Apr 1

Apr 1 A New Indian Restaurant You Say?

Photos stolen from the internet | Credit given where remembered

An open letter to the owners.

Why are Indian restaurants always, like, red vinyl chairs, white table cloths (which I leave destroyed), Mughal paintings, and a flat-screen with Bollywood videos?

India is big and bold and full of color, texture, carved wood, and flowers. It has 4,000+ years of absolutely glorious art and design history to pull from. The Ojai Valley doesn’t have a huge Southeast Asian community, but we have a ton of local artisans and resources. I think if we work together, we could pull off just about anything. I mean, this town is home to The Pleiades. Here’s some design inspiration for my new favorite lunch spot (that doesn’t exist yet).

Let’s talk Color:

Frontier Paint in Mira Monte carries Farrow and Ball paint! They also have some really incredible Lime Wash paints. Vera Long really knows her way around a lime wash.

Or — I picked up some Copper Sulfate pigment while I was in Jodhpur. It’s all yours.

The Darjeeling Limited | Production design by .mark friedberg

Jodhpur, the Blue City, Gets its color from Copper Sulfate

Okay, so how about Style?

Haute Court Chandigarh | ©www.anlassociates.com

I would go with 20th Century Pop-Folk Maximalism.

Le Corbusier’s High Court in Chandigarh kinda reminds me of a Tata truck. I know, like, five welders. Let’s gooooo!

Art & Decor:

I love these photos by Toni Meneguzzo, but boy are they hard to get your hands on. Bottom-right: I Photoshopped that one (in a hurry)! I can do better!

Carly Home in Meiners Oaks designs absolutely gorgeous textiles and wallpaper. Are her block prints expressly Indian? No. Would they totally work? I think so!

Printed Pillow by Carly Home in Meiners Oaks

Hotel ABode Mumbai, doing everything right

Indian Bowl from Carly Home in Meiners Oaks

Carved Wooden Tray from Carly Home in Meiners Oaks

BD’s farm on Cuyama grows marigolds. What do you say to the restaurant being absolutely draped in marigolds when they’re in season? Floral artist Hollyflora can help with this.

While we’re at it, BD has been supplying produce to a whole bunch of restaurants in town. Field-to-Fork Indian? A small, seasonal menu? Can I get masala french fries? I don’t want to go down a whole rabbit hole here, I’ll leave that to you guys, but I will just say: Chase Elder and Francine Gealer made some samosa hand pies the other day that knocked my socks off.

Multimedia:

Easy. Vintage Bollywood. Go to Radiooooo, select: INDIA | 1960’S | FAST, and you’re done. Or, I picked up some records in Delhi. You can borrow them.

Let’s get a little Schtick-y:

Okay, so, without giving too much away, this restaurant’s location is slightly off the beaten path. Park one of these guys in front! Carmen Abelleira can paint it.

I’ll be your delivery driver — Meiners Oaks-only, I’m not in great shape — oh, but I will be. I will have god-like calves.