Lamb Vindaloo and Butter Naan at Spice Up Indian Cuisine.

Lamb Vindaloo and butter naan at Spice Up Indian Cuisine

I have always been a fan of Indian food, but had not had it for a while. Maui did not have any Indian food restaurants that I knew of, so did without for those @15 years.
 
After moving back to Honolulu, I could not find much, as most that were there had closed down. When I was IN college, there were several Indian restaurants around the University of Hawaii, due to The East West Center, and the many students and teachers from that area.
 
I had actually discovered Indian food, specifically Tandoori chicken and naan bread, at all places, during a trip to Alaska. I had walked into a restaurant there and loved it ever since. After that I was always looking for places with house made naan bread. Thanks Ma.
 
So one day, while walking down King Street, a familiar smell hit me. Spices, lots of them, cooking. I could not believe my olfactory sense, I had to have it. I walked in, sat, and was looking forward to this meal. I like spice, so asked for the lamb vindaloo. I noticed they offered several naan, plain-butter-garlic-etc. I aske if they made it in house, since a tandoor oven would be needed, and I also saw tandoori chicken on the menu, and they said yes. To be an ass, I asked to see it, and they led me into the kitchen. The cook showed me how to bake the naan by flattening it then slapping it on the side of the oven, and asked me if I wanted to make my own order of naan.  SOLD. It was such an experience to do that.  I now go there as often as I can, order the lamb vindaloo, and naan bread.
 
While that vindaloo is spicy, it is so spicy, I cannot stop eating eat. I go alone so I do not have to share it.  The naan is so good, crispy bottom from the side of the oven, crispy top from the heat, but soft inside. Perfect for sopping up the vindaloo and the rice.
 
Oh, and you ignorant other local people, do not complain that they do not give you a lot of rice. The rice is complimentary, and is NOT the main starch. That would be the NAAN bread. You put the rice on your plate, then the curry or other gravy item on that. Then you either eat the gravy and rice and eat the bread. But for the people in the know, you scoop the rice and gravy item with the bread and put in your mouth. The naan is your eating utensil.  What, you think they carry forks or spoons around in the desert? The rice is simply to make it easier to soak up the gravy. IT IS NOT the side dish you were thinking of. Dear lord, READ something now and then so you can learn how other cultures eat.
 
I tried another place that sells naan bread, and they had a tandoor oven. I saw it in the open kitchen, across from Whole Foods. But the bread I got when ordered was not fresh, and I did not see them use that oven. It tasted like freezer. I asked why they do not use the tandoor, and the waiter said they do not use it for ANY of the food. Thank you very popular Turkish food restaurant.  Unlike Spice Up, I WILL NOT be going as often as I can.

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