Tantra restaurant in Silver Lake is where my Indian friends go to enjoy the flavors of their homeland-- when they don't feel like cooking themselves. I had to see what they are constantly raving about so my husband and I had a little Tantric experience of our own. When we entered through the massive copper doors it was like stepping into another realm... We were astounded by the décor that takes its cues from the spices of Indian cooking. Rich turmeric and saffron colored walls and a beautiful portrait of an Indian mythological figure beckoned our presence.

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 Panilla Dream. Black and white Bollywood movies are projected onto the walls, artfully blending Indian allure with California culture.

To the left is the dining area. An arched doorway leads to a narrow pool strewn with orchid blossoms and floating candles. It is a beautiful surprise and really sets the tone for the rest of what is yet to come. Above the pool hangs a gigantic metal sculpture that serves to delight the eye and privatize the space from the foyer. Hibiscus-colored silk lamps rather dimly light the room, and create drama and romance all at once. This is definitely a great date destination.

For starters we decided to try the Indian beer Taj Majal, a medium-bodied amber ale, and the Palak Kofta, or spinach roulade. The order came with six pieces, served with a butter-tomato sauce. Aside from the fragrant aroma, the most remarkable aspect of this dish was the texture. The spinach was smooth and moist on the inside, and crispy on the outside. The butter tomato sauce was very fine, as though it had been worked through a sieve. It was fresh and flavorful and complimented the spinach well, without overpowering it.

Next we ordered the Mulayam Rattan, or the lemon and chili scallops. This dish blended the flavors of the ocean with the land. The scallops were bathed in fragrant coconut milk and piquant spices. It was served in a shallow bowl with a dollop of masala mashed potatoes in the center of the dish. There was a hint of curry in the potatoes which balanced nicely with the sweetness of the coconut milk. The scallops had been macerated and the dish had the consistency of a chunky dip so we ordered some Naan to scoop it up.

For one of our main dishes we ordered Rogan Josh which is lamb shank in a rich onion-tomato sauce. It is served with golden saffron rice. I know aromatherapy is all about fragrance, so it was no surprise that the spices that wafted up from this dish were heavenly and soothing. Curry and coriander bathed my senses in rich and exotic spices. The sauce was a hearty tomato base, and really stood up to the lamb-- again without overpowering it.

We also ordered the Nariyal Machi, AKA catfish masala. The fish is grilled over charcoal and then served in a mild coconut masala with lime leaves and basmati rice. This is one of the most popular dishes on the menu and it is easy to understand why. There were four generous pieces of catfish that were cooked to perfection, and took on some of the smoky flavor of the grill. There was also a slight sweetness inherent in the fish that complimented the coconut, curry and lime.

What Indian meal is complete without vegetables? Certainly we had to try the Bhindi Bhazi, or seasoned okra. This dish is a TKO in terms of texture and flavor. Okra, onions and tomatoes are slowly sautéed with tamarind and mint and develop the most refined flavors. The okra absolutely melts in your mouth.

And though we were completely satiated, we were compelled to have dessert so we ordered Tandoori Ananas, which was pineapple cooked in the tandoori oven with cardamom, saffron and served with vanilla ice cream. This was a delightful blend of sweet and savory and a nice way to end a fabulous evening.

This restaurant is inspirational and romantic and we were eager to try as many dishes as possible. We knew we were ordering too much, but couldn't restrain ourselves. The best outcome of our indulgence was the leftovers. At home in better lighting, we were awestruck by the gorgeous colors of the golden saffron rice and deep red sauces we missed in the restaurant. (As I mentioned, the glow was beautiful from the silken lamps, but did not sufficiently illuminate the stunning creations the restaurant served.)

Tantra is a little slice of Nirvana, so grab somebody you love or want some loving from and head over to Silver Lake, where surely you'll find enlightenment.

Tantra
3705 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 663-8268
http://www.tantrasunset.com/

kat@la2day.com