Anarkali

While I was having my car serviced the other day Chase and I lunched at Anarkali on Melrose for a quick bite. We went in purely due to convenience, so I really knew nothing about the place, except that they have great lunch specials, starting at $6.95 a person. Chase and I got the Chicken Tikka Masala Lunch Special for two which came with a full plate of chicken tandoori, chicken tikka masala, vegetable curry, rice, and naan. We had the tandoori prepared medium spicy, but it was still pretty spicy and left our fingers stained yellow. It was really good and lemony nonetheless. The chicken tikka masala was probably the best I've ever had. The sauce was really sweet and tasted almost like tomato basil soup. I would have preferred to switch the veggie curry out for aloo mataar, but the restaurant won't let you substitute anything. All of this was more than enough food for two (I think the only think we finished was the masala). We had enough to pack a to go box and walked out with a $22 check, which we thought was pretty delicious. I was a little concerned about the B rating in the window, but once the food came out my worries were relieved. The interior was pretty over the top with several booths lined along each wall, shadowed by Indian fabric that extends across the ceiling. I didn't check the dinner prices, but I'm sure they are just as reasonable. I'd say it's definitely worth a shot, and the lunch specials are available on Saturday too.

http://www.anarkali-la.com/