Indian Clayoven retains appeal
Published 9:00 pm Thursday, July 1, 2004
EVERETT – Clayoven has a new name and offers some new dishes, but everything that makes this South Everett eatery appealing remains the same.
Recently, Bombay Bar and Grill co-owner Rashpal Singh, with eight years of restaurant experience in Spokane, bought out his partner and changed the restaurant’s name to Clayoven, according to our server, Brenda, who is Singh’s wife.
Singh kept the successful menu but added some out-of-the-norm Indian selections such as chicken or fish cooked in a butter sauce ($10.95 and $12.95).
On our first visit to Bombay Bar and Grill in September 2003, we ordered aloo nann, fish pakoras, lamb curry and bhindi masala. Aloo nann is a grilled flatbread, which is stuffed with mashed potatoes, then accented with spices. Bhindi masala is a vegetable dish that combines crosscut okra, onions and tomatoes with spices. They’re all still on the menu.
This time, we chose an assorted appetizer plate ($6.95), chicken tandoori ($9.95) and shrimp tikka masala ($12.95). We asked that our dishes be prepared “mild,” but for those who can take the heat, Singh can turn it up to medium or hot. We also added an order of basmati rice ($4.95) cooked in chicken stock and accented with saffron threads, plus rice pudding ($2.95). Each dish provided an adventure in tastes that the multiple spices in Indian cuisine provide.
I recommend the appetizer plate for those new to Indian cuisine because it includes vegetable and keema samosas, chicken and vegetable pakoras and a papadum. Samosas are small, stuffed, deep-fried pastries. Pakoras are like fish or chicken strips, only better, because they’re rolled in chickpea flour that’s accented with exotic Oriental spices. Papadums are crisp wafers made from lentils mixed with spices, then baked. As anticipated, every bite was delicious and exotic.
Also, I recommend chicken tandoori for those ordering Indian cuisine for the first time because it’s familiar yet different. Chicken tandoori is traditionally skewered whole chicken grilled in a clay oven. It’s the spices that add the excitement when compared to what most of us create.
Another great way to sample many dishes on the dinner menu is to visit Clayoven’s lunch buffet. It always includes three meat dishes, three vegetable choices, salad and dessert. All the buffet choices change daily, Brenda Singh said.
On my recent Saturday night visit, our schedules demanded takeout and, fortunately, all menu items are available to go. In fact, the dining room remained empty during my wait while takeout orders flowed from the kitchen to the parking lot. Brenda Singh said takeout is popular early in the evening but the dining room begins to fill about 7 p.m. on Saturdays. She also said that the weekday lunch buffet crowd fills the dining room; if you can arrive after the back-to-the-office-at-one crowd, it’s recommended.
The first time I visited this restaurant, I enjoyed the atmosphere, which is created by Indian music, original wall hangings and fresh-cut flowers on each table, as well as the attentive service and excellent food. It’s nice to know that only the name’s changed.
Herald restaurant reviewers accept no invitations to review, but readers’ suggestions are always welcome. Reviewers arrive unannounced, and The Herald pays their tabs.
E-mail Anna Poole at features@heraldnet.com
Clayoven
7318 Evergreen Way, Everett; 425-355-3663
Specialty: Indian cuisine
Hours: lunch 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 3 p.m. Saturday; dinner 5 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday
Price range: moderate
Liquor: beer and wine
Smoking: nonsmoking
Reservations: recommended for large parties
Disabled accessibility: easy access
Credit cards: American Express, Discover, Diners Club, Master Card, Visa
Clayoven
7318 Evergreen Way, Everett; 425-355-3663
Specialty: Indian cuisine
Hours: lunch 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 3 p.m. Saturday; dinner 5 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday
Price range: moderate
Liquor: beer and wine
Smoking: nonsmoking
Reservations: recommended for large parties
Disabled accessibility: easy access
Credit cards: American Express, Discover, Diners Club, Master Card, Visa
