Chicken which is chicken in a creamy tomato butter sauce. Mild sauce, chicken was not overcooked.

Shrimp Masala. Shrimp in a butter, tomato, cream sauce. Shrimp were tender.

Lamb Chau Chau. Pan fried noodles with diced lamb and vegetables. A bit of a spicy bite to it. Just the right amount.

Vegetable Korma. Mixed veggies in a creamy cashew curry.  I thought it needed a bit more vegetables in it.

Overall the portion of the sauces were too heavy compared to the ingredients. But I do know they count the pieces of protein that are put in the dishes.  Cost saving for the restaurant. We had two dishes with a creamy tomato based sauce. Would have liked to have a Saag or Vindaloo for one of them. Esthetically it would have made a better presentation.

We also had, Garlic Naan and Basmati rice. The Naan was good . Rice is rice.

Dessert was Rice Pudding with Cardamom and nuts. It was not a pudding but a soup. Flavor was bland. Needed more cardamom and I never tasted any nuts.

Wines were a real mix tonight. We were at one long table and the wines didn't really transfer from one end to another. Also there was a large wine cooler bucket at the end of the table with wines in them., I personally do not like getting up and wandering around to get a pour of wine. Last night wouldn't have been to bad because I was and the end of the table but when you have people on both sides and you are constantly getting up to look for wine it becomes an issue. Most of those wines could have set on the table and they probably would have been drank by more people. Out of sight out of mind. They would not have warmed up that much and if they did they could then be put back into the bucket for a brief chill.

NV   Tattinger, Domiane Carneros, Napa, Sparkling - always good

2016 Fallbrook Winery, 33* North, South Coast, Syrah - was not impressed

2015 Klipson Winery, Arbor Brook Vineyards, Columbia Valley. "Sydney" Semillon - did not taste

2017 J. Rochioli, RRV, South River, Sonoma County, Chardonnay - did not taste

NV Mailly, Grand Cru, Champagne - good

2018 A to Z, Newburg, Oregon, Riesling - did not taste

2018 Sunstone, Santa Ynez Valley, Grenache Rose - did not taste

2012 Tercero, Larner Vineyard, Ballard Canyon, Grenache - showing really well

2000 Chateau St. Jean, Cinq Cepages, Sonoma, Cabernet Sauvignon - for 20 years old a nice wine. I thought wasted on Indian food. Would have been so much better with beef

2016 Buttercream Frosting, Reserve Chardonnay - did not taste

NV Domaine Michelle, Brut, Champagne - did not taste

2018 Bridlewood, Grenache Rose - did not taste

2008 Williams Selyem, eastside Road Neighbors, RRV, Pinot Noir - one of the best wines tonight

2015 Elizabeth Chambers, Russel-Grooters Vineyard, Pinot Noir - OK - but not really taken with it

NV Segura Viudas, Brut, Cava - did not taste

2018 Dr. Konstantin Frank, Finger Lakes, New York, Gruner Veltliner - very good

2011 Trombetta. Gaps Crown, Sonoma, Pinot Noir - another one of the best of the evening