In the heart of West Hollywood , California , upscale Indian restaurant Electric Karma is popular with both celebrities and neighborhood locals, who praise the authentic Punjabi cuisine prepared with unconventional flair by owner and chef Paramjit Singh. The management and staff are on a first-name basis with regular customers, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere to match the backdrop of Electric Karma’s romantic, open-air courtyard and candle-lit dining room. At night, films of Indian beauty Ashwariya Rai and other Bollywood stars are projected silently above the main dining room to the ambient sounds of world or house music, giving the restaurant a Hollywood hipster air. Electric Karma’s heated courtyard is ideal year-round for both intimate, private gatherings and special business occasions. Appetizers include traditional vegetarian samosas seasoned with tamarind and sweet tomato chutney, pakoras fritters, sambar soup and cheese naan with mango chutney. Chicken, lamb, seafood and tofu entrees include stand-outs such as green chicken tikka with mint and basil, fish tandoori and lamb tikka masala cooked in a clay oven. Paramjit’s Chef Specials such as Nirvana chicken in a coconut masala curry and the Bombay favorites chicken, lamb or gobi Frankie are redolent of fresh herbs and spices. Beverages include Indian mojitos, a mango sangria specially made on the premises, an assortment of premier Indian beers, traditional lassi , homemade nimbu paani lemonade with fresh ginger and lime juice and Indian chai,. All of Electric Karma’s dishes are low-fat, prepared with olive oil and no dairy. Vegan options are also available. “Attracting the young and hip, thanks to compellingly cool settings… Excellent cooking for reasonable prices; lamb in coconut sauce that’s a treat, garlic naan to die for… “ Zagat Survey Electric Karma is open for lunch and dinner weekdays and Sundays 11:30 to 10:30pm and on Fridays and Saturdays 11:30am to 11:00pm. It is located in a row of popular upscale clothing, furniture and gift boutiques and is nearby the Beverly Center shopping center. www.electrickarma.com
