curry

My lazy scale was at its highest point today. I just didn’t want to do anything and stubbornly refused to leave the warm and cozy bed. I read a few pages of 1Q84 and fell asleep, and repeated that in bed until about noon. I finally peeled myself off from the comforter and ate the osekihan that my mother packed for me last night with some gyoza and squid kimchi. I was so lazy that I didn’t even bother to take pictures.

Kevin came over at night and we went to Fat Spoon in Little Tokyo for dinner. It’s a new restaurant that opened right next to Daikokuya that serves Japanese style pasta, curry, and salad. Kevin discovered this place when it first opened in August 2011 and have been wanting to take me for a few months. He rarely raves about a restaurant but this one is an exception. He seems to like this place a whole lot and I don’t blame him. This place was amazing – the best Wafu curry I’ve ever had outside of Japan. There, I said it. It’s that delicious. I suggest that you check this place out real soon before it becomes so popular, with people lined up out the door like its ramen neighbor!

I had an unsweetened green tea and Fat Spoon salad to start. The salad was so delicious with soy ginger dressing and crispy radish slices.

Here’s the Katsu Curry that I had. If you’re used to Curry House or elsewhere, you’ll be surprised at the depth of the flavors from the curry here. You can tell that the roux is made with flour and butter the old fashioned way and there are gazillion spices to create the flavors that pop. I’m not a curry addict and only crave it once in a while, but I have a feeling that I’ll be dreaming about this one for some time. In fact, I’m going crazy right now just thinking about it.

Kevin ordered the Pasta Bolognese. It’s a total “Itameshi” (“ita” is shortened for Italian and “meshi” means “food” in Japanese), the Japanese interpretation of Italian dishes. No offense to authentic Italian restaurants, but Japanese-style Italian is my absolute favorite.

And there’s nothing better than end the day with some frozen yorgurt with fresh fruits. There are both Yogurtland and Pinkberry a walking distance from Fat Spoon. We brought it back home and ate it while watching some silly Japanese TV shows.

I’m so happy that there is no work tomorrow! Yipee!

Fat Spoon
329 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
★★★★★

a-curry

I think I owe an apology, ① for completely misunderstanding the Indian cuisine and talking smack about it and, ② for depriving myself of this delicacy for all these years.

I had shy-ed away from Indian cuisines for as long as I can remember because I was never a real fan of curry. Sure, I like the slow-cooked flavor of the Japanese wafu curries and the coconut-y Thai kinds, but I thought the Indian curries were just a little too overpowering for my palette. Although my feelings toward the potent spices remain the same, the recent trip to Bollywood Café in Studio City made me realize that Indian cuisine is much more than just curry. Much, much more.

Because I had no idea about Indian food, I let my friends order for the group. There were six of us so we ordered an appetizer, several kinds of Naan (OMG, the cheese Naan was too good for words), and six dishes, and ate family style.
First, what blew my mind was the Sweet Lassi, a refreshing drink made out of yogurt (but tasted more like kefir) with a hint of sweetness. Let me tell you, yogurt is one of my favorite things in the world and it was the best drink I’ve ever had. My friends ordered the mango-flavored Lassi and although it was also delicious, I think I like the original one better.

We ordered an Assorted Appetizer (above), which included Chicken and Lamb Tikka, Seekh Kabab, Samosa and Onion Pakora. I didn’t know what the heck they were but they were all absolutely divine.

a-chicken-tandoori

For main course, we ordered Lamb Coconut Curry, Shrimp Coconut Curry, Chicken Tikka Masala (all pictured on top) and Chicken Tandoori (above). Chicken Tikka Masala was, hands down, the best dish on the table. The creamy tomato sauce was rich, flavorful and comforting, and although I was getting full with all the food, I could not stop dipping the cheese Naan in the heavenly sauce.

I had never imagined a cuisine that I disliked for so many years can climb up to be one of my favorites so quickly but Bollywood Café certainly proved it is possible. If you’re ever in the Studio City area, I recommend you visit this place – even if you think you don’t like Indian cuisine. This place will definitely blow you away and change your mind.

Bollywood Café: 11101 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604
★★★★★