Best Indian food: Akbar Cuisine of India
Akbar chef Avinash Kapoor.
This was our closest race this year – Akbar edged out Addi’s Tandoor by only one vote out of more than two hundred that were cast. Akbar has all the elements of traditional Indian cuisine like tandoori barbecue and fragrant lamb curries, but also offers some modern fusion items that would have been mysterious to the Indian Emperor after whom the restaurant is named. What would that 16th Century Mughal have thought of bison curry, tandoori salmon, or other specialties that included scallop or crab? Since that ruler was renowned as a patron of the arts and a curious fellow, we presume he would have tried them and appreciated the on their merits. He wouldn’t have tried any of the very well-chosen wines that are offered for religious reasons, but he was renowned for tolerance and probably wouldn’t mind that we appreciate the subtle pairings in the restaurant named in his honor.
1101 Aviation Boulevard Hermosa Beach, 310-937-3800
Runner-up: Addi’s Tandoor, 800 Torrance Blvd, Redondo Beach,(310) 540-1616