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Culinary Connection
MOKSHA
A Healthy Place to Satisfy your Appetite
By Kathy Highcove
We turned into the parking lot of the new Moksha Restaurant and admired the saffron yellow façade of the remodeled establishment. A bright gold figure of Buddha, glinting in the sun's last rays, adorned the front wall. The familiar Eastern image bid us welcome into the upscale Indian restaurant, bar and lounge.
My companion and I were greeted by Frank Chopra, co-owner of this new Canoga Park establishment. Chopra also co-owns Karma in Valencia and the popular Clay Oven Restaurant in Sherman Oaks. We surmised that Moksha - or Salvation in translation - is operated by experienced restaurant owners. A tour of the premises that evening would show us features that make Moksha an attractive dining facility for local Indian families and large groups of celebrants. But first, we were introduced to Sanjay Kumar. Kumar is a Taj Hotels trained chef who is the evening and banquet chef of this new restaurant in Canoga Park. (Chef Pinku Singh is the lunch and early dinner chef.)
Kumar told us he strives to create courses with an Eastern flavor, but not "overdone in spices and sauces just to satisfy eye appeal. All ingredients are fresh and healthy, and I will not use artificial additives like MSG. I also prepare vegetarian or vegan menus." Kumar's specialty is seafood, but he emphasizes his versatility in the kitchen. "I can prepare any type of meat - lamb, chicken, goat or beef - and I make special regional dishes for East Indian groups who want the dishes they would order back home."
Chef Sanjay Kumar makes any type of samosa -similar to a filled dumpling with a crust - if requested for a large party. He often makes a rich chocolate samosa, carrot cake, honey dumplings with rose water and other traditional Indian desserts for banquets. But let's not jump ahead to desserts - many dishes lay between the first and the last course at Moksha.
We tried two of the standards items listed on the menu. We cut into samosas made from mashed potatoes and peas baked in a crust shaped like a small minaret. Three types of sauces were provided: sweet, tamarind and a pleasantly pungent mango sauce. We tried a chicken tikka which is a three layered item: a bottom layer of curry flavored potato pancake sitting in a pool of cilantro sauce, then a section of yogurt marinated chicken, topped with a large shrimp breaded in a light vermicelli crust. Tikkas at Moksha are made with chicken or fish and baked in a clay oven. Other entrees are lamb kebabs, shrimp tandoori, shrimp karma, chicken mushroom, chili chicken, mixed grill and lamb chops - another Chef Sanjay specialty. For those diners who come for a full course dinner, the menu offers several appetizers, soups and salads. Moksha features many different types of Indian cuisine but emphasizes the clay oven technique of Northern Indian culture.
Owner Chopra next took us on a tour of his newly remodeled establishment. We viewed cozy rooms with sofas and cushions, medium sized dining rooms for the general dining public, a comfortable bar - also featuring sofas in the décor - and a large banquet hall that will hold up to 200 guests. Televisions and sound systems were installed in all rooms.
Over the large rectangular dance floor hung lights, a fog machine, spotlights, and a modern sound system. Bordering the dance floor were several warming tables for the banquet buffet and barbeque. One could imagine the softly lit room full of happy celebrants, circulating among the food stations as they filled their plates again and again, and returned to chat and eat with family and friends. We learned that some private groups request traditional belly dancers, "who can be provided along with the traditional dishes, no problem, "the genial owner assured us with a twinkle in his eye.
We asked Frank Chopra what type of dining experience he offered his customers. Chopra replied, "Moksha offers every type of healthy food or dish, every type of dining service, all available under one roof. This restaurant wants to make all our guests comfortable in every way." For a worry free party with an Eastern flavor, consider Moksha for your next social event.
7140 Desoto Avenue
Canoga Park, CA 91303
Phone: (818)884-4770
FAX: (818)4760
www.mokshainidiancuisine.com
LUNCH:
Mon. - Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sat. and Sun. 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
DINNER:
Sun. - Thurs. 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Fri. and Sat. 5 p.m. - 12 midnight
Mon. - Fri. Lunch Buffet
11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. $8.95
Sat. and Sun. Champagne Brunch
12 p.m. - 3 p.m. $11.95