Clay Oven

I recently dropped in for lunch in the hopes of getting some hot food. When I say hot food I mean spicy. Being from the south I really crave spicy food from time to time and I knew Indian food is known for the spices. I treated myself to the lunch buffet which was very reasonabley priced and was very impressed with all the food. It was really good and they made sure to bring out some special Indian hot sauce from the kitchen just for me. more

I recently dropped in for lunch in the hopes of getting some hot food. When I say hot food I mean spicy. Being from the south I really crave spicy food from time to time and I knew Indian food is known for the spices. I treated myself to the lunch buffet which was very reasonabley priced and was very impressed with all the food. It was really good and they made sure to bring out some special Indian hot sauce from the kitchen just for me. more

Very expensive food. Very small portions served. Still feel hungry after spending $100 for 2. Food is bland. Not very tasty. The owner is extremely slick, watch out. Will never go back again. Don't ever have your catering done from him. If you do, make sure someone watches him when he cooks. He does not make fresh food on premises. He will semi-cook the food night before, freeze it and reheat it on the event location. I know. He ruined my daughter's wedding. Lesson learned. more

Very expensive food. Very small portions served. Still feel hungry after spending $100 for 2. Food is bland. Not very tasty. The owner is extremely slick, watch out. Will never go back again. Don't ever have your catering done from him. If you do, make sure someone watches him when he cooks. He does not make fresh food on premises. He will semi-cook the food night before, freeze it and reheat it on the event location. I know. He ruined my daughter's wedding. Lesson learned. more

If you are aan Indian food lover thats ur spot! I usually get the chef dish, and some of the more spicy stuff... more

If you are aan Indian food lover thats ur spot! I usually get the chef dish, and some of the more spicy stuff... more

This restaurant is, hands down, my favorite Indian restaurant in ALL of Southern California. Of course, I haven't eaten at EVERY Indian restaurant in the region, but I've eaten at quite a few. \r \r As an Indian person myself, I have grown up with Indian food. Indian restaurant food is very hit and miss. Praveen and his staff, however, HIT it right on every single time. \r \r Recommendations: Habanero Lamb Vindaloo, Swordfish Tandoori, Chicken Tikka Masala (always solid), Rosemary Naan, etc.\r \r What is unique about this restaurant is that Praveen takes a very creative angle to each dish, without compromising its quality. \r \r Praveen was trained in both India and France as a chef.\r \r You really can't go wrong regardless of what you order. \r \r My wife and I liked the food so much, we hired them to cater our wedding recently.\r \r I heard nothing but incredible compliments from every single one of our 400+ guests.\r \r Extremely professional, very attentive to details (including presentation), always available, and an overall incredible experience.\r \r FYI: We live in Santa Monica and are ALWAYS willing to make the drive when possible to eat here... just something to think about... Pros: Unique and Creative Dishes, Personable and Friendly Service more

This restaurant is, hands down, my favorite Indian restaurant in ALL of Southern California. Of course, I haven't eaten at EVERY Indian restaurant in the region, but I've eaten at quite a few. As an Indian person myself, I have grown up with Indian food. Indian restaurant food is very hit and miss. Praveen and his staff, however, HIT it right on every single time. Recommendations: Habanero Lamb Vindaloo, Swordfish Tandoori, Chicken Tikka Masala (always solid), Rosemary Naan, etc. What is unique about this restaurant is that Praveen takes a very creative angle to each dish, without compromising its quality. Praveen was trained in both India and France as a chef. You really can't go wrong regardless of what you order. My wife and I liked the food so much, we hired them to cater our wedding recently. I heard nothing but incredible compliments from every single one of our 400+ guests. Extremely professional, very attentive to details (including presentation), always available, and an overall incredible experience. FYI: We live in Santa Monica and are ALWAYS willing to make the drive when possible to eat here... just something to think about... Pros: Unique and Creative Dishes, Personable and Friendly Service more

I happened to be working the event mentioned above (daughter’s wedding) as a server and had a chance to meet the gentleman catering the Indian food that night. The facts are these: this gentleman was very gracious and everyone I served at the event enjoyed the food very much. I know for a fact that he was cooking the bread in a barrel oven which we unloaded from his van and many of us watched a demonstration of how the bread was made. At the end of the night, everyone working at the ranch for the event (like 15 of us) had a chance to try whatever food was leftover, which was amazing, and even take some home. I was really surprised to see the father of the bride seem so angry over nothing when all the other guests there had a really good time. I haven’t been to the restaurant (yet!) but from what I tried there that night this place gets my 5 stars. Pros: Great Service more

I happened to be working the event mentioned above (daughter’s wedding) as a server and had a chance to meet the gentleman catering the Indian food that night. The facts are these: this gentleman was very gracious and everyone I served at the event enjoyed the food very much. I know for a fact that he was cooking the bread in a barrel oven which we unloaded from his van and many of us watched a demonstration of how the bread was made. At the end of the night, everyone working at the ranch for the event (like 15 of us) had a chance to try whatever food was leftover, which was amazing, and even take some home. I was really surprised to see the father of the bride seem so angry over nothing when all the other guests there had a really good time. I haven’t been to the restaurant (yet!) but from what I tried there that night this place gets my 5 stars. Pros: Great Service more

I have been going here since I was a kid. Indian food is still my favorite kind of food, so I have been... more

I have been going here since I was a kid. Indian food is still my favorite kind of food, so I have been... more

