56050 Mon Sep 22 21:10:22 -0700 2003 12 2 Los Angeles Area 0 291165 A few years ago an acquaintance told me about an Indian restaurant somewhere in L.A. I'm wondering if this place is for real. Anyone know? The food was prepared in levels of spiciness from 1 to 20. A diner had to essentially earn the right to order the next highest level by successfully finishing three dishes at one level. For example, you'd have to eat three dishes at level 7 before you could order level 8. The restaurant kept a list of names and successes of those intent on climbing the ladder. Those that reached 20 were placed in a hall of fame. The food was supposedly so hot that on your first visit, you could start only as high as level 4. No amount of pleading would let you start higher. And supposedly many diners who thought they could handle intense heat couldn't even handle level 4. I'm pretty sure, but not positive anymore, that this place was in The Valley. I don't think the person was completely making this up, though no doubt there is some exaggeration. But does this sound like a restaurant that anyone has been to in L.A.? -Nick Mon Sep 22 21:10:22 -0700 2003 0 nja 1 291201 Sounds like either Badjook's Uurbaan Lahore, Wattawhoppa or Thali Tales. Tue Sep 23 05:10:49 -0700 2003 291165 0 Chris G.. 2 291205 I believe that it was Canard de Bombay that used to be on La Cienega. Tue Sep 23 10:15:20 -0700 2003 291201 0 Candace 3 291208 After searching for those places on Chowhound and Google, it sounds like it was Canard de Bombay... http://www.chowhound.com/california/boards/losangeles11/messages/55976.html http://www.chowhound.com/california/boards/losangeles7/messages/29586.html There is evidence of outlets on La Cienega, Ventura, Lankershim, and San Vicente. Are any of those restaurants still around? Tue Sep 23 11:24:26 -0700 2003 291205 0 nja 4 291212 Here is a pretty complete web link to Indian food in and around LA, (except I do note that the newest Ambala Dhaba on Westwood Blvd. is not listed). Link: http://www.kutchi.com/Restaurants/Lrestaurants.html Tue Sep 23 12:02:10 -0700 2003 291208 0 WLA 1 291298 It was Canard de Bombay. Kind of an interesting place that moved from La Cienega to Ventura near Tujunga in Studio City, then went to a spot near Universal Studios, now I think it's gone. They used to put a plaque on the wall if you ate a 6* curry 10 times, and most of the plaques had the names of famous British musicians. The curries were rated at 1 - 6 stars, with 1 being mild and 6 was supposed to be blistering. I'd eaten 6's with no problem, it wasn't that hot to me. The owner/chef used filtered water, cooked without oil on request, and had unusual dishes such as curries made with turkey. Towards the end of their Studio City stay, something odd happened. As they never got a liquor license, you could bring in your own beer and wine but after a while they claimed that alcohol was illegal in their restaurant, and you couldn't brown bag it any longer. My friend thinks that the chef's wife (a very nice woman who also was the hostess), objected to alcohol based on religious reasons. They moved soon after, and I don't think they lasted long at Universal. Tue Sep 23 21:47:31 -0700 2003 291165 0 Stuart 2 291321 My then girlfriend (now wife) and I went to the Studio City location many years ago. We (well, my wife) loved the many wonderfull vegitarian dishes they offered. However, my being a wine enthusiast (with my own large collection), I always bring a bottle when dining out. I was offended by their 'No Wine' policy. The last time we went I remember arguing with the hostess (now I know the owner's wife) about the ABC regulations and that she was incorrect in her interpretation. I was so PO'd at her stubborness we never went back. Can't say I'm surprised that they closed. Wed Sep 24 10:50:08 -0700 2003 291298 0 LesThePress 3 291387 I'm glad others remember Canard de Bombay: I remembered the place and the heat ladder well, but the name had somehow transmogrified in my mind into "Bombay Duck Club." Which is not a bad name for some kind of restaurant, although I'm not sure if you can actually get real "Bombay Duck" (dried lizardfish) in the US. Anyway, the owners of Canard de Bombay later ended up on Pico Blvd. in West LA (across the street from the mysterious Pico Teriyaki House), running