Yakitty Yak

I don't often do this, actually I've looked over the 800 plus entries here and found that I've never done this, but today I'd like to do my version of a restaurant review.

I have a colleague who writes reviews on yelp almost daily. He is a true foodie. And he knows what he is talking about. Despite working as a short order cook for many years at dozens of restaurants, from Denny's to chi-chi French bistro's, I simply don't have the gastronomic vocabulary or even the slightest credentials to pass judgment on local eateries.

However, last week we ventured outside our comfort zone and experienced the wonders of Himalayan cuisine.

Located on Venice Blvd. at 35 feet above sea level, is a little known place called Tara's. It's smack dab in the middle of a very multi-ethnic area. It's next door to a Brazilian restaurant which is adjacent to a Vietnamese bodega, which is butted up against a Pakistani Laundromat (I'm pretty sure the detergent is all halal.)

Tara's is uniquely authentic. From the food to the beer to the hand-painted prayer wheels.

One thing I love about Himalayan, or Indian, or most fare from the sub-Asian continent is the beer. It has a higher alcohol content than the swill that passes for beer stateside. And it often comes in very big bottles. In fact I had finished drinking two of these behemoth bottles before the food even arrived at the table. 

Which might account for my lackluster recollection of the meal.

I know we had some Naan. And then there were these dumpling things. An orangish kind of meat stew. Something with chicken. It might have been pork. Oh, and the Yak. That I do remember.

Go to Tara's and order the Yak Chili. It's spicy. It's chewy. And it's chock full of Yakki goodness.

Once you've had Yak you'll always come bak.

This will probably be the last time I attempt a restaurant review.