"Fitoor has the look of a place fit for an over-the-top banquet, but works well for walk-in dinner and drinks, too. Originally from San Jose, this upscale Indian restaurant in Santa Monica is decorated with gold accents, glowing globe lights, and floor-to-ceiling drapes—and, apparently, the occasional fire dancer on weekends. The menu is a broad mix of traditional curries like tender lamb shank rogan josh scooped up with naan, snacky street foods, and creative small plates like sweet chili broccoli (these tend to be our favorites). The bar is the sparkly centerpiece of the restaurant though, so it’s worth a stop for just a nightcap—we love the Pluto, a dessert-like gin cocktail with white chocolate and lemon." - brant cox, arden shore, sylvio martins, cathy park