Angara India Spice Grill
Butter Naan
Samosa, Spinach Saag, Bhindi, Fried Papadam, Sweet and Sour Mango Chutney
Goat Curry, Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala
Peas Pulao, Navratan Korma, Sauteed Cabbage, Channa Masala
Chicken Curry, Basmati Rice, Fried Papadam, Tamarind Chutney, Sweet and Sour Mango Chutney
Gulab Jamun, Sweet and Sour Mango Chutney, Kheer
Family owned and operated since its inception, Dev Bhagat and his brother arriving in Las Vegas like so many others by way of California, it was with prior experience in the Restaurant industry that the duo opened Angara India Spice Grill in hopes of sharing the food of their homeland and doing what they love while additionally filling a market void when comparing the West side of town to East.
First noticed after a disappointing visit to Cinnaholic, but occupying the shopping center at 4165 South Grand Canyon Drive since late 2015, it was based on positive words from trusted palates that the Lunch Buffet at Angara was explored on Saturday, a well-culled selection of traditional Indian dishes all showing well and service on par with other like concepts.
Cleanly designed and smaller than the likes of Everest or Delhi, the main dining area lined with tables and booths arranged beneath colorful murals and textured wallpaper, it was minutes past 11:00am that Suite 105 was found empty save for two others, the space quick to fill afterward and also apparently quite popular for takeout based on five orders over the course of an hour including at least one sent out via Bite Squad.
Playing regionally appropriate music at low volume, the Bollywood-style Videos always a source of amusement for those unfamiliar, it was after requesting Butter Naan over Garlic that the line-up of dishes was explored, a total of three section presenting just fifteen dishes along with an equal number of Vegetables, Chutneys, Dips and Condiments.
Not wasting time in getting started, plates in two sizes plus bowls available to avoid mixing, it was just as warm Bread arrived that a plate containing Spinach Saag plus Warm Okra with Potatoes and Onions was obtained, the former boldly-spiced but mellowed by Cream while the later found its primary constituent cooked snappy, the blend of spices pleasant and all aspects of the dish superior to American-South versions that often come across bland or soggy.
Enjoying Papadam with housemade Chutney as a sort of palate cleanser between plates, the Tamarind a bit overpowering but complex and chunky Mango quite refreshing, it was marveling at the first of three crispy Samosas that Water was refilled without having to ask, a matter of good timing as plate two featured moist Tandoori Chicken and mild Tikka Masala alongside Goat Curry almost entirely devoid of Bones but full of supple Meat plus robust spicing heavy in Coriander, Cloves and Scotch Bonnet Chiles.
Alternating between Meat and Vegetarian options, the fact that Rice dishes make up 20% of Angara’s Buffet no doubt part of its low cost of just $11.99 per diner, it was shrugging off clearly frozen Peas that the Pulao came across pleasantly herbal alongside Vegetable Korma thick with Paneer and Nuts, each bite as creamy and comforting as it was delicious while the cooked Cabbage and Chickpeas heavily perfumed by Ginger were unremarkable but not necessarily bad.
Wrapping up savories with Chicken Curry, the flavor profile virtually identical to Angara India Spice Grill’s Goat version, it was after more Papadam and Samosa that two Desserts were enjoyed, the Kheer a bit thinner than versions served elsewhere while the Gulab Jamun were soft and spongy in their floral and sweet bath.
THREE STARS: Too limited to rank among Las Vegas’ best Indian Buffets Angara India Spice Grill nonetheless presents their spread well and at a fair price, the limitations in quantity largely offset by quality but the lack of more than four Meat choices – three of them Chicken and one virtually identical to the Goat dish – probably not enough to bring many guests back.
RECOMMENDED: Samosa, Spinach Saag, Bhindi, Navratan Korma, Goat Curry, Sweet and Sour Mango Chutney.
AVOID: All three Chicken dishes are better found at several Indian Restaurants on both sides of The Strip.
TIP: Buffet 11a-3p daily.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.angaralv.com
