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samosa house: STILL bland food and indifferent service
10December 1st, 2008indian food, LA restaurants, samosa houseFollowing the outpouring of disagreement following my post on Samosa House in Culver City a few weeks ago, we decided to wipe the slate clean and try again. This time, we did everything right. Rather than ordering the “combo plate” (where they put a little of everything in a container), we went completely a-la-carte.
So, we ordered the signature Jack Fruit curry, Saag (Spinach) curry, Channa Dahl (lentils), and Aloo Gobhi (potatoes and cauliflower), along with the requisite roti, and a side of basmati rice.
Maybe the staff at Samosa House recall the days of the Raj when they hear my English accent, or they hate Brits, bald people or dudes over 40. I don’t know, but when I (over-politely) asked where the jackfruit curry was, the lady said “It will be out in a five minutes!” with an expression like a bothered parent who has responded “soon” 50 times when a kid has asked “are we there yet?” from the back seat of the cay. Now, I’m not being paranoid here as she was very, very nice to the person behind me, when asked the same thing: “Oh, I’m sorry, we’re just preparing some more now. It’ll be out in two minutes. Can I get you something while you’re waiting?”.
Anyway, I decided to rise above the brush-off and to kill the waiting time browsed the aisles full of stuff I used to eat when I was only a lowly vegetarian (particularly the British chocolate – sorry, Americans, your Twix ain’t as good as ours, and that’s the way it is).
Finally, the jackfruit arrived, and we headed home with some boxes of warm curry in the trunk. After unpacking the dishes, we served ourselves to heaps of gorgeous-looking food, and settled down to a movie with a nice bottle of vegan wine.
Oh boy. Within 3 seconds I was on my way to the spice closet so I could get some TASTE into my curry. I sprinkled on curry powder and cayenne pepper, cuz I’m telling you that this food is so bland it’s an insult to the great cuisine of India.
The beans tasted like one of those complimentary side dishes you get served at a crappy Mexican restaurant while the cauliflower/potato was so overcooked that everything had turned into much and I honestly could not tell if I was eating a potato or a cauliflower. The spinach was watery (it even had a layer of green water on top of it – UGH) and finally the roti was overcooked on one side, and undercooked on the other.
Sorry, Samosa House, but you guys don’t know how to make remotely tasty Indian food and that’s a pity because you charge high prices and have a front of authenticity.
Tags: curry, samosa house
8 responses to “samosa house: STILL bland food and indifferent service” 
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I just want to add that I am also on a quest for good (SPICY) Indian Food in LA. Back in my home town, we had two 100% Veg Indian restaurants which were the only vegan friendly restaurants in the entire city of St.louis. We’ve done Samosa House & Chandni, but neither of them come close to the greatness back home. So we’re starving for a find, too!
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mr meaner December 1st, 2008 at 15:29
@lex yes, Chandni is also somewhat bland, but I keep going there just for the funny little waiter who is oh, so serious! Paru’s can serve anything spicy if you ask them, and the food is very well prepared, if a little on the small side. Also, one of my favorite places is India’s Grill, at 428 S San Vicente Blvd, right by the Beverly Center. Although not vegan (or even vegetarian) they cook to south indian rules which mean that most curries are vegan. The aloo gobi there is out of this world!
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I think you guys (Lex included because this stuff is definitely spicy) should head over the hill and try Copper Chimney in Woodland Hills. I went for the second time today and their food is outstanding. As a bonus, there is an entire vegan section of the menu and almost anything on their vegetarian menu can be veganized.
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Kabab Curry in Torrance will make food really spicy if you want them to. One night I told them “bring it on!” and I actually had to throw out the food because I couldn’t handle it. I’m pretty sure they are a South Indian kitchen.
Poor beloved Samosa House can’t catch a break on quarrygirl.com….I was there last night and did notice that the usual people weren’t behind the counter, maybe they are traveling?
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I must agree even though I still love the place out of nostalgia. Back when I was 5 years old I used to come here with my dad all the time and the old Indian lady owner would give me a free samosa..oh the memories….they still have the best samosa’s around though
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OK, that’s it! I’m done! Finished!
I gave Samosa House one more try. Did not work at all. Last time I visited, a nice woman was behind the counter. My combo plate was not that good, but decent.
Today’s employee was tired and edgy. She grudgingly gave microscopic amounts of samples. She called the lentil soup “good”. Ugh. It contained no whole lentils at all, and was spiced oddly.
In fact, that is my complaint with SH and the Indian place you mentioned, which is on Venice Blvd. They both consistently use the same one or two HARSH, monopolizing spices on nearly every dish. Total turn off.
Is it too much to ask for a really good Los Angeles vegetarian Indian restaurant?
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miss anthrope December 1st, 2008 at 08:15