Lal Mirch

My girlfriend and I checked this place out accidentally as it was located near a friends house and we decided to try it out. I'll be clear. We love Indian food, have been everywhere, and found Lal Mirch to be maybe the best Indian Food in all of Los Angeles. Very fresh, very hot, perfect amount of flavor and spice. The naan and the rice pudding were the best we'd had. Our waiter gave us the dessert on the house as a reward for our appreciation of the food. It's well priced, most lunch dishes are $7-$8. We had two drinks, a meat dish and a vegetable dish with an order of naan for less than $22. We also typically find that in Los Angeles either you get a great atmosphere and okay food or great food and dumpy atmosphere, but Lal Mirch is beautifully decorated and had amazing food. Guaranteed great experience for any Indian food lovers. Pros: Prices are reasonable, food is amazing, service is very good. Cons: Small parking lot in back. more

Okay, so dining-in for Indian food has always been a daunting experience for me. I'm not an expert, but I do love the cuisine. Every time I have gone to Indian Food restaurants I have been made to feel uninformed and inexperienced (to put it politely). \r Lal Mirch was so fantasticly different I was finally compelled to write my first review on CitySearch. Not only was our waiter funny, polite and patient, he made great recommendations for my group. Honestly, how many of you out there have had a waiter at an Indian restaurant take the time to make sure your order was well rounded and balanced in flavor! Everything we ordered was prepared perfectly, by a chef that we were told had over 25 years of experience cooking Indian dishes. Every dish can be made as spicy as you can handle, or as mild as you like. The price was also surprisingly good for this kind of quality. Do Not Miss this Great Indian Restaurant in the Valley! Pros: Service was top notch, and the food was even better. Cons: Parking could be a pain, but it wasn't difficult for us. No one has found this Treasure yet! more

Hortobagy has actually changed its name and moved to the city! They have taken over the old Csardas and changed their name to DUNA CSARDA. The food is exceptional. The owner, Lazlo is so kind and gracious and even asked if he could make me something that wasn't on the menu. He is a master of this cuisine. For the appetizer DO NOT MISS the veal palacsinta - the sering is more than generous and the flavors are out of this world. The stuffed cabbage is perfect as is the duck. The value and location and decor (they gave their new location a facelift) is lovely. Go go go go go support an incredibly colorful and kind group of people in their new ventue - you will be so happy you did! Pros: Food, People, Friendly Customers, Location, Service, Value Cons: Not a bad word to say more

I have been dining here regularly since they opened. Their food is consistently above the rest. Lamb Rogan Josh is what I had today, it's full of flavor and tastes fresh, unlike someplaces where the lamb tastes overcooked. Their dal tarka is another dish that has a real good garlic aroma. I always get excellent food and service here. Love it!! Pros: Food is consistenly good and fresh... more

I loved their vegetable somoza, it's full of flavored vegetable. I loved their Chicken Tikka Masala. The orange sherbet for dessert was one of a kind came in a real cute orange. I went there four times already, and I just LOVE IT!! They also have a real nice decor makes it warm and cozy. The price is really good and the service is excellent. Pros: Great Tasting Food, Nice ambiance, and Excellent Service Cons: Need bigger parking than the just the small one in the back. more

I selected this restaurant based on the reviews from previous patrons. However, I was very disappointed with my experience.\r \r I called and made reservations for dinner. When we arrived, we were informed by the hostess/waitress that she did not find a reservation but could seat us. She offered a small booth next to a large table with a chair at the end. We declined and chose a table instead. Within 5 minutes a booth became available. We asked the waiter if we could switch. He advised us in a not so friendly tone he needed to finish cleaning the table. When the hostess/waitress brought our water, we advised that we would be moving to the booth. She grumbled slightly and shook her head. In the mean time, a couple entered the restaurant. The waiter came to advise us that we could move. However, the hostess/waitress approached and said that the couple waiting had reservations for a booth and we could not have that particular table. Not a problem yet. A second booth became available and we asked if we could move. The couple with the reservations saw the second booth and requested that booth instead. The hostess/waitress/waiter then advised us that we could have the original booth that we requested. Had we been discrimated against due to our skin color? I'm not sure. This put a damper on our experience but we decided to make the best of the situation. \r \r We sampled the Mushroom Soup, Cucumber Salad, Roast Duck (special of the evening), Cabbage Rolls and Wooden Plate. The Mushroom soup was tasty, but the entrees were just okay. Unfortuantely, I do not feel the food met the rave reviews from other reviewers. The Wooden Plate was enough for 2 and gave you a sample of various items, however I felt it was overpriced. I have never sampled Hungarian food before, but if this is the best they have to offer I will pass in the future.\r \r Bottom line ~ I would not recommend this restaurant nor will I patronize it again. Cons: POOR Service, limited parking more

