Bombay: New Digs, Same Street Smarts

Bombay Is on the Move: Bombay Cafe, the West L.A. Indian restaurant that introduced us to the delights of the street snacks of India (and especially Bombay), is moving. Sure, it’s only around the corner, but the difference between the two locations seems vast. By the end of this month, owners Neela Paniz and David Chaparro will have transferred Bombay from its awkward old upstairs location at a corner mall to free-standing digs at 12021 Pico Blvd., the former Bellini’s Trattoria space.

The new dining room will seat 75, and the new bar has 25 seats. Instead of the spare, modern decor of the old place, it will have a warmer feel, with blue and yellow walls, a walnut wood floor and windows dressed with bamboo blinds. Expect the same menu, with more Indian street food available at the bar.

Not Blending In: P.F. Chang’s, the westernized upscale Chinese restaurant chain with locations from El Segundo to Newport Beach, has opened another at the Beverly Center on North La Cienega Boulevard. The menu features dishes from Canton, Hunan, Mongolia, Shanghai and Sichuan, with no MSG added. The desserts are decidedly non-Asian (flour-less chocolate cake, Macadamia nut pie, vanilla ice cream), which some people would call a blessing. Seating about 200, the restaurant is decorated with murals and screen paintings, bonsai trees and stone Ming horses guarding the entrance. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, but you can call anyway at (310) 854-6467.

New Life for Old Tom: Tom Bergin’s, the old Irish tavern on Fairfax Avenue that Fred Eric of Vida almost leased, has instead undergone something of a make-over. Owner T.K. Vodrey has decked the place with new decorations for the holidays and hired Robert Moore, formerly of Restaurant 360 in Hollywood, as his new chef. Moore’s holiday menu features lobster bisque, herb-roasted leg of lamb and apple caramel tart with vanilla bean ice cream, to name a few items. Carolers will entertain from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Wednesday, Dec. 17 and 20.

* Tom Bergin’s Tavern, 840 S. Fairfax Ave., L.A.; (323) 936-7151.

Turducken Takes a Holiday: Rick Royce is closing his Cajun/barbecue joint on Pico Boulevard for now; he and his chef are in search of a location with a liquor license. Once in its new home, the restaurant’s concept will include Caribbean food. Royce’s Cafe Orleans will close after dinner Christmas Eve but will continue catering from the same phone number, (310) 441-7427.

Zagat Attack: The 1999 Los Angeles Zagat Survey hit the bookstore shelves this week. If you pick one up, you’ll notice that L.A.’s most popular restaurants haven’t changed much between this year and last. Patina is still No. 1, Cafe Bizou bumps Chinois on Main down a notch to take the No. 2 spot and Rockenwagner leap from 20th place to ninth. The top 50 food rankings also look similar, with Patina eking out a small lead over Matsuhisa, last year’s champion. Top newcomers/rated were Lavande, Tahiti, Chez Mimi, Nic’s (Beverly Hills) and Traxx. By the way, in your haste to see the new top table listings for yourself, don’t miss the forward (“What’s New,” Pages 6-7). It’s a gem.

Have Your Party at His Place: Tony DiLembo offers two special prix-fixe menus for parties of 18 to 140 at his restaurant Tahiti at 7910 W. 3rd St. in L.A. For your soiree, you can have butternut squash soup with rock shrimp relish, chive and crab risotto, and lavender-grilled breast of duck with spiced cranberry glaze. Special luncheon menus are also available since Tahiti is, in fact, open for lunch Monday through Friday. Call DiLembo at (323) 651-1213 to plan your event.

A Dinner for the Chairman: Matteo’s Restaurant in Westwood, a favorite haunt of the late Frank Sinatra, is throwing a tribute on his birthday, Dec. 12. The black-tie event, loaded with digital memories (music, video retrospective, free CDs) is centered around food and booze Ol’ Blue Eyes loved. A portion of the $200 price tag benefits the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center in Palm Springs. The evening begins at 7:30 p.m. Reservations required.

* Matteo’s, 2321 Westwood Blvd., L.A.; (310) 475-4521.