Exploring Little India tonight in Artesia. Suggestions?

[wasabica]

I have been driving through it for years, never actually stopped. This time I want to make a point of it. I am curious about Southern Indian, but main issue is I DO NOT want a Vegetarian only place. Suggestions?

[wasabica]

FINALLY I am posting what happened...

Well, Chowhounds warned us to stick with Southern Indian Vegetarian places. But we wanted chicken. Our mistake.

The menu

Karahi Chicken
Boneless Chicken cooking in the juice of garlic, ginger, and tomatoes. A recipe from the mountain

Chicken Palak
Tender pieces of chicken cooked with special spices, served with creamy spinach curry

Keema Aloo
Ground Lamb and sauteed potatos cooked in mild or hot spices, with ginger, garlic, tomato and cilantro

Vegetable Madras
Sauteed Vegetables and Paneer cooked with ginger and coconut sauce

Disco Naan
Naan with onion, garlic, cilantro, other spices

Raita
Yogurt salad with cucumbers, tomato, and potato

The Good:

* Entrees came with rice. While this was common back East, I rarely see this in LA.
* The chicken was exceptionally tender and moist
* Corkage was only $7 (Good thing, as their list was basically Albertson's specials)

And the not so Good:

* I don't think I ever had Raita made with potatoes. Kinda bland. Very small portion, also
* lamb was gamey and I think added to the sauce after it was cooked, as you could not taste the meat juices in the dish. THis was our least favorite.
* vegetable korma was all sauce, very heavy,

Dessert: The Saffron Spot - Amazing Saffron Ice Cream, Very Much Recommended

All in all, we learned that if we want non-vegetarian then we need to stick to the plethora of delightful places in other parts of LA.

So hounds, you were right and next time I will heed your warning.

The India Restaurant
17824 Pioneer Blvd
Artesia, CA 90702
[phone]
www.theindiarestaurant.net

Saffron Spot
18744 Pioneer Boulevard
Artesia, CA 90701
Phone : [phone]
www.saffronspot.com

[boogiebaby]

There are different types of raita. Aloo ka raita, or potato raita is fairly common, but more so for home meals. I've only seen it at restaurants a couple of times. Kheera ka raita is cucumber raita, and boondhi ka raita is raita with tiny little chickpea flour "dumplings".

[junglekitte]

Thanks for reporting back! And I'm so glad you loved the ice cream like I do! I wish I lived closer! :)

[wasabica]

Ok, headed out to India Restaurant and will try to get to Saffron spot before they close. Will report back tomorrow. Thanks!!

[junglekitte]

Don't forget Saffron Spot http://www.saffronspot.com/ for your dessert.
They have one of the best "ice creams" I ever tasted! I can't remember the name exactly but I think it was their house special. Just ask.
To die for! :D

[OCAnn]

These two threads should prove helpful with lots of recommendations.

chowhound.chow.com/topics/539205: Indian food in Little India - Cerritos/Artesia?

chowhound.chow.com/topics/445605: Current BEST in Artesia Little India?

EDIT: I'd recommend the INDIA RESTAURANT, which is non-vegetarian.

[aventinus]

I guess that would be my rec as well, though I don't think it's as good as the best North Indian restaurants in other metropolitan areas around the country. What makes Artesia special is the abundance of lesser-known regional Indian cuisines and the sweet shops.

[OCAnn]

Well, the OP asked for a place in Artesia, and not "other metropolitan areas around the country". This IS, after all, the Los Angeles board.

[aventinus]

as far as i know, all the south indian and gujarati places are vegetarian only. there are a handful of restaurants that have more typical north-indian menus with a full range of meat selections: the india restaurant, shan, and ashoka the great are among these.