Okay, I'm sorry Ballard, but India Bistro used to be my favorite Indian Restaurant (and it is a delicious and delightful establishment), but I have found a new South Asian eatery to love.
Mayuri is next to Trader Joe's in a strip mall on 156th just north of Crossroads Mall.
They serve both Northern and Southern Indian cuisine, and I am in love with their Baigan Bharta!
Baigan Bharta is a sultry dish of roasted, smoky eggplant stewed with tomatoes and onions and of course the full compliment of traditional Indian spices. It is melt in your mouth good, creamy and delicious! Now I have to admit I am on a huge eggplant kick lately, but I think even non-eggplant-believers would be converted by this dish.
The other dishes they serve are marvelous as well, try the Chicken Curry. Our waitress was wonderful too. Seeing a table full of non-Indians she was helpful in encouraging us to try various things, not kill ourselves with spiciness and was very helpful in accommodating food allergies. When I ordered a veggie dish that was supposedly one of the hottest on the menu, she tried to steer me away from it, but after I insisted I love hot food she took my order. It came out spicy, but not terribly spicy (it was just right) and after getting her to admit she had told the chef to tone it down a bit I had to thank her. It was also great to see her enthusiasm and gratification when we gobbled up all the food that she had recommended.
Mayuri also has a Indian food market and a bakery/video store in another strip mall on 152nd near Microsoft. The traditional, vegetarian South Indian snacks at the bakery (not all sweets) are overly affordable and delicious and they also make great party fare.
So, as I said before, sorry Ballard, I don't think I will be driving 40 minutes to eat Indian food much anymore. But to all those who live closer than I do, do go to India Bistro, it is a lovely restaurant too!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Last of the Larry's
So, I know I haven't written in a while, but life is so distracting. It's hard to keep up with things like blogs when you come home from work tired and uninspired. But it's Sunday so I have no excuses.
I generally want to write about restaurants because I'm particularly into eating out and trying new restaurants, however I also like food that I can cook at home. That's why I want to talk about my favorite grocery store, Larry's in Redmond.
Larry's is right behind Redmond Town Center, just off Redmond Way, between Bartell Drugs and Cost Plus World Market.
As you probably know there used to be Larry's Markets all over the Seattle/Puget Sound area. Then they went out of business and most turned into Metropolitan Markets or Joe's Sporting Goods stores. But not the Redmond location...no, they got bought out by a northwest based grocery distributor co-op, and now Larry's looks and feels the same as it always did, but the prices have gone down dramatically!
They have a huge and fascinating produce section with better prices than anywhere else I've been. I love being able to find multi-colored cauliflower, asian pears and cheap avocados all in one place.
They also have a large selection of organic foods, artisan foods and imported specialty foods. Check out their great deals on Santa Cruz juices, or their excellent prices on naturally raised meat.
Their wine department is huge, and they usually have a wine expert standing in the section waiting to help you find what you need.
And finally, something I always look for at any business, the employees of the store seem genuinely happy, not fakey happy like at some stores. So if you are in the area, or you live relatively nearby go do your grocery shopping at the last of the Larry's.
I generally want to write about restaurants because I'm particularly into eating out and trying new restaurants, however I also like food that I can cook at home. That's why I want to talk about my favorite grocery store, Larry's in Redmond.
Larry's is right behind Redmond Town Center, just off Redmond Way, between Bartell Drugs and Cost Plus World Market.
As you probably know there used to be Larry's Markets all over the Seattle/Puget Sound area. Then they went out of business and most turned into Metropolitan Markets or Joe's Sporting Goods stores. But not the Redmond location...no, they got bought out by a northwest based grocery distributor co-op, and now Larry's looks and feels the same as it always did, but the prices have gone down dramatically!
They have a huge and fascinating produce section with better prices than anywhere else I've been. I love being able to find multi-colored cauliflower, asian pears and cheap avocados all in one place.
They also have a large selection of organic foods, artisan foods and imported specialty foods. Check out their great deals on Santa Cruz juices, or their excellent prices on naturally raised meat.
Their wine department is huge, and they usually have a wine expert standing in the section waiting to help you find what you need.
And finally, something I always look for at any business, the employees of the store seem genuinely happy, not fakey happy like at some stores. So if you are in the area, or you live relatively nearby go do your grocery shopping at the last of the Larry's.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)