117 W. Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401 ~ 310-656-1664 (TACO Guide)
My oral enthusiasm for Indian delicacies eventually steered me to Gate of India, Santa Monica's well-spoken of 'Atala' dripping in festive tent fabrics, gorgeous detail and ornament, swish figurtative paintings, and the occasional random string of Christmas lights, resembling some middle-aged gal's 40-thieves-induced wet dreams aboard a first flight to Delhi. Stoppering the northside of the 3rd St. Promenade, mere yards from the beach, Gate of India's first non-surprise was disclosing the buffet's $10 price as relative to the suggestions of its high-profile real-estate.
Desi ex-girlfriends and bent ex-roommates can back me up, I munch more than a man's fair share of South Asian fare, so a 10 buck all-you-can-eat buffet seemed like the right idea at the time of this blazed lunch. Service was friendly, the spot bright and buzzing with worker bees, plus the buffet is convenient and wide open enough to fit my dear and personal interpretation of Eric Wright's 'Eazy Access Legislature of 1988.' Atmosphere aside, hot curry in my mouth is what I seek, so onward did I press....