Blue Peacock, Temecula

The chefs at the Blue Peacock pull recipes from all over India, but they have an especially soft spot for Punjab. This fondness is evident in every serving of garlic naan, lamb curry, and the particularly popular chicken nirvana—chicken and potatoes in a coconut-milk gravy. The menu also revolves around the tandoor oven, which roasts skewered lamb kabobs at 800 degrees, the exact temperature of the most delicious part of the sun.

Although meat abounds on the Blue Peacock's menu, there are also numerous vegetarian plates. Shahi paneer, for example, features homemade Indian cheese and nuts cooked with tomatoes and ginger. As for drinks, the beverage selection ranges from ginger-spiced lemonade to wines and Indian beers.