Naya Sunset & Naya Lounge, Los Angeles

Chef Imram Ali Moohki chose the name Naya, meaning "new" in Hindi, as a demonstration of his restaurant's commitment to using Californian flavors to modernize Indian cuisine. Avocado, tortilla chips, and garlic mashed potatoes appear along with familiar southern Asian staples, including tandoori chicken and coconut-based curries. Although the accompanying wine list emphasizes California producers, the cocktail selection embraces the same cultural mélange as the food, garnishing drinks with ginger and basil as well as agave nectar and jalapeño.

The restaurant's airy dining room lines its walls with flowing lace curtains, allowing cherry-red candles, napkins, and carpeting to lend a vibrant splash of color. Nearby, the wood-toned, Moroccan-style lounge braces its vaulted ceilings with a network of gothic arches and helium-filled chandeliers.