Mandala Restaurant - Tibetan, Japanese and Indian
11400 N Ventura Ave B, Ojai, CA 93023, United States
This is an excellent restaurant and truly unique food with a combination of Indian, Asian and Tibetan menu. There is good seating both indoor and outdoors on the patio, as well as a takeaway service.
Sakura Ojai
219 E Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023, United States
We put in an online order that said it would be ready in 35 min. I dont mind waiting extra but after 60 min after our order was placed and 30 min after I had arrived, I checked in to see how much longer the wait. The young waiter was super helpful and said it was waiting for 1 roll. He checked in with the chef who had said he already had gave it. It was clear they forgot or lost the ticket for that one roll. Im not sure how long the others rolls had been sitting out at this point. The hostess or manager who was seating and handling take out orders came in and was irritated and told me I was to wait outside. I told her it had been an hour and clear the chefs didnt have the ticket as she walked away. After another 25 min wait I asked the young waiter again and he said it should be done. It was. It was all sitting there. The hostess/manager came in grabbed my order from him and began telling him that wasnt his job. He said he was just trying to help since I waited so long. I know half my order had been sitting our for over 30 minutes which isnt good for raw fish. The hostess/manager kept talking to him telling him I could wait. I had already prepaid or I would have left so I asked the woman for my order and she only gave it when other customers turned. She never offered any kind word or apologies for the wait. In the time I waited, they sat people who just arrived before people who had waited 30 min or more for a table. She couldnt keep the names of people in order to sit them. I will never go back for dine in or take out.
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Yume Japanese Burger Cafe
254 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023, United States
For such a high review stars I was disappointed. But Im giving 4 stars because the staffs are extremely welcoming and helpful.1. Pictures dont match actual dishes. There is no price and description on the front door menu so I asked whats in the shake - answer was Oreo flake, pocky stick and mochi waffle. And boba can be added. So I ordered a matcha shake adding boba. But when my drink came there was only boba not the toppings. Waitress told me those are not included which contradict from the answer I heard earlier so Im very confused, maybe I misunderstood it but they promptly took the drink to added these in upon my request so I really appreciated that.The burger my partner ordered showed fried onions in it, but the burger came with sautéed onions, which was very disappointing to him and made the bun wet as well. The taste is good though.2. Some of the boba in my drink were still frozen - which is a big no-no for me. If youre selling boba drink you better make sure all the bobas are cooked through.3. Chicken karaage was kind of wet/oily, not the traditional crispy type to which Im very disappointed. Some people may like it? But really not what I was expecting.Overall it is still a fine place to get some snacks if youre craving for some comfort food. I did enjoy my shrimp tempura burger. Just need to set the expectation right and remember its pricey.
Hip Vegan
201 N Montgomery St, Ojai, CA 93023, United States
We stumbled upon this fantastic healthy restaurant today! Clean and airy with air conditioning inside! This is not a full service restaurant, but rather a restaurant where you select your food and drink at the counter, pay and find a table. There are several tables inside, but we chose to sit outside in the patio.My husband is not a fan of vegetables or healthy stuff, but enjoyed his Baguette and Gunpowder fries which comes with their homemade curry ketchup and a tasty mustard! He said his baguette was flavorful and spicy good! The fries were spicy and the dipping sauces devine, although the fries are stand alone tasty. He said he would come back to Hip Vegan again!I ordered the Wagamama Bowl which was heavenly to my tummy! I love all the Asian flavors in this bowl. The portion size of this bowl is generous and I could of had it all, but decided to pace myself and take some home for dinner later tonight. I definitely recommend the wagamama bowl!I also ordered one of the seasonal fruit sodas. I chose the watermelon lime juice mixed with soda. My husband had a beer on tap.After finishing our meal, we bussed our plates and trash. Inside there is a station to get your own metal utensils and glassware for water, along with paper napkins.Hip Vegan is truly a pleasant restaurant for yummy food and drink!
Topa Topa Brewing Company
345 E Ojai Ave A, Ojai, CA 93023, United States
Beer is good. Prices not so much. Bought one and a half pints of their regular ipa chief and it was essentially 20 bucks for 1.5 pints after tax and a buck tip on each. Thats too much for 24 ounces of standard IPA. Ill grab a six pack next time and drink it at a beautiful trail destination and save myself the scene and cost. I wanted a half after ordering my pint and even though the sign said 4 and 8 for two sizes I was charged 6 for 8 oz of beer. When I asked I was told that a half was six but its not on the sign. I asked about the sign and he said taster, or whatever the word was, wasnt a half and half simply want on the sign. Six dollars is too much for 8oz of standard IPA and clarify portions in sign before charging undisclosed, and not advertised, sums. Its misleading. Not the bartenders fault I suppose though if its not posted he should clarify. I wouldve ordered a full pint for the extra two bucks. He did seem like he was about to offer to make it a pint but Im not cheap and that would have been a touch embarrassing. I didnt want to make a deal, though its uncomfortable to be put in peculiar scenarios that could be avoided. Its a principal thing.The crowd, on the weekends, also leaves something to be desired. Mostly tourist vibe but thats often the case in downtown Ojai on weekends. Obviously this is not Topa Topas fault though it likely helps boost their prices. Ill give the benefit of the doubt with inflation and all. Plus, it seems like the food is good, so maybe I should go on a weekday and give that a crack. Im a local and its known that weekends are a good time to avoid the thoroughfare.On weekends Its like the preppy kids in an 80s movie. Think Lamda Lamda Lamda vibes. Major Tri-Lams. Took a breather for a year or so since I had a less than courteous experience with tender last in a Topa Topa. Think Im done now.