an herb & vitamin store and maybe still catering. I haven't verified recently whether this store is still in business, but they still have a website up at www.canard-de-bombay.com. Link: http://www.canard-de-bombay.com Wed Sep 24 17:50:46 -0700 2003 291321 0 PayOrPlay 3 291393 The woman was probably Muslim (not all Indians/Pakistanis are Hindu) and was following a higher law than that established by the ABC. Drinking is forbidden by Islamic law, which is why many restaurants owned by Muslims prohibit drinking. This is probably what you encountered here. From what I've been able to gather from other posts, this woman was a devout Muslim, so to her your behavior was just as offensive as if you and your girlfriend/wife had sex on the table. Wed Sep 24 18:11:02 -0700 2003 291321 0 Chris G. 4 291395 We were not discussing religion. That never entered the conversation. Maybe if she was more forthright with her reasoning I would have understood. This certainly would have been preferable to her making up some story about it being illegal. She was operating a business to serve her clientele. Obviously we were not the only ones offended since all of their numerous attempts at running a business failed. As far as having sex on a table with my SO, I would expect that would offend everyone, not just a Muslim. Wed Sep 24 18:32:19 -0700 2003 291393 0 LesThePress 5 291412 I don't entirely blame your reaction as it's impossible for all of us to be fully aware of the vast variety of cultural differences, especially when they're not entirely evident. I have no idea why the woman didn't mention her religious beliefs. Perhaps she felt that you wouldn't have understood the laws of her religion but you could understand things in terms of city/state laws. Perhaps it was due to certain prejudices she had experienced previously. Perhaps she didn't feel like defending her religion. Or maybe it wasn't due to religion at all and she was simply the reincarnated Carrie Nation (at least she didn't crack the wine bottle open over your head). However, would you act the same way if you were visiting a friend's house and they asked you not to drink alcohol (or smoke or anything else that they find offensive or objectionable and asked you not to do)? A restaurant may be in business to serve customers, but customers are also guests of that establishment, and sometimes that requires that we follow the rules and etiquette of the house. The rules could be based on religion or culture or they could just be wacky house rules, like Nozawa's "No California rolls" or certain high-end restaurants' refusals to seat customers at so-called "power tables." I agree that some rules seem absurd, but I also think we should all learn to tolerate and respect certain religious and cultural rules when we encounter them. The woman may have been operating a business to serve clientele, but she is also serving her God, and that is her priority. The situation is no different than a kosher deli not allowing you to consume any food, particularly those containing dairy products, brought in from outside. It doesn't matter whether you're Jewish or not or whether state or city laws allow you to bring in outside food - the rules of their religion take precedence. Many of us are not aware that to certain Muslims it is equally a sin to encourage or enable the consumption of alcoholic beverages by others as it is to consume it themselves. I've included a link that describes many Halal Muslim eating practices for anyone reading this who wants a better understanding of them. Link: http://www.islamic-paths.org/Home/English/FAQ/Purity/Halal_Haram.htm Wed Sep 24 20:32:19 -0700 2003 291395 0 Chris G. 6 291421 Chris, Your points, all well presented, are clear and understood. I guess the bottom line is I bring my wine to restaurants that allow (even though they may, and most often do, charge for the priviledge) me to bring my vintage wines. I therefore choose to not patronize establishments who don't allow it. As far as the woman in the above case, she may be happier now not having to hassle with enophiles like me over such deep religious convictions. Wed Sep 24 21:41:10 -0700 2003 291412 0 LesThePress 4 291443 A different law than that establsihed by the ABC perhaps, but hardly "higher". Thu Sep 25 01:35:05 -0700 2003 291393 0 CKarious