Walking the Bird

A sign in the window of Ashoka Indian restaurant in Artesia advertises tandoori chicken to go. The chicken is cooked to order, giving one a chance to relax in the restaurant and sip a glass of water while waiting (not too long, the tandoor cooks at very high heat). Spicy green chutney comes with the meat (eight drumstick and thigh pieces), and the restaurant will cook an order of naan bread too.

A point of interest here is a wine display that includes a bottle of Chhabri, a white wine produced from Indian and French grapes grown in the state of Maharashtra in western India. The label doesn’t specify the varietals but does have a picture of India’s national bird, the peacock. Chhabri is quite tart but worth trying, just to say you’ve tasted an Indian wine. It’s probably best with strongly spiced curries, and Ashoka can supply those too.

Tandoori chicken, $4.99; naan bread, 99 cents at Ashoka restaurant, 18614 S. Pioneer Blvd., Artesia. (562) 809-4229.