A Taste of India

The other night I got together with some friends for dinner.  It had been a while since I had Indian food, so I was really looking forward to it.  We met after work at The Bombay Restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway near Hawthorne in Torrance. 

We ordered a variety of dishes.  Here you see the spicy cauliflower dish (Aloo Gobi), the shrimp Masala and another veggie dish whose name I have forgotten, but which consisted of spinach and paneer cheese.  In front is a fresh yoghurt and dill sauce.

We had a choice in ordering.  Every dish could be made mild, medium or spicy.  I love spicy food and was a bit disappointed when we ordered everthing mild for the sake of those who hadn't had Indian food before.  I asked that the cauliflower dish be medium at least.  All the food was spicy and the "medium" dish was plenty hot.  I shudder to think what their version of "spicy" is!  But I'd like to try it some time.

Everything was delicious!

Brother Cloward and his daughter Robin

I hadn't seen Brother Cloward in a very long time, so it was nice to see him.  He's had some health challenges recently, so it was just great to see him out and about! I discovered he had never had Indian food before.  It was fun seeing his reaction to all these new dishes.  I think he liked it! 

Here you see the smoke coming off of the Tandoori chicken (upper right).  Next to it on the left is the Birynani veggie dish, with the nan bread in front.   All the dishes came piping hot and the waiters were very attentive and fun.  We had a very good time with them.

Gina and Brother Cloward

Since it was a week night, there were few diners in the restaurant.  We were seated at a comfortably large table in the center of the establishment.  Next to us was a banquet room which had a big screen TV playing Ballywood movies.  They also had a fun "disco" light system in there.  It made me want to get up and dance.  I think it would be fun to have a party there!

Laura gives the food a big thumbs up

Gina and Laura were leaving after dinner for an Alaskan cruise!  They were both looking forward to their trip, and that added to the festive mood of the evening.

Dinner ended with a delightful rice pudding dessert.  It wasn't overly sweet and had a hint of cardamom.  Yum.

I have enjoyed Indian cuisine since being introduced to it in England many, many years ago.  It was such an unexpected treat to enjoy such a fun evening - good food and good company - in the middle of the week.  Thanks Gina and Laura for inviting me!


The gang