Rena E.
Yelp
I had never experienced this type of food, so I really wanted to try it in a dine-in setting. Additionally, I wanted to try it because I have heard such good things about the flavors. My daughter was actually the one who found it, so she thought it would be a good opportunity for food, ambiance and photos. She had already experienced the food at restaurants in DC and MD, so she was looking forward to this meal in a different setting as well.
The reservations were set for early evening to allow time for pictures before any crowds might arrive. We arrived on time and was greeted by the host, who asked if we wanted a table or booth seating. We opted for booth seating and we were quite pleased with the location because it allowed for pictures without imposing on the one group of four that was already having dinner at a nearby table.
The ambiance was nice. The decor was befitting the setting, the lighting was good and the music was at a moderate level, which was conducive to conversation. The table settings were attractive. Unlike many restaurants, the utensils were gold, which added an elegant touch. Everything flowed nicely in terms of ambiance.
Shortly after being seated, the host or the waiter brought some bottled water to the table. He took our order, which began with two orders of garlic naan because one order consisted of two pieces. We wanted to ensure that we had enough for the starter, as well as some to enjoy with our meal. We also ordered the Honey Crispy Mushrooms.
The garlic naan arrived smelling like freshly prepared brick oven pizza. The smell was amazing. The taste of the naan was on par with others that I have had from the grocery store, yet much fresher. The Honey Crispy Mushrooms, though small in portion were very good flavorwise, as well as presentation.
The flavors were outstanding. The mushrooms had a flavorful sauce that included chili peppers. Initially, I began coughing from the extreme spiciness of the peppers. The mushrooms were a little overcooked; however, the overall flavor made up for it.
We also ordered two Lychee and Rose Petal Martinis sans alcohol. The drink made for a nice picture, which was the objective. It was not much on flavor, but the presentation was impeccable and was definitely giving craft cocktail vibes. I did, however, enjoy the rose petals that incorporated into every sip.
Again, because this was my first Indian food experience, I had to thoroughly peruse the menu for some vegetarian options. They did not have many dishes with fish or shrimp, so I went with a complete vegetarian selection. I ordered the Khubani Ku Kofta, which consisted of apricot and cottage cheese croquettes in a saffron gravy. There was one other option that I considered, but narrowed it down to the selected option after speaking with the host, who provided greater detail about the two dishes.
I have to admit that on paper, the ingredients did not wow me, but I was willing to try it. However, when the entree arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. The presentation and aroma of the dish immediately captivated my senses. The dish was served with a side of Basmati rice. My daughter had the Alleppey Fish Curry, which was seared sea bass in a raw mango and coconut curry sauce. Both dishes had a beautiful presentation and were so aromatic.
Presentation and fragrance aside, the taste was amazing. The croquettes exceeded my expectations because they tasted nothing like what I imagined, which was cottage cheese mixed with apricot. The closest thing that I could compare the croquette flavor to would be herb stuffing and the croquettes with the gravy was just WOW. The rice was perfectly cooked with the right texture and no grains of undercooked or overcooked rice. I sampled a little of the Alleppey Fish Curry and that was delicious as well.
This is where the experience changes a little, so I saved it for last. Leading up to and throughout most of the meal, there were no complaints about the service. The service was never over-the-top, but we had everything that we needed, when needed. The male staff members were relatively cordial, but the female was glaringly rude. She never said anything and, she never made eye contact. When she came to our table twice maybe three times, she had a rudeness about her that was heavy.
Through observation, she was very interactive with other patrons that she encountered, but her energy with us was very unfriendly and unwelcoming. It took a few days of internal deliberation to best approach this portion of the review to determine if and how it should be presented. This is the most benign way to address the inconsistent service that lacked hospitality for all patrons. This is my dining experience, so it needed to be said.
Though the dining experience was enjoyable, I am not interested in visitng this restaurant again.
