NERIMA: Kerala Bhavan... friendly service with a splash of boring curry and nan

My friends special of the day "800yen Today's Set" had some volume!  Definitely hit this up because compared to my more expensive choice Cost Performance was solid.

My 960yen C-Set with Nan, rice, malai tikka chicken and 2 servings of soupy bland curry! Nan just tasted like low grade bread... you know the budget private brand stuff you buy at the supermarket vs the bakery.  I've never had nan so boring before in both flavor and texture.

Lemony chicken was moist and tender... best part of the meal.

C set comes with a dessert.

This guy provided service with a smile the entire afternoon.  One thing I love about Indian restaurants in Japan is that its one of those rare occasions I can start and end in English.

Closed with a hot milk chai.

Overall would I go back again... hell no!  But I must have just ordered the wrong thing or the locals in Nerima have not tried any amazing Indian spots in town because the foodie ranking was quite high. Anyways if you are in need of a friendly smile and cheery service then by all means go and order the "Today's Set."

Shop: Kerala Bhavan Nerima

Shop Website: http://www.keralabhavan.com/

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132102/13008993/

Address J: 東京都練馬区豊玉北5-31-4 松村ビル 1F

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Toyotama Kita 5-31-4
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YOTSUYA: Tala Kitchen for some 580yen buttery curry! A bit soupy but tasty.

I think Japan is most beautiful at the end of March and beginning of May when the weather starts to warm up and the amazing Sakura flowers begin to bloom...  looking forward to the next 2 weeks!

About 2pm... this sign caught my eye... simply because of the 580yen price point for curry of your choice, salad and nan or yellow rice.   Even with my hand full of groceries I had to check it out.

Was outside peeking in when the shop waiter stepped outside and said come in come in... oh no! I was spotted and ventured inside.

And there it was... my 580yen Butter Chicken Curry, Nan and Salad with sesame seed dressing.

The butter chicken curry was a bit soupy versus other places where its more creamy.  Rather than dipping this curry requires scooping with the nan due to its wateriness... but honestly for 580yen it hit the spot!  Oh as for the chicken... it should have been renamed Butter Curry with Chicken Bits~.

Nan... Hmm... I'm not sure if there are different versions of this via ingredients but it seemed a bit lower grade.    Hmm... can't quite explain it.  Perhaps eating instant pizza vs a pizzeria.

Small cozy interior.  Counter seating along the window for 4, counter seating facing the entrance for 2 and there were 3 tables.

Ash tray... never a good thing for me.  Luckily nobody was smoking during lunch.

My view from the counter seat.

Menu outside the entrance.  Tala Kitchen will definitely hit your spot similar to having a late day coffee or tea... but unless you are willing to pay 750yen for the double curry or 980yen double curry and 2 pieces of Chicken Tika it will only satisfy your craving for curry and will leave you feeling hungry.  Service was excellent  and water refills prompt... But I have never seen butter chicken curry for 580yen before so I may give it a go someday. 

Shop: Tala Kitchen 

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130902/13136657/

Shop blog: http://ameblo.jp/tarakitchen/

Address J: 東京都新宿区四谷2-9-15 サンサーラ四谷 １Ｆ、２Ｆ

Address E: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Yotsuya 2-9-15
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SHIMBASHI/HAMAMATSUCHO: Mandala 2nd. Curry Done Right!

New Office, new town...not one to be prisoner of the restaurants in the building.  Checked out Tabelog Shinbashi and I was ready to start exploring.  Mandala 2 was one of the first highly ranked lunch spots I found in the Shimbashi/Hamamatsucho area.  All Indian chefs, service was quick and extremely friendly...

Went for the Butter Chicken Lunch, there are a few choices and one selection for vegetarians.  Now if you ever want to know what a delicious dish of Indian curry tastes like then this is your spot.  Lines start at around 11:50am so I suggest going at 11:40 or around 1pm when the lunch crowd dies down.  But there will be a steady line thru the afternoon.

You can select between mild, hot and super hot curry seasonings, the Nan had the perfect balance of chewy and crispy, and you close with a small yogurt dish.  I seem to find myself here once a week but its definitely 

worth it.  

Restaurant: Mandala 2nd

Location: Between Shimbashi and Hamamatsucho Station.

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1314/A131401/13009273/

Gnavi Website: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g518600/

Address J: 東京都港区新橋6-7-2 ヤマトヨビル1F

Address E: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Shinbashi 6-7-2

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