Post # 1319: Indika

This restaurant has been on my radar for a very long time. I would not recommend visiting this restaurant if you are in the mood for a cheap and/or typical Indian cuisine. Otherwise, if you are interested in trying classic favorites (lamb chops, chicken, fish, etc) with an Indian flare, this is your place.



I and three other friends went on a Saturday night. We had reservations, but that didn't seem necessary since there wasn't a big crowd. Deciding to take advantage of an unusually perfect October evening, we chose to sit outside.

Indika had an interesting drink menu. Including a variety of wines/beers, the cocktail menu adorned somewhat expected titles such as the "Kama Sutra". The Kamu Sutra included passion fruit, Beefeater, cranberry, and black salt which basically tasted like booze mixed with V8 splash. I stuck with white wine.

Our server was very professional. She had great recommendations and was very attentive. She was also extremely skinny and I was worried that she would be blown away as the slighest gust of wind, leaving us without a server. Luckily it was a calm evening.

When it came time to order, I had my heart set on the "Black lentil 'chilla' stuffed with a slow roasted rabbit masala, saffron raita, tomato mustard curry, and seasonal greens". However, the twig informed me that they were "out of that dish". Like any good foodie, I stuck with one of my dining out survival tips: ALWAYS HAVE A BACK-UP. Accordingly, I went with my second choice "Spiced lamb chops (served medium rare) with lamb leg braised in a south Indian curry with sauteed spinach and mustard potatoes".

The dish was AMAZING. Everything was cooked to perfection with an awesome blend of distinct flavors. Regular house-made naan is served with the meal. I would also recommend ordering the rosemary naan which went very well with the sauce..

I would definitely recommend trying this establishment. However, be warned that it is not cheap. Dinner for two including drinks and tip can easily cross $100 (isn't that more than the average yearly salary in India)? The restaurant has a great atmosphere and would be great for a special occasion with friends (even better with rich friends).

http://www.indikausa.com/

Post #8750, The Chicken Kitchen

I have the joy of working for a hellacious company (whom, to protect their identity and my job, I've decided to remain nameless) downtown near Discovery Green Park. After you take into account the hassles of traffic, parking, and avoiding the bullshit stories from the local beggars, one of the few advantages to working in this side of town would be the Park Shops. One of my favorite fast eating establishments located within this venue would have to be the Chicken Kitchen. 

Many of my fellow professionals who graze in the Four Houston Center over lunch do not have much experience with this place. I will admit that I was initially  skeptical, but I have since come to embrace a certain portion of the menu cleverly labeled The WRAPITOS.  For you puntards, these menu items are the illegitimate child of the wrap and the burrito's one night stand.

Newbies like to initiate themselves with the Chicken Kitchen via their "famous" Chop-Chop. I and most people I have known who have tried the Chop-Chop are not fans. Pictured below is the Oriental Chop-Chop. What word would I use to sum up the Chop-Chop? Bland.

I always get the FAJITA WRAPITO with: Yellow Rice, Black Beans, Cheddar Cheese, Gauc, A TOUCH OF SHREDDED LETTUCE (because if you are not careful it's easy for fast food clerks to assume you are a rabbit and douse your food with lettuce), pico, MUSTARD CURRY, and CHICKEN (duh). The location in the park shops offers a SPINACH tortilla, which happens to be my favorite. However, the kitchen in the tunnels and Rice Village only offers FLOUR tortillas. Bitches. Unfortunately, the photo taken below was while dining at the location in the tunnels.

The MUSTARD curry CANNOT be missed (pictured above). It is awesome. If Indian men could jizz this stuff then I would be pulling out my copy of the Kama Sutra quicker than you could say, "Gandhi". Seriously, the mustard curry is worth it all.

The Chicken Kitchen is a great lunch local because it is quick, some-what healthy, fresh, and affordable. You'll be more than full off of a delicious WRAPITO and a drink for under $10.

BLOGGERS NOTE: Try to avoid the location in the tunnels because it is near a restroom and it frequently smells like you are inside a bathroom stall where someone just finished taking a serious #2. Only serious foodies can look past these outside factors to be able to still enjoy their meal.

WELCOME, FELLOW FOODIES!

Ready for some straight forward talk on the Houston food scene!?!?? Well you have come to the right place! The only sugar coating here will be found on the rims of foo foo martinis.

You may be wondering what basis I have for creating this blog. The truth is that I really have no basis, just experience... lots and lots of eating out experience. If you do not agree with my posts or opinions.. you can suck it. No sweat off my ass. There are plenty of other boring blogs out there that will give practically the same review as everyone else.

In closing, dear virgin reader, I look forward to sharing my insights. No plate will go empty in our journey to discover the best our fair city has to offer in the way of dining outside the home.