No-one else does it on the island, and it’s a delicious treat to those who enjoy the rich spices and flavors of everything Indian. Well, to the delight of your taste buds, Crave has taken on the initiative for an Indian Night special every week. Chefs Bishan and Gill offer up such delicious treats as Chicken Tikka, Vegetable Samosas, Butter Chicken, Lamb Rogan Josh, Lobster Masala, and so much more.
On Thursday, October 6th, The San Pedro Sun was invited to enjoy a delightful tasting course prepared by the gentlemen. Once again the crowd was fun, and there was much conversation and laughs to enjoy while the last touches of the meal were put together. Those that know Indian cuisine can appreciate the varying degrees of heat in the dishes, but to the delight of everyone in attendance, all the dishes were “just right”.
With a family style seating arrangement, the first few platters came out, ready to share amongst friends, both old and new. The Chicken Tikka – skewered boneless chicken marinated in spices and yogurt, baked in a tandoor – was followed by the Vegetable Samosas. The Samosas are mixed vegetables in a puff pastry pocket, served with a mint sauce and chutney. Both nibbles were delicious, with the right mix of spice and flavors. We were eager to taste more of the offerings after those appetizers!
The words “butter chicken” probably bring to mind a sinful concoction of buttery, tender chicken, perhaps bathed in a vat of butter? What we got was a dish of superbly tender chicken in a rich buttery sauce made with a complex mix of spices – cloves, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, coriander and fresh cream. Yum! What decadence indeed. The Lamb Rogan Josh was tender bits of lamb in an aromatic sauce, velvety and smooth. Lobster Masala followed, in an equally complex spiced sauce, delicious to the last bite. There was a subtle heat for sure, but it only added to the dishes.
Even the vegetarian dishes offered a new dimension to spice and flavor. The Channa Marsala, a blend of tomatoes, potatoes, chickpeas and ginger, and the Aloo Gobi, made with potatoes and cauliflower, were all flavored delightfully. The chefs certainly created a veritable feast for the diners. At the end of the meal, there was resounding applause for the two hardworking gentlemen.
Due to the success of the first dinner, there will now be a weekly night of Indian Cuisine. Of course, the dinners are by reservation only, so make sure to call 632-4102 or email [email protected]. You can also keep up with the various specials at Crave by following them on Facebook.