Mint Leaf

Mint Leaf Restaurant Review:

Mint Leaf owner Sameer Kumar delivers Indian cuisine to east Pasadena. The colorful space features a pressed-tin ceiling, elaborate wallpaper in bold colors, golden chandeliers, sumptuous dark brown booths and flowing red drapes. Chef Jayanta Paul's sprawling menu includes breads that stray from tradition, none better than supple naan brushed with ghee and stuffed with feta and kalamata olives. Shrimp pakoras showcase tiger shrimp marinated in lemon juice, ginger, green chilies and cilantro, and sport thin chickpea flour coats. The tandoor oven is utilized for button mushrooms that are marinated in pungent nigella seed sauce. Wild Alaskan salmon, marinated in yogurt and spices, arrives rosy inside, with a nice sear. Vegetarian sides are also strong, particularly smoky eggplant and fiery jalapeños blanketed in mustard, onion, peanut and tamarind sauce. Desserts are all made in-house. Almond kulfi is thick and icy. You’re better off with hot, aromatic halwa pudding flavored with crumbled pistachios, golden raisins and cardamom. Silky lassis are available, and Mint Leaf’s full liquor license allows for Indian beers, primarily California wines and straight spirits.