The Dutchess
457 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023, United States
If youre on the hunt for an unforgettable dining experience in Ojai, look no further than The Duchess. Nestled in the heart of this charming town, The Duchess promises a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds singing with delight. My recent visit to this restaurant was nothing short of extraordinary.The ambiance at The Duchess is both warm and inviting, making it the perfect setting for an evening of gastronomic exploration. The decor exudes a subtle blend of elegance and comfort, setting the stage for an exceptional dining experience. But its the food that truly steals the show.Our meal commenced with the naan, a classic favorite that never disappoints. The naan at The Duchess was warm, pillowy, and perfectly cooked. It served as an excellent canvas for the array of delectable flavors to follow.Next up were the chickpea fritters, a crispy delight that had just the right amount of spice. The fritters were expertly prepared, boasting a crunchy exterior and a tender, flavorful interior. They were served with a mouthwatering dipping sauce that added an extra layer of complexity to each bite.The crispy potatoes were a revelation. Golden and crispy on the outside, yet soft and creamy on the inside, they were seasoned to perfection. A sprinkling of herbs elevated their flavor profile, making them utterly irresistible.And then there was the tandoori chicken, a dish that showcased The Duchesss mastery of Indian cuisine. The chicken was succulent and bursting with the smoky, aromatic flavors of the tandoor. Each bite was a revelation, and I found myself savoring every morsel. The naan, chickpea fritters, crispy potatoes, and tandoori chicken were all exceptional, and I cant wait to return to explore more of their menu. If youre in Ojai and in search of a memorable dining experience, make a reservation at The Duchess—you wont be disappointed.
Live to Eat
842 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023, United States
My family and I went recently for the first time and, suffice to stay, we will be coming back.Food was flavorful and portions were great! I ordered the spicy dan dan noodles and they were delicious! The spice level was just right to still be able to enjoy the dish. The portion was great too because I was able to finish all of it and feel satisfied (whereas I usually take home leftovers when eating out at other places). I also ordered takoyaki and it was also delicious! The inside was creamy and I wish I had ordered more for my family and me.The staff was also inviting, kind, and responsive. The restaurant also offers various Asian snacks to purchase. I got a bag of shrimp chips and Ramune-flavored chewy candies, and our server gave us the candies on the house!I also enjoyed the restaurant atmosphere with windows lining the walls to invite lots of sunlight into the restaurant.
Little Sama Ojai
345 E Ojai Ave A, Ojai, CA 93023, United States
This was such a spectacular place to eat! I had the Wagyu Cheese Burger. This this was so well put together. The burger was juicy and has so much umami. The toppings had a slight sweetness from the caramelized onions that helped balance out the richness of the patty.We had several other dishes that were just as yummy like the Okonomiyaki Tater Tots and Crispy Brussel Sprouts. The house sauces that they use for each dish really sets them apart from every other Asian Fusion restaurant. You wont go wrong selecting any dish. But, I was thoroughly blown away with the cheese burger and would 100% recommend!The experience was wonderful and the staff were very accommodating. Steven Du is the chef and he worked his magic with every dish. As long as he is at the helm in the Little Samas kitchen, I know Im going to get the best tasting food.
Exotic Thai Restaurant
849 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023, United States
Terribly disappointed. I don’t like to negatively review any place especially restaurants but I have to now. Firstly, the name of the restaurant is exotic indeed but the food does not match up to that name particularly for the high priced menu.The only reason I went there was because I had a great experience with the food and service four years ago. Sadly, much can change over four years. I ordered one large TomKa Ghai soup bowl made with coconut milk, lemongrass and chicken. When it was served, I was put off by a very strange stale smell, looked like they used canned coconut milk. I understand lemongrass has health benefits, but it seemed they cut up an entire tree and added to the soup. Lemongrass has a strong aftertaste and too much can spoil a dish, I know because I cook Asian cuisine a lot. There was not a whole lot of chicken in the soup and for the price I paid - 14 dollars plus tax, it was a total waste of money.There were only two people serving customers. While the waitress was a very nice lady and was attentive, the woman who is supposed to be the greeter or hostess was quite rude. No hello or hi or a simple smile, nothing. She was yelling at me when she asked me pick a table I liked. Maybe she was having a bad day but you don’t show it on others. Will never go back here.