Traditionally Hungarian customer service is always a little lacking. So for their culture, they are very inviting. The food is some of the best around. My husband is a first generation Hungarian. And he thinks the food is like being home. The cucumber salad is to die for along with the Goulash. These are must haves. If you are first time, definitely get the veal or chicken paprikash. AWW...my mouth waters just thinking about it. Pros: The Food is unbeatable...delectable Cons: The ambience isn't first rate but still desirable more

I spent nearly every summer in Hungary eating the best tasting foods made by family and friends. My nother is also an amazing cook ...and from Miskolc, Hungary. Since moving to Los Angeles, I've been slowly learning the art od Hungarian cuisine! However, sometimes I just want the real deal; as in someone cooking for ME. I have finallyfound my special place where I can visit, ""HU"" whenever I want! \r \r The salami and kolbasz appetizer plate is a great way to start you meal. It even has a little korozott to spread on fresh bread. It may not be quite as spicey as I like it, but it was perfect with the paprika salami. We also tried the fried cheese. It melts in your mouth!\r \r For dinner, the veal paprikas was amazing! I usually choose chicken, but for old country's sake, I choose the one my uncle in Hungary would eat. Again, the flavors were a little more mellow that I'm used to, but that didn't stop me from cleaning my plate! My boyfriend had the Magyar style steak. It was cooked to perfection: crispy on the outside and juicey on the inside. We also had the cucumber salad on the side ...it was amazing!\r \r After all that food, we took our chestnutt cake and strudel to go! I was sad that they were out of, ""dobos torta"", but now I have a reason to go back sooner. I also saw a group of Hungarian elders sitting next to us being served giant pieces of, ""wiener schnitzel"" ... \r \r I'm happy that we finally went to this place! The food may be a little more ""mellow"" on the papika side, but it is very well prepared in this nice little family establishment. Great comfort food ... go check it out. Pros: Hungarian wines, Hungarian staff Cons: parking more

With only a few Hungarian restaurants to choose from in the Southern California area, Hortobagy is close as it gets to some authentic Hungarian flavors. We ordered the Fa'tal (wood platter) which consisted of two moist thinly sliced breaded pork cutlets, two types of Hungarian sausage, two pieces of breaded liver, tempura style battered cauliflower zucchini and mushrooms, excellent sweet and sour red cabbage, rice and a healthy portion of potatoes. Fresh bread with butter was great. The cloth napkins, candles and real flowers on the tables warm the experience. Only a few traditional items such as the Gulyas leves, Csirke paprikas and Reszelt máj are listed amongst standard fish, chicken and steak meals.\r \r Decor is warm and comfortable with a few Hungarian style paintings, go there expecting to see a nice clean place with a generic hint of the old world. This is not the gypsy style ""etterem"" restaurant with the violin players or folk dancers. Our waiter spoke Hungarian fluently which also was a plus. Parking is limited to a couple spaces behind the building and Ventura Blvd which is metered advisable to bring quarters. \r \r Pros: Great food and service with real Hungarian people Cons: Parking limited but available more

Was not very impressed with the food, had some spatzel with my meal and it was definitly not crafted very lovingly. The lace curtains and other decorations felt stale under the lighting and did not convey a sense of home for me. more

Great food in a most comfortable and cozy setting at very reasonable prices. The service is fairly fast and very friendly. It's been there for years and is just as enjoyable as ever. Love this place - too bad we don't have more like it. Pros: Excellent Food, Friendly Service, Reasonable Price Cons: Parking more

This is one of those places where you can feel confortable by yourself, or with frinds. So great, the best and very authentic food. Service is excellent. Cucumber salad that comes with every meal is to die for! Chicken paprikas... veal gulas... you cannot make a mistake. Everything is just the best and home made. My favorite dessert is chesnut pure. A great wine selection... more

I had forgotten about this restaurant though it's been in the same place for many years. Perhaps because I was dieting for the last few years, I was afraid of the carbs and fat, but the food is just so good at this place, I took my hungarian cousin there tonight and she expressed delight at the authenticity and quality. So, I'm told they are a good representative of Hungarian food, and all I know for sure is that it's one of my favorite restaurants in Los Angeles. more

i went here expecting little. i had lived in austria one month ( i know austria, hungary, different places) but Hortobagy reminded me of europe. foods homemade- even the noodles and dessert!!!! best food i have had in a LONG time. we need more hungarian food... i enjoyed mushroom paprikas and chestnut cake. Pros: comfy atmosphere, homemade everything Cons: pricey 4 college kid! more