Almost Famous - excellent Indian food in Culver City

A newish restaurant has opened on Washington Blvd just west of La Cienega (in the former Brunello Trattoria space) called “Almost Famous” and it turns out to have excellent Indian food.

With the strange name comes a bit of a split personality with two menus.

The brunch menu has standard fare like pancakes and toast, but buried in there is a noteworthy benne dosa - the best dosa I’ve had in town. The vada pau also looks interesting and I’ll look to try it soon.

The dinner menu (also available at lunch) has a well-curated range of Indian dishes. The ones I’ve tried have been exemplary.

In my view, this is easily the best Indian restaurant of the moment on the Westside. A creative menu, well-executed dishes, good service, and a nice space make it noteworthy.

https://www.afchaifood.com/

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Nice find. Thanks for the heads up!

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Menu looks interesting. We plan on checking it out this weekend.

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We thought it was good, better than the average Indian around town. Spicing tastes less muddy and more refined. Chicken was cooked to a tender texture. Etc. Peony likes it more than Baar Baar; I like Baar Baar more. We both prefer Khan Saab Desi in Fullerton. Good service. No alcohol list at all.

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Pretty high praise! Anything in particular stand out?

My favorite dish was the chicken korma; Peony’s favorite was the saag paneer. I didn’t think anything was exceptional / must order. My least favorite dish was the cauliflower, which wasn’t fried to a crispy enough texture to improve it, and the frying actually made it worse IMO.

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After multiple visits (this place is good!) here are some favorite dishes.

Small plates:

  • Vada pau (only on the brunch menu)

    Crab bhuna

    Fig papdi chat

    Spinach kabab

Large plates:

  • Beef short ribs nihari

    Ghee roast lamb krahi

    Awadhi lamb biryani

    Benne dose

Breads:

  • Masala naan

    Whole wheat roti

    Spinach and mozzarella kulcha

Dessert:

  • Kulfi

    Carrot halwa

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Two significant changes:

(1) they now a wine and beer license

(2) they have updated their name to “Almost Famous Indian”

Now people can immediately understand what they are offering!

With these changes, business has picked up and the restaurant is full at weekend dinners. Hope they continue to do well.

The food remains outstanding even when they are busy.

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