Jeffrey Y.
Yelp
Curry Mainstay Comes to Downtown Oceanside: But Does it Live Up to Expectations?
Came on opening day for dinner service on an overcast Monday. Not much fanfare, but boy, were there quite a few fans showing up for dinner. Apparently, this chain started in San Diego and now has a few restaurants in the county. As a newcomer, I played it safe and went with the following:
Chicken Tikka Masala. You can choose spice from 1 to 10. I chose 3, which was barely noticeable on the spice scale. A pleasant surprise from the typical tikka masala I'm used to. Every other version I've had has been particularly creamy and downright oily. Honestly, not a bad thing. Whole Foods does a pretty decent but tame version I and the fam approve of as a baseline. Here, they riff it with noticeably less of that oily texture and flavor, which would otherwise be somewhat overdone and easily filling. Instead, you get something much lighter, not so heavy, and easier on the palate. You get sustained spoonfuls for the long haul, allowing you to endure to the end without feeling stuffed when you finish the bowl. Because of this, the tomato really pops in color and on the tongue; and what you get is a refreshing take that is still strangely satisfying. Recommend: but not on its own!
Naan. No curry is complete without this (or basmati rice). Freshly made pillowy, bubbly goodness makes this the best naan I've ever eaten. Without this pairing with the naan (I recommend the double order since you can never have enough good naan, period, and it's annoying when you run out in the middle of a curry binge), the curry falls flat. But with one of its natural partners, the two dance together quite nicely. I literally ate it all. And regret nothing. Total recommend -- especially with the tikka masala.
Overall, a good experience as a first timer and worthy of another visit. Maybe try the tandoori chicken next time. Place was clean. Not too elaborate on the decor. But the food delivered. And the neighborhood has gained nice addition to the local food scene in Oceanside, which is becoming more and more of a food mecca these days. Who knew?