Agra Indian kitchen report

[blackbookali]

Agra Indian kitchen really isn't that different from most Indian restaurants on the surface. The menus all feature Northern Indian dishes (aka the popular ones), the decor is passable at best, and they have take out menus laid out as soon as you walk in.

What makes Agra stand out is, like all the good places, the food. And they really deliver on the heat. Lamb Vindaloo was seriously spicy but at the same time very tender and kept me coming back for more despite the sauna sweat it put me through. Pakoras were fried perfectly, crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, cooked to order. Basmati rice was good - something that some Indian restaurants take for granted, thinking that once its sauced up in madras, it won't matter that it sat in a rice cooker all day. And they had kingfisher beer for $3.50 a bottle. Sold.

The tikka masala was good, but not didn;t have that smoky creamy factor as the Tikka Masala at Makah Halal.The tandoori chicken was very good, and very juicy. Prices were fair, about $12 a plate but portions were not massive. While I love Makkah Halal, they don't serve booze, and it's almost a bit too dumpy to eat there. Agra Indian Kitchen is my new go to spot for sit down Indian. If only Venice was a little closer.

[westsidegal]

i went there with a party of seven.
basically, we were all underwhelmed.
none of the dishes were bad, but none were great either.

i would love it if there were a restaurant that served Samosa House's food on tableclothes with real plates and spoons. i had hoped that agra would sort of fill that need, but their food was much too bland and overcooked to please us.

[a_and_w]

Ordered delivery and felt the same way. In fairness, I didn't order the volcano chicken, which was recommended. But the chicken tikka masala and saag paneer were nothing special. Portions were also rather small for the price -- I'd rather do Nawab on Wilshire.

[crema]

The restaurant has seriously been going downhill at the Silverlake Agra. From the service to the flavor it is as if no one really cares about what happens there. It used to be so good. Now the food is uninspired and the people who work there look depressed. The last time I ate there, which was a couple of weeks ago, I got depressed too. The food was lukewarm, tiny portions, boring. I won't be going back.

[Tari]

I really like Agra also. I have never eaten there but I have had it delivered and the food was really good.

[Chowpatty]

There's an Agra in Silver Lake too, are you talking about the one in Venice?

[PlonkMan]

I think he's talking about the one in Venice. Lincoln between Grant and Harrison. Just north of Washington, west side of the street. Right next to the pawn shop. (Lincoln reminds me of Martin Amis's description of Broadway in Money: it always manages to be just a little bit seedier than the neighborhoods it passes through.)

And I concur about the Lamb Vindaloo. Slightly painful but not so much that your tongue can't make out the spices. Much better than so many of the overly creamy versions I've had. Though it might not be fiery enough for Keith "napalm sauce" Talent, to throw in another Amis reference.

[jdwdeville]

if you want fiery you could try their "Vulcano sauce". Dear god, that stuff is scary hot!
I like Agra. It's not a revelation on a plate but it is solid Indian in my neighborhood.

[blackbookali]

I am talking about the one in Venice. The Agra in Slverlake was average at best,