Downtown loves great dishes that leave long-lasting memories on the palate. Lucky for all of us, Kapoor’s Akbar arrived to set the bar when it came to quantity and quality, presentation, taste, atmosphere and overall grade A dining experience…
Chef Avinash Kapoor, owner and creator tells the tale of relocating from his previous 20 year-old location in Pasadena to the southern edge of Chinatown, with a selection of signature dishes he describes as “Indian food with a twist”.
With all the many gifts from the seventh-largest country in the world many times overburdened throughout history by invaders, crusaders, religious sects and foreign rituals, Chef Kapoor completes this story with a combination of dishes prepared with dozens of spices as rich as India’s past.
The new location on Cesar E. Chavez is modest yet practical. There’s enough room to sit comfortably inside a row of booths while traditional interiors, complete with warm lighting, open kitchen and original art from India deliver the diner instantly to the Northern regions of Kapoor’s homeland.
Great Food …Great Karma
The food and beverage menu at Kapoor’s Akbar is officially – enlightening.
Those familiar with Indian cuisine are destined to find their old favorites. And we mean old. At 8000 years in the making, India is one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Rest assured the food which has been perfected throughout the ages is meant to heal the body, mind and the soul as well. This probably explains the sense of happiness and wonder that seems to cosmically arrive with every dish.
Vegan/Veggie favorites worth ordering for all eternity include sautéed brussel sprouts, watermelon and “spicy fries”, making Kapoor’s Akbar number one on Downtown Weekly’s list of 10 Great Places for Vegan dishes.
Kapoor’s offers all of India’s best, like potato and pea Samosas and Beef Masala prepared with the desirable blend of heat thanks to spiced additions of curry, garlic, turmeric, and other exotic blends of India. Still, expect the unexpected.
As top chefs continue to make the pilgrimage to Downtown LA, it’s easy to become enamored while enjoying any of Downtown’s designer dishes.
Enter CHEF AVINASH KAPOOR‘s Seventh Wonder of the Culinary World
There’s nothing like hearing the approaching sound of Kapoor’s sizzling Tandoori Salmon coming from the kitchen to the table. There’s also nothing in downtown like the Blue Crab Curry especially when placed atop a perfectly prepared dish of Saffron basmati rice.
While other items labeled “Aloo Aam Tikka”, “Shahi Lamb” and “Papadum” may need a little explaining to anyone less familiar with Indian food’s more commercial namesakes, experienced and reasonably pride-filled servers have little trouble compelling diners to partake in any of the many delicious culinary experiences at Kapoor’s Akbar.
Even the usual naan isn’t so usual at Kapoor’s Akbar, and comes in a list of varieties including garlic naan, naan filled with cheese, Onion Kulcha filled naan, and Kabuli Naan filled with fruits ready to carry the flavors of Kapoor’s sauces, chutneys, vegetable and meat dishes to tantalize your taste buds.
Here’s something your taste buddies just don’t taste every day, making Kapoor’s Akbar a perfect way to impress a date or business acquaintance.
For many Kapoor’s Akbar may present their first experience with wine and beers from India, including Taj Beer, which lends a feeling of intoxicated bliss.
Best of all, at Kapoor’s Akbar, you will fill up with enough food to share or take home. It’s this combination coupled with their level of commitment to service, taste, quality and quantity that has surely kept the Kapoor’s Akbar brand in good food karmic standing for so many decades.
Official Downtown Weekly Rating: out of 5 stars, 5 of course.
Kapoor’s Akbar 701 W. Cesar E. Chavez, LA CA 90012 – 213-372-5590. Free Parking (Enter on N. Bunker Hill Street. For more info www.kapoorsakbar.com
