Electric Karma

We tried this place on a friend's recommendation, but were terribly disappointed. We love Indian food and always get chicken tandoori, cheese naan, aloo mataar, and samosas, but the food here was unlike any other Indian food we've ever had, and not in a good way. Most frustrating was that we ordered to go without looking at the menu and despite that there are 3 specials containing the items we got for a much more decent price, we were charged full price for all items and the waiter didn't even suggest the specials on the menu. The tandoori chicken was flat out burned and even the rice wasn't right. I can see how people would like the atmosphere, but it doesn't even come close to making up for the poor cuisine. We'll be sticking to our other local options. Please note that I don't work for either of these restaurants, but we much prefer Bollywood in Studio City, and Star of India on Melrose is pretty good on that side of the hill. If you're looking for good Indian food I would definitely recommend one of those over Electric Karma.

http://www.electrickarma.com/client/electrickarma/index.html

Anarkali

While I was having my car serviced the other day Chase and I lunched at Anarkali on Melrose for a quick bite. We went in purely due to convenience, so I really knew nothing about the place, except that they have great lunch specials, starting at $6.95 a person. Chase and I got the Chicken Tikka Masala Lunch Special for two which came with a full plate of chicken tandoori, chicken tikka masala, vegetable curry, rice, and naan. We had the tandoori prepared medium spicy, but it was still pretty spicy and left our fingers stained yellow. It was really good and lemony nonetheless. The chicken tikka masala was probably the best I've ever had. The sauce was really sweet and tasted almost like tomato basil soup. I would have preferred to switch the veggie curry out for aloo mataar, but the restaurant won't let you substitute anything. All of this was more than enough food for two (I think the only think we finished was the masala). We had enough to pack a to go box and walked out with a $22 check, which we thought was pretty delicious. I was a little concerned about the B rating in the window, but once the food came out my worries were relieved. The interior was pretty over the top with several booths lined along each wall, shadowed by Indian fabric that extends across the ceiling. I didn't check the dinner prices, but I'm sure they are just as reasonable. I'd say it's definitely worth a shot, and the lunch specials are available on Saturday too.

http://www.anarkali-la.com/

East India Grill

After complaining that there wasn't much good Indian food around our area, Chase and I were delighted to stumble upon East India Grill on La Brea. This place is all Bollywood, all the time. It's tucked away in the cute little eatery section of La Brea with Sante La Brea and a couple of others. We came for dinner on a week night and the place was pretty empty. The servers were attentive, albeit pretty unfriendly. We got our usual: samosas, tandoori chicken, and aloo mataar and it was all really great. Everything tasted the way we prefer our Indian food to be: grilled and a little charred on the outside, but with a tender center, though I do have to admit that I thought the chicken was really dry. Still, definitely worth trying!

http://www.eastindiagrillla.com/
Warning! Very ethnic website!

Bollywood Cafe

Want the best Indian food you've had in your life (unless you've actually been to India of course)? Bollywood is the place. Though the space looks like an American interpretation of what an Indian restaurant should look like, the food is second to none. It's always best to go here with several people and sample everything because there's just too much great stuff to pass up when it's just one or two people. Anytime Griffin and I have gone by ourselves, we always over-order, but we're always happy to have leftovers! The creme de la creme starts off with an order of the vegetable samosas (fried potatoes and peas for those unfamiliar with Indian cuisine). The main course for us usually consists of garlic cheese naan (a soft, thick bread served warm), chicken tandoori (red in appearance, but tastes like bbq chicken) or chicken tikka masala (grilled chicken in a creamy yogurt-based sauce), jasmine rice, and some aloo mataar to top it off (potatoes and peas again!). If it is just a party of two, Bollywood offers a tandoori for two that is fantastic. This sampler platter comes pretty much with all of the above, but also adds in an onion pakora (think Awesome Blossom), and the pudding desert, which if you like rice pudding, you'll love. Bollywood opened a second location literally blocks down Ventura from the original Studio City shop and called it Bollywood 2. I haven't checked out the new store yet, but I am curious to hear what the differences are, if any. For those on the other side of the hill, Star of India on Melrose is as close to Bollywood quality as we've found so far, but still it could never compare. If you aren't up for driving across town though, it will still do you right. Both places deliver and usually cost $30-$40 a couple, with leftovers of course.

http://www.bollywoodcafela.com/
http://starofindiala.com/