Mezbaan: New Look, Same Great Food

Indian restaurants have become quite common in Pasadena. But when I first moved here in the 80’s there was only one choice and that was Mezbaan. An Old Pasadena landmark before there was an Old Pasadena it remains one of the best Indian restaurants around.

Co-owner, Rima Madan visited Mezbaan and liked it so much she had to buy it. Under her ownership it has undergone a face lift: gone is the pink everything and in its place is tasteful décor with hints of India here and there. What hasn’t changed is the excellent food and a tandoori oven that uses charcoal instead of gas like most of the other tandoori ovens. This means a more authentic smoke taste to their meats and kebabs.

They also have many fun evenings like Ladies night on Tuesdays from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. where drinks and appetizers are $3.00. If you like Belly dancing Saturday is your day from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. or enjoy an evening of live Indian music on Friday from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. All these special evenings are available in the Maikhana Lounge.

And then there’s the food, my favorite part. To start dinner I enjoyed the Assorted Appetizer plate of Chicken Pakora (think chicken nuggets with a kick), Vegetable Pakora (spiced vegetables battered and fried), Vegetable Samosa (turnover filled with spicy peas and potatoes), and Keema Samosa (savory turnovers filled with lamb and peas). All spicy, delicious and extra-special good served with the mint chutney and tamarind sauce.

Chicken Tikka Masala, a combination of tandoor-cooked chicken served in a creamy yogurt curry sauce, is one of my favorite dishes and it’s a great choice for Indian food novices. It can be made as hot or mild as you like. Chef and co-owner Surinder Singh makes this dish especially good and its heavenly with Basmati rice and plenty of naan to soak up all the curry sauce.

If you like your meat straight up with no sauce then the Mixed Tandoori Grill is for you. It comes with a mixture of chicken, chicken tikka, lamb tikka, fish kabab, and seekh kabab. All the meat is spiced and quick-cooked to retain the juices. Smoky, tender, and wonderfully spiced, I even enjoyed the lamb which is not one of my favorite meats.

If I must eat a vegetable then make it Mebaan’s Saag Paneer. Saag is cooked spinach and Paneer is Indian cheese which is very mild, close to a farmers cheese. The spinach was cooked with spices until creamy then cubes of fresh-housemade paneer was added. I would be happy just eating this, it is the best I’ve ever had-seriously. It will be something I will return for over and over again.

To enhance the enjoyment of our meal we opted for a glass of Indian wine. Yes, Indian wine. A glass of Grover Vineyards La Reserve red wine; a combination of Shiraz and Cabernet grapes produced a full-bodied wine, big flavored with a plum finish.

Mezbaan is located at 80 N. Fair Oaks Avenue in Old Pasadena. They serve a lunch buffet Monday – Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and dinner Monday – Sunday, 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. If you’re looking for Champagne Brunch it can be had on Sunday from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. For reservations or more information cal (626) 405-9060. Copies of their menu and more information about the restaurant can be found on their website at www.mezbaan.net.