Rick K.
Yelp
This is an updated review for "Love's Yummy Cuisine", while my previous reviews were for "Royal Indian". Within the last month or so the owner has changed. I was devastated to first learn this, but was happy with our meal on 12/12. I have a note for Paul and Anu, the previous owners, at the end of this "Love's" review.
My wife and I decided to try Love's after learning about the ownership change, but before reading Yelp reviews--thankfully--because it is unlikely I would have wanted to try the new place after reading the few reviews available. We sat down and were given water as we explored the new menu. The water we were given tasted very bad...like dish water. I only had a couple sips, then just ordered some cans of Dr. Pepper for my wife and I. I looked online and saw the few reviews that were available, which did not make the new place sound good at all. I was very worried at this point...our favorite Indian place was gone, now this place had bad water and very unpromising reviews. Nevertheless, we stayed and ordered. We tried the garlic naan, butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, chicken tikka kabob, and the aloo tikki chat. I do not have a ton of Indian food experience, so consider that reading my review, but I will do my best to compare elements of the meal to that of "Royal Indian's" dishes.
I enjoyed Love's garlic naan slightly more than Royal's. It was very good.
I enjoyed Love's green chutney significantly more than Royal's mint cilantro chutney. It was so good with the chicken tikka kabob.
I enjoyed Love's rice slightly more than Royal's.
I enjoyed Love's chicken tikka masala slightly more than Royal's lamb tikka masala...I thought it was very good.
Love's butter chicken was not nearly as good as Royal's butter chicken. It was actually sub-par from my experience at other Indian restaurants...it was a bit disappointing. Too much tomato, I'm guessing? And definitely not as smooth as I'm used to.
Overall, I was very satisfied with our meal, and was pleasantly surprised, especially after drinking the water and reading the recent reviews. I would have given 3.5 stars, if that was an option, but went ahead and rounded up because the owner is still new, and the staff seemed very friendly. I will return at some point given it is in the neighborhood and was very tasty, for the most part.
Now, for Paul and Anu, the previous owners. I hope you both see this. Thank you so much for the wonderful food and hospitality the last 2+ years. My wife and I dined there many times, but not nearly enough. Thank you for educating us on your delicious cuisine. Before dining at your restaurant, I had only tried Indian food once, and I did not like it. My wife convinced me to try Indian food again, and I found your restaurant, and fell in love. You set a high standard for Indian cuisine, for me. I hope wherever you both are, you are thriving and doing very well. Thank you!