This week - we went down to old town Pasadena for our first yoga class in So. Cal.
All that stretching worked up an appetite - so we parked closer to Colorado. We checked out a few spots - Brazillian and Spanish Tapas…a bit rich for our blood. Then - just off Fair Oaks Ave - we found Akbar.
It’s part of a chain of Indian restaurants in the LA area.
In Pasadena, we had friendly and helpful service plus a side of nice chill and romantic ambience.
The chill atmosphere, the ice water and the Cab were soothing counterparts to the exploding spices of the house chutney. Granted, I’m a bit of a wuss when it comes to spicy foods….but Mark said he found them to be a hot as well. A second opinion always helps…
First impressions…
Some restaurant folks just take lighting for granted. Our lovely server found the candlelight on it’s last wick-legs….so she swapped it out for a nicer and brighter one. Typically, I have to ask - but she figure - a cute couple, such as ourselves, waltz into a place for dinner - might as well make it a cozy experience.
The mood lighting and the welcoming staff inspired me to order some wine with my meal. I almost always order the chicken tikka masala on my first visit - it’s like my litmus test for Indian restaurants. I asked the server what type of wine she recomended for the chicken dish. She pointed out that a red would suit the sauce. So, she gave me a choice between a Zin and a Robert Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon. I thought the Zin would be too light for me…so I went with the Cab.
Yum! The Robert Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa had a lovely buttery aftertaste. It satisfied my craving for something rich and hearty.
Before the entrees…
We split the Aloo Aam Tikka (”Potato patties stuffed with seasoned green peas and spices, served with homemade mango chutney”)and some Papadum (”Tandoori baked lentil wafer”).
These selections disappointed me. I didn’t find any green peas in the potato dish….
“They’re kind like Indian tater tots,” I told Mark.
And there was something wrong with the papadum. We both agreed the wafers were too chewy. At other Indian establishments - from DC to Paris to London - the papadum always had a nice crisp texture. When you bit into one - it flakes nicely into your both - like a chip. The ones in Pasadena tasted like they were microwaved.
The only saving grace was the chutney, served on the side. I dipped a bit of the potato dish and the papadum into the mint chutney and felt an explosion in my mouth. I went through an entire glass of water - plus a third of Mark’s glass.
The good stuff…
The menu calls the chicken tikka masala the “house favorite.” It’s tandoori grilled chicken swimming in a yummy tomato sauce. I love it when the sauce is creamy, rich and with a cheesy overtone. Akbar read my mind, when it came to the sauce. It took a lot of self-control to manage my rice intake with this dish….simply because it makes you want to drown the rice in the sauce.
(The Lamb Vindaloo is the middle the dish and the Chicken Tikka Masala is all the way on the right.)
Mark had the Lamb Vindaloo, which is “prepared in a tangy tomato based sauce with potatoes.” Another yummy choice.
If you’re watching your carbs…like for the South Beach bit…you should make a choice between Naan or rice. We went with rice. I know it’s traditional to have the tandoori baked bread along with the rice, as your sides for Indian entrees….but you really don’t need it. In fact, we couldn’t finish our meals and now we have leftovers.
Overall, I’m happy with Akbar - a satsifying meal and a hospitality made this dining experience one worth repeating.
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