Bistro Laurent Now Sharing Space w/ AYCE Indian Buffet

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I’m not sure if this is a sign of Bistro Laurent’s impending doom, or a brilliant case of two savvy restauranteurs helping each other to survive, but an all you can eat Indian restaurant called Mama’s Indian Kitchen is now sharing the Bistro Laurent space on Sepulveda in Culver City.  I suppose it makes sense. Owned by brunch specialist(?) Laurent Triqueneaux, the bistro never seemed to be open for the first half of the week anyway, so why not turn the space over to an Indian buffet concept on the days they’re closed.  It’s a fool proof scheme! And the best part is, it’s $9.95 all you can eat lunch and dinner (during the half of the week they’re open.)

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Serving up a rotating menu of Northern Indian dishes, Mama’s Indian Kitchen isn’t exactly a buffet as much as it’s an all you can eat thali.  They bring you a tray filled with whatever meats and vegetables they have that day, plus rice, bread and papadum, and then circle around offering to refill your plate with however much more you want.
 
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The day we were there there was saag, dal, a mushroom and peas dish, curry chicken, and a chicken tikka masala (which is the one thing it sounds like they may have every day.)

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They’re hoping to get a tandoori oven in the next few weeks, but in the meantime the meal comes with a warm homemade chapati.

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And they bring you a little dessert at the end.

Will this displace Annapurna as my go to Indian buffet spot in Culver City?  Probably not. And the food isn’t nearly as flavorful as Zam Zam Market, Bawarchi, or Jasmine Market (the burmese place up the street.)  But it has a certain homey-ness to it that makes it enjoyable, plus safe to bring less adventurous co-workers.  But more than anything, weekday lunch buffets swooping in to save businesses that are only popular on the weekend is a trend I can completely get behind.

Mama’s Indian Kitchen, 3936 Sepulveda Blvd. 310-739-1212

Open Sundays from 5-10pm. Monday thru Wednesday from 10:30am to 9:30pm. Take out, delivery, and lunchtime tiffin service available 7 days a week.

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