Indian food in Hollywood

I remember a good review a few months ago in the LA Times about this place but cannot remember the name. Or would appreciate any suggestions for good Indian food in Hollywood or West Hollywood. We live in the Studio City area but cannot find satisfactory Indian food around here. Thanks!

[bothsides]

I love cooking indian food at home, so I don't believe in expensive indian cuisine, but I do believe in taste, authenticity, and variety. So I'm a big fan of indian buffets. In the San Fernando Valley there are 2 awesome Indian restaurants. For north Indian cuisine like tandoori chicken, chicken masala, naan, etc go to Village Tandoor restaurant at Reseda/Devonshire in Northridge. They have a great lunch buffet around $9. The decor is open, light-filled and comforting. For south Indian vegetarian cuisine, take a stop by Woodlands Valley Restaurant off Topanga Canyon Blvd in Chatsworth. They have lunch buffets around $9 as well, but the best is DOSA NIGHT ! every Wednesday and Friday starting at 6:30pm. You can have over 12 different kinds of dosa along with a vegetarian buffet. Everyone eating there last night was of Indian decent-mark of an authentic restaurant ! The decor was open, clean and inviting. By 7: 30 the place was packed.

[SauceSupreme]

I like Woodlands also, but Chatsworth is a l-o-n-g way away from Hollywood.

[bothsides]

It's all about consistent, great tasting, food. 40 minutes in LA ain't that far.

[meatlessinla]

India's Grill (near the Beverly Center at the La Cienega/San Vicente intersection in a minimall) used to be great but has been kind of spotty over the last few years. However, it is still better than most places that have been mentioned and the portions are very generous .

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India's Grill
428 S San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[DomingoMac]

India's Grill (428 S. San Vicente, LA): This used to be my favorite Indian take-out (and occasional dine-in). I was disappointed a couple of times a year or two ago and so only went back tonight (10/5/07). They had given the inside a makeover, which was initially encouraging, but the food I got was more insipid than ever. I'm not talking about absence of spices (though it certainly had none of that). The problem was that the food itself had as much flavor as boiled ochre or (sorry Hawaiians, poi). I am looking for something new now in the Beverly Hills/Mid Wilshire area.

[Faulkner99]

That's sad to hear. We ate there about a month ago and I thought it was still great. It's one of those places we'll occassionally order delivery from. I'll be sad if it is slipping downhill. We might have to give it another try soon to check.

[meatlessinla]

Sad indeed...

So, Chef Lisa, you were right about this place! We went last night and were practically the only people there at 8 pm. I guess it's a later-night crowd. The decor is great--very mod, though would have looked better with more people around. The food was good but portions are teeny! We ordered a mixed vegetable dish that had about 2 scoops of veggies. Also had chicken tikka masala--chicken a bit overcooked but tasty--and apricot lamb. Each came with a scoop of rice, which was too salty. And samosas to start. They were very good but also, too small. And an order of naan consisted of one piece of bread. All in all, a good meal but we wouldn't return. With all of the above plus one beer and raita, the tab was $67. A bit pricey considering the portion size.

I agree on the portion sizes and the expense. They also have that annoying habit of serving an appetizer that maybe has 3 to 5 pieces when there are 4 of you. We had the bindi (eggplant) and it was mighty tasty but not enough of it. I guess this is Indian for 'supermodels' -- ha! But I thought the flavor of the food was good and it is a pretty space albeit a little dark (we had trouble reading the menu). We need to find something comparable in the Valley! There are quite a few Indian places in Canoga Park I think.

