How ARTH Bar & Kitchen Redefines Indian Fare

(Gerry Furth-Sides) ARTH BAR + KITCHEN offers contemporary Indian cuisine, one of a handful of places in the country to offer it.  Mihir Lad, Founder & Partner has been on hand to welcome guests.  He is happy to explain the story  at this spiffy, new addition to Culver City’s “Restaurant Row.” 

We first watched Partner & Executive Chef Sagar Ghosh in the open kitchen at the back of the beautiful, soaring space.  Passionate Chef Sagar has a deft hand with his native Indian dishes. The chef’s French Culinary School background plus vast experience on cruise ships and high-end establishments add finesse and interest to each and every dish.  For example, his naan is thinner and crispy than most (without crumbling) after he experimented with with the use of less baking powder and soda than usual.

This is only the beginning of Chef Ghosh’s long menu that includes entire pages of STARTERS, FROM THE TANDOOR, MAINS, SIDES, DESSERTS and COCKTAILS. We had to add prices because they are so reasonable for the dishes designed to be shared or an entire individual course.

We start with one of the most popular dishes on the menu, and a favorite of the chef from his own hometown: KOLKATA FISH FRY ($8), served with a generous side of fries. The Asian sea bass marinated with onion and cilantro, is coated with breadcrumbs. Its flash-fried crispy textures contrasts and satisfies with the chef’s refined cream sauce. The secret is in the special fermented mustard from Bangladesh, which friends and family bring over from India for him. It can be the original spicy Indian preference or one thoughtfully adopted to a milder taste with mayo.

Desserts are exceptional, which is rare in Indian restaurants. The chef’s version of Gulabo is featuring one jumbo gulab jamun – stuffed with a rose petal compote! Chef Sagar’s treatment of mango kulfi is surrounding it with a thick saffron and cardamom flavored milk. From a family member’s recipe of cannoli come chocolate, butterscotch and shrikhand fillings.

The place itself is easy to walk to from public parking (one hour free) or 2-hour metered street parking, without getting tangled up in the Culver City traffic maze.  But the elegant, airy, beautifully detailed main dining room and side one  are worth it.  Add to this Great people watching from the side patio and the front under the old tree. So once you are seated in the leisure outdoor veranda, you want to stay forever.   The bar is well stocked and the prices for food and cocktails is reasonable. 

ARTH BAR + KITCHEN, 9531 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232, www.arthla.com.,

Tel: 424 603 4155. Even the email contact is friendly and inviting: hello@arthla.com