Six years ago, this writer reviewed the Samosa House and Bharat Bazaar, located at 11510 Washington Boulevard. That location also has a grocery section that sells mostly Indian goods though, this writer being English, it was exciting to see an extensive selection of British goods. The dessert treats and produce section alone is enough to keep you browsing for a long while.
As it turns out, we had never reviewed the Samosa House East, and it was time to put that right. Like the other spot, the restaurant is cafeteria-style. Unlike our previous experience, this place seems to put more effort into the appearance. The tables are immaculate, the staff friendly, and the exterior well-maintained.
There’s no food market, but we weren’t looking for one on this particular Sunday afternoon. We wanted some tasty, authentic Indian dishes, and that’s what we got.
As is usually the case with cafeteria-style eateries like this, there are multiple combo offers, and we opted for the three item combo. We had it with white rice and chapati bread, both of which were fresh and warm, and offered the ideal base for the more saucy companion dishes.
Perhaps against the odds, the vegetable curry was the best of the three. Potatoes, carrots and other veg, pureed and spiced beautifully. The combination of flavors worked so perfectly, it was enough to make one wonder why vegetables aren’t always prepared like this.
The smoked cauliflower wasn’t as exciting but it was still enjoyable. The smokey flavor (as advertised) ended up being a tad overpowering when employed with cauliflower, a notoriously delicate veg.
The aloo (or potato) curry was great though. The large chunks of potato sat in a mildly spicy sauce that soaked into the starchy surface of the spud quite magnificently. The combo plate also came with a small pot of an Indian soup, which was fine though not particularly thrilling.
What was thrilling was the Bhel Puri: “Puffed rice with tomatoes, onions, lentil noodles, cilantro, chutneys, and spices.” The dish is a strange combination of snack bowl and meal. More importantly though, the taste is sensational. Red onions add some tart to the crunchy noodles and puffed rice, creating some sort of Indian chex mix. The spices are mild in the heat department, but the flavors swim around your mouth. If anything the dish is annoying because you don’t want to stop nibbling.
We stuck with the vegan options on our visit, but there’s plenty more to sample.
Samosa House is located at 10700 Washington Blvd., Culver City 90232. Call 310-559-6350 or visit mymoso.com.