You say hollywood, west hollywood, here are two in the area i've been going to for years that nobody mentioned. If you value food over trendy atmosphere(tantra) then you should check these out-

Tandoori Nights
8165 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, California 90046-4912 ph: 323.848.8626

best lentil/vege soup in the world (my opinion) they do hotter dishes very well. if you are into the boring stuff like chicken tikka masala you will be quite pleased as well. a wine list they must lose money on-(low priced) and good desserts

Gate Of India
7300 W Sunset Blvd Ste D,
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323 874-6673

On sunset just north of plummer park, looks divey in a strip mall next to some russian gangster restaurant, but it's actually very clean with great service and the best chicken makhani i've ever had plus they usually have several desserts beyond gulab and rice pudding, friendly service but if you don't ask for the check you'll never get it.

Even closer is Surya on W. 3rd, just east of Crescent Heights. Delicious, and the environment and service are wonderful.

Try the Curry Palace on Sunset around Gardner, next door to the Coach & Horses. The only place in L.A. I know that does Balti dishes and have always have had great meals there.

>The only place in L.A. I know that does Balti dishes<

Khalis in MOntrose is well known amongst its clientele for Balti dishes.

Think that space is now occupied by an Armenian restaurant.

Sad - it was one of our favs.

[ahuacatl]

Since this thread was resurrected from 2004, I figured I would add: I've been eating take out/delivery from Curry Palace for over a decade. Really consistent and good prices. I started on the recommendation that "it's the best third rate Indian food in town" which I think is an exaggeration on two counts. Anyway, just thought I would give them a plug. Also, if you're dining in, which I don't, it's more Curry than Palace.

Hey Mandy! How are you? How is the baby? What did you name the little hound? We miss you! Check out the Yahoo Groups page and look up LA Chowhounds, you should join as we post lots of get togethers, etc. on there.

Re Indian, I did really like Tantra on Sunset in Silverlake but it's pricy and portions are small. However, atmosphere is great and food is good.

There is a small spate of Indian restaurants in Canoga Park, I think on Topanga Canyon north of Sherman Way, up the street from India Sweets & Spices. Also, if you are willing to make the trek further up Topanga, try Woodlands which is Southern Indian cuisine, lots of vegetarian options and reasonably priced.

Hope to see you soon!

Lisa

Hello Lisa! Little Hannah is 4-1/2 months old (she arrived a little early) and a beauty! I would love to join your group as long as you won't mind the addition of baby. The place I was thinking of is Tantra, thanks, we'll try it this weekend. Hope to see you soon!

India Sweets & Spices
3126 Los Feliz Blvd.
323.345.0360

See the link below for the LA Weekly's review.

Link: http://www.laweekly.com/ink/04/31/cou...

The only Indian I know of in Hollywood is Paru's, which is very good.

Near Hollywood, in Los Feliz, is Electric Lotus which is spotty.

Link: http://www.parusrestaurant.com/

[rednyellow]

Spotty at best

Good Indian is hard to find. In LA, try Flavor of India in West Hollywood on Santa Monica (near the Palm), great covered outdoor setting, solid food, and decent wine. India's Oven on Beverly is OK, but the wine selection is terrible, the aloo gobi is not good, nor is the raita, and the purple decor is pretty terrible. Akbar's new outpost at the corner of La Cienega and 3rd in a strip mall across from the Beverly Center is not worth the stop. The Marina Del Rey branch is really good upscale gourmet Indian and the wine list is down right fantastic (and reasonable), but this new branch need some major kinks worked out, the location really hurts it, the decor is not there, but most importantly the kitchen needs some major work, worst of all is the raita with cubes of veggies and potato in it. Tastes more like baby food and does not have the cooling, soothing effect it should, nan is ok, etc. Skip it for now.

If you are in for a drive the best Indian we have found in LA is in Santa Monica - Gate of India on Arizona and 2nd (around the corner from the Promenade). Great spices, nan, raita, rice, relaxed setting, best variety of dishes and you can vary the heat of each by request. BYOB is the best idea, can get crowded at off times but really the best we have found.

>Good Indian is hard to find.<

If the standard is Indian food in UK, that is true. But there are a few that we will frequent for "good" Indian food - e.g. Ambala Dhaba in Little India.