The Inn of the Seventh Ray is located in the resplendent hills of Topanga Canyon, where looming overhead candlelit tables are grand pines and sycamores providing an enchanting nook for intimate conversation, while the interior is made heavenly by the light sounds of meditative music played in the background. This delightful bistro offers a natural and healthy cuisine composed by a sundry of organic foodstuffs, allowing guests to choose from vegan, vegetarian, raw, or fresh takes on conventional dishes. Diners can choose from dishes such as the succulent Pink Grapefruit & Avocado Salad or the mouth watering Atlantic Halibut & Little Neck Clams. This romantic diner is the healthy choice to satisfy the appetitive and soothe the soul.
Halibut
I have heard so much about this place that I had to go. Most people I knew told me that it was great, but quite a few also hated it, so I thought I would check it out and decide for myself...well, sort of- cause my wife came along,too! Wow, are we glad we did!
First of all, you have to take a date, because it is hands down the most beautiful setting in LA. Although, there was a group of ladies celebrating something at a nearby table and they seemed to be having a good time without their hubbies. I completely understand the difference between my friends' opinions about this place now, because the ones who liked it are my laid back, fairly well adjusted friends, and the ones who didn't are my high-strung buddies. If you're the one leaning on the horn the instant the light turns green and the car in front of you hasn't sped off, then this place is not for you.BUT: if you want a nice, romantic dinner where you can actually spend quality time with someone that you actually want to speak to in between bites, then make a reservation NOW.
The food is made to order with attention to detail that really shows. Everything is fresh, organic and delicious. We started with an heirloom tomato salad that was to die for-so fresh-the waiter told us that the tomatos are not even sliced until we order it! I thought that was going to be the best thing, but then we had scallops-freshly seared, a portobello appetizer that blew away anything I have EVER had in LA! The main course was Lamb for me and some Australian fish that I have never heard of that my wife is still raving about. Maybe even better than the food was the wine. My wife and I are both big wine lovers and the new list(evidently there is both a new chef AND a new wine steward) is outstanding! They tell you all about which wines are organic and even biodynamic(they even tell you what that means) I have never seen anything like it, and every page I turned there were more amazing wines to choose from all of the greatest wineries in the world. But mainly California, and since we were eating California "new age" cuisine, we had California wine-well, my wife actually started with a glass a French Sauvignon Blanc, but we shared a bottle of pinot noir from the Ojai Vineyard(we took the bottle home)that absolutely stole the show.I had a really great viognier to start.
We both agreed that this was one of the best meals we have ever had in LA and if we had been eating at one of those snooty places downtown or in Beverly Hills we would have paid at least twice as much for food that was not as good. And the best part was- the fact that we weren't in some wannabe French style crowded art deco lounge (yeah, LA doesn't have enough of those!), but we were sitting by a creek, outdoors with real flowers all around us. We even heard coyotes! It was amazing!I can't believe we had never been there before and we are absolutely going back!
If you are the type who is always tapping your feet at the movies(waiting for it to end) and the explosion was your favorite part,or if at a restaurant with your significant other you want the waitress always hovering over you with a check in her hand waiting for you to leave, then this place is not your kind of restaurant. Head to Chevy's and you'll be happy. But if you want a special night, where you want to get to know that special someone, or spend the night with a group and enjoy great ambience, food and friends for an unrushed, memorable evening, then make a reservation now!
FANTASTIC . SIMPLY GREAT EXPERIENCE . GO GO GO AND ENJOY IT !!!! OTTO GABOR JOZSA
