Ashley A.
Yelp
I really wanted to like this place and add it to my weekly rotation, but unfortunately, it's a one-off for me and I'm being generous with my stars because I can see the manager really cares and I like the fusion concept.
Service: I walked in and was greeted with, "are you picking up a to-go order?" I suggested I'd like to sit down and was the only there around 12 noon. The waiter seemed kind of put out, like he was hoping I was only picking up, so he could presumably? Do more important things? A couple walked in not long after and he seemed equally kind of disinterested when they asked for some type of "Indian" cocktail as opposed to regular beer. He was otherwise very punctual and courteous, but I left with a cold vibe and don't plan to return.
Atmosphere: I found it drab and dark. I was also one of only two there, so that may have contributed. I also lived in Dubai, UAE and Doha, Qatar for 10 years and am used to presentation, often in costume, and incredible atmosphere and 5 star Indian food. Dubai is 50% Indian first and only 20% Arab, so I think I have a good pulse on what quality Indian food should taste like.
Food: I had vegetable samosas and millionaire's curry. The texture of the samosas and filling elevated this review to 4 stars. They are a little like empanadas and perfect in every way. Really my favorite samosas in Austin. But, I had trouble finishing them because I hated the sauces. And that is just not normal. Imagine you go to a Mexican restaurant and you can't finish your queso. Unheard of? Queso is hard to screw up. Well, unfortunately, it's a bad sign when I can't finish my appetizer. The purple sauce pictured can only be described as kind of a play on baby Gerber food prunes, only not as good. I don't know about you, but babies are adorable, but I'm in my 30's and wasn't planning on dipping my samosas in baby food. Someone called it applesauce in another review. It's more like prunes. The green coconut sauce is more liquid than water and was completely inedible with almost no taste. I wanted to like the millionaire curry. Be forewarned, it's extremely light and boring. The rice is incredibly plain with zero seasoning and the curry is like liquid soup. It's like someone threw jalapeños and tomato paste in a food processor. It's more than puréed. There's very little to it. It comes across more like salsa with rice and a few cubes of chicken thrown in. I think the chicken would work better if it was chicken thighs. It came across like dry chicken breast, but that's being generous because this reads more like gristle. I think the taste is pretty good, with some adjustments mentioned above needed like thickening the sauce, albeit a tad too spicy even in it's mildest form. I also had naan that tastes more like reheated pita bread. Everything feels kind of not so fresh, like there's a real Sysco vibe to the food here.
Pricing: it honestly made me really angry. I paid $39 with a $10 tip (I got the feeling my server wasn't impressed with 37% and I want to let him know I wasn't impressed with him or the food) for what I've listed and left hungry. I understand times are tough, but I can get a fast, pretty stellar, stick to your ribs, fresher, Tarka Daal and Vegetable Samosas at Tarka Kitchen for $15.70.
Bottom Line: I'm still looking for good Indian food, but will stick to the thoughtful service and more authentic food at Saffron Far West and Sangham Chettinad on Parmer. I'd honestly rather visit Masala Wok and Tarka Kitchen when I'm in the mood for something faster, than return here.