Probably my favorite restaurant in all of Las Vegas and certainly my favorite place to spend a dinner date with Roger is the Samosa Factory.
It's hard to narrow down a favorite cuisine, isn't it? So often it depends on the moment, on one's particular mood. But for me it may be fair to say the moment and the mood most consistently point to Indian food.
But don't rule out Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Ethiopian, Greek, Afghani, Italian, Polish, Russian, German, or French because I love to eat!
At any rate, the Samosa Factory. Why do I adore it so?
When I step over its threshold of glittering gemstones, I feel as if I've discovered a secret escape from the rest of the world. There is something different about this place. It is small, intimate, simple, and yes, a bit magical.
The owner, Rick Aco, is most often serving the food. His demeanor--calm and centered in the midst of what might typically be considered a hectic situation--transmits itself into the experience. Plus, you can tell he has a passion for the food and that it makes him happy to see you enjoying it.
Rick is easy to talk to and has a nice way of suggesting dishes to complement your meal if you need help making up your mind which, as you may imagine, comes in handy where I am concerned. That's only if you ask for his help, mind you.
The food is delicious. Everything. The lassis, the kormas, the masalas, the raitas, the paneers, the curries, the saags. Oh, and the samosas, of course. Without realizing it, you say mmmm as you're licking your spoon. You smile. You hum and sway.
That's how happy this food will make you.
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p.s. If you happen to be a local reader and get a chance to dine at the Samosa Factory, it would undoubtedly be good karma to support this small business by liking it on Facebook.