I used to eat at Paru’s Indian vegetarian restaurant all the time back in the day. It had been at least five or more years since my last visit, which is a cryin’ shame considering what an oasis of hidden awesomeness Paru’s is. The only reason I stopped going there was because it reminded me of a ex-boyfriend I used to take there on dates*, who subsequently broke my heart into a million little pieces and scattered them to the wind like so many flecks of curry powder. I couldn’t even think of the restaurant without being reminded of that bad experience, which is really silly in retrospect since the food at Paru’s is exponentially better than anything I ever got from the stupid boy. Thankfully I’m long over all that foolishness, so it was with much excitement that I made my long overdue return visit to Paru’s, stigma free.
Paru’s specializes in Southern Indian cooking, which is a bit different from the stuff you might be used to getting at the usual Tandoori places. Their menu is 100% vegetarian, and mostly vegan. Even items on the menu that aren’t vegan they can usually make vegan for you. On my visit I had two separate waiter/server guys attending to my every need and they were both fully aware of what vegan meant and were very helpful with pointing out the purely vegan items on the menu.
I decided on the Punjab Glory Entree which comes with: “Poori (delicate puffed bread), vegetable curry (2 choices), Peas Pulao (Basmati rice cooked with peas and spices), Papad (crisp lentil crackers) and Raitha. Knowing that I was vegan, the waiter graciously offered me my choice of another curry dish instead of the Raitha (which is made of yogurt). Wow, 3 different curries… hells yeah! For my choices I went with the chickpeas curry, cauliflower & potato, and spinach with lentils.
Here it is in all it’s glory. Starting with the huge serving of tasty rice in the front and moving to the left we’ve got the chickpea curry, perhaps the most perfectly spiced chana masala I have ever tried. This chickpea curry alone was enough to make me remember why I used to love coming here so much. Pass the chickpeas on the left hand side (I say!) and you’ll arrive at the tart & sweet tamarind chutney, which was quickly devoured with the poori. Poori is a low-carb dieters worst nightmare… a deep fried dough concoction that puffs up in the oil and turns into a huge, greasy bread balloon (mine had already deflated by the time this photo was taken). Simultaneously flaky and chewy, it’s the perfect medium for sopping up any type of dip or sauce, scooping up some chickpeas or simply savored plain for it’s own merits. I could have easily eaten 13 of them, so it was very thoughtful of my tag team of waiters to only give me two and then cut me off, just like a drunk at last call. The papadam “cracker” bread was also good (you can see that on top of the poori) and I ate that with the fantastic coconut chutney spooned on top. You can just barely make out the coconut chutney there on the right side, looking kind of plain and uneventful, but don’t be fooled… it’s packed with flavor and one of the tastiest things on this plate (and everything on this plate was delicious, so that’s saying a lot). Next, those amazing yellow veggies there are the cauliflower & potato curry, brimming with exotic flavors from seeds & spices transporting me right back to India. In the center, the little metal container holds the spinach & lentils curry, with a deep and delicious taste that far surpasses it’s humble appearance. Everything here, and I do mean every last bite of it, was fantastic.
Paru’s specialty are their incredible Dosa’s: Lentil crepes filled with potato or different types of curry. Imagine a two foot long Indian flavored crepe-ish burrito. They are unbelievably delicious. I didn’t get one this time around as I really wanted to sample a few different curries, but I highly recommend trying out a dosa or two… or three or four for that matter. Dosa’s are the staple of Southern Indian cooking, so if you haven’t tried one before you’re really missing out on something special.
Along with the vegetarian & vegan cuisine you can expect at Paru’s, part of the experience of eating there is the space itself. Located on Sunset Blvd. between Normandie and Western, Paru’s is easy to miss if you blink. The restaurant, which does not look like a restaurant from the outside, is behind a gated entrance where you need to ring the doorbell to be let in. At first glance you might think it’s kind of sketchy**, but I suggest getting over that right quick because once you step inside you’ll forget you’re in Los Angeles all together and will feel like you’ve been swept away to somewhere far more exotic. As soon as you walk through the gate you’ll find yourself in a lovely, enclosed garden where somehow it’s at least 15 degrees color than it feels right on the other side. There are lush plants and flowers everywhere, little waterfalls, statues, a true secret garden right off one of L.A’s most hectic streets. You can choose to eat on the patio at one of the many tables, or you can dine inside the restaurant itself which is equally charming. Inside you’ll find a cozy, comfortable and lavishly decorated room, with tapestries, banners, bells, incense, sitar music and just about everything else you might need to make a space look and feel like an Indian home away from home. The walls are covered in dozens of photos of different spiritual teachers, gurus, yogi’s and the like. Don’t worry, no one there is interested in preaching to you about anything… they are far more interested in feeding you.
I wasn’t exaggerating when I said at the beginning that Paru’s is an oasis… it really is a wonderful place to escape from the city while still being right in the heart of it. The food is top-notch, the service is excellent, the setting is lovely, and the place lends itself to all manner of occasions, be it a relaxing lunch in the garden patio on your own, celebrating a birthday or anniversary with a group or a romantic dinner inside for two. Just don’t go there with someone who isn’t worthy of your time, love, sex, etc…, and certainly don’t get dumped by the loser there, because you’re going to want to make Paru’s a regular place to visit from here on out. I’m very glad to re-add Paru’s to my list of awesome vegetarian restaurants to visit often… stupid boys be damned!
www.parusrestaurant.com
* Lesson learned:
- 1.) Don’t take (and pay) for stupid boys on dates, let them take (and pay for) you.
- 2.) If you are a grown woman, for godsakes stop dating guys who can accurately be described as stupid boys.
** Regarding the sketch factor: I tried bringing my parents here years ago and once my dad saw where we were and caught a glimpse of the shady looking gated entrance, he refused to park the car and just kept on driving. My dad is like that, but a common complaint about Paru’s (maybe the only complaint?) is the neighborhood and the funky looks of it from the outside, so I guess my dad is not the only fraidy cat. Personally I find all of that to be nonsense. If you’ve ever lived anywhere in Hollywood (or any other urban area for that matter) you already know that this part of town isn’t really any worse than any other part, and it’s actually way better than many. I used to live right up the street from here and never had any problems. I’ve never felt worried about parking my car there, either right out front on Sunset or on the side streets. Sure it’s not Beverly Hills and there’s a big imposing gated door at the front, but so what? It doesn’t take that much effort to ring a bell, which they will respond to immediately. And who the hell wants to eat in Beverly Hills anyways? I prefer my food with a bit of adventure on the side. Seriously, this location isn’t nearly as worrisome as many of the reviews out there (and my dad) might lead you to think. I have traveled into far sketchier environs in search of the perfect meal (and it’s often in the worst places that you’ll find them). Don’t believe the hype- go see for yourself that it ain’t that bad, just don’t leave your Ipod or your laptop sitting on the dashboard of your unlocked car and you’ll be fine. I’m willing to bet that the only adventure you’ll end your visit to Paru’s with is a happy mouthful of curry breath… but then again, the night is still young.
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Indian Food
