Tantra Indian Restaurant - Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, the city of the Hollywood stars, with all the glimmer and glitter, has several inviting areas that attract huge crowds every night, Silverlake downtown being one of them. Sunset Boulevard is definitely one of the most picturesque and upscale streets in Los Angeles, housing quite a few famous restaurants and night-clubs, one such gem being the Tantra Indian Restaurant. One visit is enough to prove that the owner Navraj Singh has spared no expense in creating this masterpiece of a restaurant cum nightclub. Tantra is one of L.A.'s current "in" destinations, both for its ambience and the fine cuisine. We were so mesmerized with our visit I wish I could drive to LA every weekend to dine here!

As you enter through the massive copper doors, you will find yourself surrounded by a decor that takes its cues from the spices of Indian cooking. Rich saffron-colored walls invite you to lose yourself in the sensory experience that awaits, as iron-and-silk light fixtures, curtains of oxidized metals, murals of gender-fused beings, and black-and-white Bollywood movies shown on a giant plasma screen lend an unorthodox feel to the place. A beautiful portrait of an Indian mythological figure hangs above the hostess station, welcoming you with a huge smile. To the right is a cocktail lounge, with long banquets covered in gorgeous sari material, and a beautiful bar that serves specialty drinks such as Tears of Ganesha, Tiger’s Milk and Shiva's Revenge as the DJ keeps the hip mood alive. To the left is the dining area, and to reach this you have to cross a narrow pool strewn with orchid blossoms and floating candles!! Yes, an actual indoor pool, which jus makes the atmosphere even more mysterious and romantic!

Moving onto food, I think the chef Sanjay Kumar has created a truly eclectic fusion menu that has its roots in indian cooking yet offers a contemporary dining experience. The entrees range from $11 to $16, and span across a range of typical and atypical flavors; from chicken to catfish, lamb to salmon and shrimp, and bhindi and eggplant to potatoes and paneer, there's something to appease everyone in the group. All the food is very delicately spiced, with one particular flavor dominating the dish; the chef offers some unique pairings like cardamom with homey mustard and dill, or coconut with cumin, ajwain and mint to name a few. The rich and creamy curries have the aroma of freshly-ground spices, and taste great with the choice of breads and naan. They also have a nice drinks menu to compliment your meal. The dessert offers decent choices; we really liked the Chocolate Crepes and the Tandoori Ananas (grilled pineapples)

The waiting staff is knowledgeable and professional, courteous and efficient. The owner himself is always present to preside over the dining experience. Due to its location and popularity, its advisable to make reservations in advance. The place offers valet parking as well as catering services and banquet facilities. Overall, Tantra offers a wonderful value for your money. It's trendy and stylish, yet brings you in touch with indian decor, and if you are lucky, you may even spot a celebrity enjoying themselves on Sunset Blvd!! Tantra Indian restaurant is definitely on my highly-recommended restaurants in Los Angeles list. Try it and see for yourself!

Update: Chef Sanjay is no longer with Tantra, and the management seems to have changed too; the food is not as great as it used to be, but is still decent to label Tantra as a nice restaurant to try in the vicinity!



Address:
3705 W Sunset Blvd (Silver Lake downtown)
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Tantra Indian Restaurant

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C&O Cucina Italian Restaurant- Marina Del Rey, Los Angeles

Italian restaurants have a feel of their own, with loads of family photos adorning the walls, the wift of garlic and herbs trickling through the air while the soft romantic music plays in the backgrund! As I see it, italian restaurants are always very lively, and I love the atmosphere as much as the food. One such jewel for Italian-food lovers resides almost on the Venice beach, right in Marina Del Rey in the vibrant city of Los Angeles. C&O Trattoria, the original restaurant (just across from the Cucina) has always been a great hit with the people, but when it became too popular to cater to the growing throngs of hungry foodies, C&O Cucina came to the rescue. This place is much better and livelier than the older one, and you really have to go there to relish the tantalizing food that gells so well with the soothing ocean breeze in the air!

Nestled on Washington Blvd (cross street Lincoln blvd), this fine restaurant is walking distance from the Marina, and has a sufficiently big parking lot. In the casual dining room, a festive atmosphere is fueled by age-old bottles of wine and the soft and melodious playing of "That's Amore" sing-alongs, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. The upbeat mood is enhanced by generous amounts of wine granted to every table and paid for by an honor system!! There's also an upstairs banquet room, which can accommodate 80 people, ideal for parties celebrating everything from weddings to family reunions or corporate gatherings. The dining arrangement is familiar to the traditional long family-meal settings that italians are known for. But my favorite area is by far The outfoor Patio, where you can enjoy the food along with the cherished summer sun of souther california:)

Even before I get to the Menu, I have to say that my favorites are the complimentary oven-fresh garlic rolls that do wonders to your taste buds!! Their menu is extremely extensive, with almost 20 northern Italian pasta dishes, 20 kinds of appetizers, and a dozen other special entrées, along with the grilled menu, which has turned out to be quite a hit! Even the salads are a class apart, no kidding! To mention just a few names here would be an insult to the rest, so take a moment to check out the Menu attached below. In cocktails, "That's Amore" and the "Sicilian Kiss" are interesting to try, and will stck with you. There's always a Chef's Special Dessert, whcih keeps changing, but my pick is definitely the Classic Tiramisu:)

They also have a special section for Kid's menu, and for the low-carb lovers. And if for some reason you are not in the mood for italina food, they also serve you grilled sandwiches, paninis and burgers. The price is reasonable, and the staff is always smiling and attentive. This place has all the right elements, ambience, food, refreshing sun patio, ideal for family gatherings or for romantic dinners and proposals:) Except for the fact that it's located on a narrow road, I don't see any cons for C&O Cucina. It will always be one of my favorite restaurants in Los Angeles - A walk along the Venice beach followed by a lunch at C&O Cucina, or vice versa, is the perfect way to spend a lovely day!



Address:
3016 Washington Blvd
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
C&O Cucina Website and The Menu

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