Even plain tomato soup stands out at Abhiruchi Grill. That's how good this new South Indian restaurant is.
Although just opened, there's plenty of experience behind it, because Abhiruchi is part of the Annapurna group of restaurants.
The original, Annapurna Cuisine, is a few blocks east on Venice Boulevard in Culver City. The menu there is vegetarian. Abhiruchi is non-veg, like the Annapurna Grill in Pasadena, meaning you can get chicken, fish and lamb as well as vegetarian food.
The difference between the two grills is, Abhiruchi serves big, bowl-shaped appam (above), made from a fermented batter of raw rice, fresh coconut and urad dal, to eat with curries. The grill in Pasadena has dosas instead.
What's really good with appam is eggs in a spicy masala sauce (above), with shreds of ginger adding fresh bite.
Or the restaurant's special goat curry (above). Yes, they look about the same.
For a starter, have a chicken lollypop (above) and eat it lollypop style, chewing the meat off the bone rather than daintily cutting it off.
Bright Apollo fish is another starter.
This plate is loaded with chicken kebabs seasoned four ways. One is green with mint. The others are tandoori chicken, chicken tikka and malai kebab.
Vegetarian choices include gobi (cauliflower) in Manchurian sauce.
Abhiruchi is owned by Suneel Ralangi and Suresh Paladugu. They're both from Hyderabad in South India, so of course they serve Hyderabad's famous biryani (above), either vegetarian or with meat. The one above contains boneless chicken.
Vegetable choices include gobi (cauliflower) in Manchurian sauce.
Flaky parathas (above) are a must with this food, and so is a drink called buttermilk or chaas on the menu. It's diluted yogurt, seasoned with cilantro, curry leaves, cumin seeds, ginger, green chile and asafetida, but sparingly so the flavor is barely spicy.
Until recently, the restaurant offered weekday lunch specials. Now it has switched to a daily lunch buffet.
The chef, Solomon Gregori (above), is from Chennai (formerly Madras). He's new to the Annapurna group.
Abhiruchi means great taste. The restaurant is large and open, a place to eat in comfort, without crowding. And where you can taste home style cooking, adapted to restaurant scale. Curry powders and sauces are made from scratch, and Madras coffee is as rich as it would be if you were drinking it in India.
Abhiruchi Grill, 10823 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034. Tel: (310) 204-2569. Closed Tuesdays.
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