I have been going here since I was a kid. Indian food is still my favorite kind of food, so I have been inclined to try any Indian or Pakistani res... more

I am Indian and a good cook. Very rarely do I find an Indian restaurant I like because most places overload their dishes wiht heavy cream or oil. \r My husband, my two small children , went to eat at this restaurant last week. The place was pretty full for midweek. We ordered a mango corm soup, dal makhani, shahi chicken, balti lamb, a variety of naans and paraths and a creme brulee trio.\r The mango corn soup was fruity and smooth with a very light hint of sweetness and a little spice kick. The flavor of the mango wasn?t overpowered by the sweetness of the corn, neither was it lost in the spiciness. They offer unusual flavors of naans and paranthas: olives, rosemary etc...Each ingredient could be tasted, same with the shahi chicken and the balti lamb. The meat dishes weren?t as spicy as expected (we had asked for moderately spiced) but it is difficult to indicate one person?s limit. In various places with the same request: moderately spicy I have been served very spicy food or very bland food per my standards. The dal makhani tasted exactly as it should: slightly nutty flavor, without a hint of cream. The consistency of the dal was right too: not mushy but little crunchy. I would have liked to have a small cup of ghee to the side so each person could add butter and make it more rich. The trio of creme brulee had chocolate (a mixture of dark and milk chocolate with a hint of cardamom), mango and orange .\r Mr. Praveen told us that the flavors for the trio change weekly: next week he was having a jasmine , quince and pomegranate. We learned that he uses mostly seasonal products and a lot of the ingredients are grown in his backyard.\r The food took a little long to arrive. Compared to other Indian restaurants this place is pricier but it offers you a culinary journey. I wished they offered sampling menu: bites size of all the items on the menu. I am still wondering about the beet and nut salad, the Pondicherry salmon. Maybe next time if I visit south California again.\r Pros: Each dish has its flavor Cons: food took a little long to arrive more

I am Indian and a good cook. Very rarely do I find an Indian restaurant I like because most places overload their dishes wiht heavy cream or oil. My husband, my two small children , went to eat at this restaurant last week. The place was pretty full for midweek. We ordered a mango corm soup, dal makhani, shahi chicken, balti lamb, a variety of naans and paraths and a creme brulee trio. The mango corn soup was fruity and smooth with a very light hint of sweetness and a little spice kick. The flavor of the mango wasn?t overpowered by the sweetness of the corn, neither was it lost in the spiciness. They offer unusual flavors of naans and paranthas: olives, rosemary etc...Each ingredient could be tasted, same with the shahi chicken and the balti lamb. The meat dishes weren?t as spicy as expected (we had asked for moderately spiced) but it is difficult to indicate one person?s limit. In various places with the same request: moderately spicy I have been served very spicy food or very bland food per my standards. The dal makhani tasted exactly as it should: slightly nutty flavor, without a hint of cream. The consistency of the dal was right too: not mushy but little crunchy. I would have liked to have a small cup of ghee to the side so each person could add butter and make it more rich. The trio of creme brulee had chocolate (a mixture of dark and milk chocolate with a hint of cardamom), mango and orange . Mr. Praveen told us that the flavors for the trio change weekly: next week he was having a jasmine , quince and pomegranate. We learned that he uses mostly seasonal products and a lot of the ingredients are grown in his backyard. The food took a little long to arrive. Compared to other Indian restaurants this place is pricier but it offers you a culinary journey. I wished they offered sampling menu: bites size of all the items on the menu. I am still wondering about the beet and nut salad, the Pondicherry salmon. Maybe next time if I visit south California again. Pros: Each dish has its flavor Cons: food took a little long to arrive more

This place has the most authentic indian food I've had in Los Angeles. The staff is friendly and helpful and the food in flavorful without being overly spicy. The lamb curry was my favorite while my friends had a tandoori pomegranate duck which made great use of local ingredients. This place is worth cost and is perfect for a special occasion. Pros: Food, service was good more

This place has the most authentic indian food I've had in Los Angeles. The staff is friendly and helpful and the food in flavorful without being overly spicy. The lamb curry was my favorite while my friends had a tandoori pomegranate duck which made great use of local ingredients. This place is worth cost and is perfect for a special occasion. Pros: Food, service was good more

This is a great vegetarian spot. I love the tofu wrap with a squeeze of lemon. So delicious. I get it everytime more

This is a great vegetarian spot. I love the tofu wrap with a squeeze of lemon. So delicious. I get it everytime more

My first surprise was the cost. This place is REALLY expensive for indian food. Indian food and mexican food are two cuisines I generally don't expect to spend much money on -- especially since I am vegetarian and the meat dishes are usually what costs a bit more. Lets face it... you usually don't expect to have to pay a fortune for a small cup of tea with NO REFILLS! But enough... if it is great food or something really special I'm willing to pay for it. \r \r Unfortunately, that is not the case here. The food was bland and lacked any general spice whatsoever. Even though I said I'd like it a bit spicy (I want it edible and indian places can really be a bit much for me -- but I requested a 7 out of 10 hotness scale and I swear there wasn't a touch of spice). Putting aside the fact that it wasn't hot enough (spice wise) typically indian food is flavorful -- this was not.\r \r Anyhow.. if you like bland expensive food this may be the place for you. It definately was not the place for me!\r \r Pros: Nice ambience for an indian place Cons: Food and value make this place a definate no-go. more