When the Riviera closed and then disappeared two years ago, a bunch of Vegas history went with it. So did the oddly amazing option of 24-hour Indian food on the Strip via the Riv food-court location of India Masala. After a night at XS, samosas and goat curry beats White Castle, hands down.
But the family that operated the eatery (and the Rio’s underrated Royal India Bistro) didn’t blink, quickly opening Curry Pot in the food court at the Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes, where there are many options but not of the 24-hour variety.
Curry Pot has the same uthapam ($11), a hearty rice and lentil pancake stocked with veggies, tender tandoori chicken ($11) and fragrant, cheese-stocked palak paneer ($14) that I ate at the Riv. But this place also serves more convenient, casual fare, like a chicken tikka sandwich ($9) with mint mayo and apple chutney; and pao bhaji ($10), a delicious spiced lamb stew with slider-like buns to soak up every bit. Papdi chaat ($7) is billed as Indian nachos, fried flatbread chips piled high with garbanzos, tomato, onion, chilies, mango, mint, tamarind chutney and the crunchy chickpea noodles known as sev. You’ve never had a post-party snack with these vibrant flavors before.
CURRY POT Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian, 702-299-6868. 24/7.
