Opening Alert: Akasha Richmond's Sāmbār Serving Samosas in Downtown Culver Tonight

Akasha Richmond’s new Indian-inspired restaurant Sāmbār is finally here. After taking a peek inside the unfinished space not long ago, the place has come together in a big way, and is currently soft-open for dinner in downtown Culver City.

The former Ford’s Filling Station interior has been whitewashed away and made a heck of a lot sunnier, thanks to some skylight action and a clean decor by way of Ruth Black from RTR Homes. Blond wood tables and inviting seating make for a comfortable atmosphere, complete with bar seating and a second run of high-backed stools that peers into the kitchen, and sits right in front of the behemoth old oven from the Ford’s Filling days, which Richmond has repurposed into a sort of horizontal tandoori oven.

The menu is a ride through just about every region of India, from the southern spice ports to heartier Himalayan fare. Richmond isn’t purely motivated by authenticity here, but rather is using well-known flavor profiles like masalas and vindaloos as a bridge to more California ingredients and preparations.

Sāmbār is currently open for dinner only from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. weekdays, and 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Look for lunch service to come soon, though.

Sāmbār
9531 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA