P S.
Yelp
On Friday, October 31 of 2025, I went to an Indian restaurant called Rutba. On the second floor of the Pacific Asian Plaza on Spring Mountain Road, it sits to the right with a pristine grass wall and overhead string lights. Upon entering the clean establishment, I was immediately greeted by a friendly young woman. She asked for the number of expected seats to be arranged, seated my accompanied guest and I, and served us a large glass jug of water coupled with some glass cups. A song playing in the overhead was "Tere Mere Pyar nu Nazar lag jave na" by Roopan beats.
One of the items I ordered usually is served with naan, and they were concerned about the potential for negative bias if served without. I appreciated the efforts in communicating with the staff and let them know that due to dietary restrictions set by my doctor, I couldn't eat rice, noodles, or bread. I understood their position, and they respected my choices. They were very attentive. And usually, in many restaurants I go to, a waiter/ waitress serves the food. It was interesting to see the chef also approach and serve them. A song called "Mar Jawaan" by Shruti Pathak & Salim Merchant began playing.
The contrast between the furnishing and the interior design was eye-catching, something of a modern yet subtle retro aesthetic. There were plenty of seats available, and the atmosphere of the ambiance was very relaxing. Every table already had a dining setup, including cloth napkins and metal forks, spoons, and knives. The temperature was not too chilly inside, and I noticed they had both yellow and white lighting. There was enough lighting to see the food clearly, and each dish had a nice presentation. In between each dish, I ensured to rinse my palette and drink water in between each dish.
For the appetizer, I ordered a Gobi Manchurian ($14), which were cauliflower florets golden fried and sauteed with light ginger, garlic, onions, and bell peppers in their special Indo-Chinese sauce. It had a sweet, citrusy aroma with floral undertones, and had a familiar appearance that resembled orange chicken. It tasted fresh, crisp, and had a pleasant "kick" of medium spice level. The vegetables were not too soft. I started hearing "Dheere Dheere" by Yo Yo Honey Singh playing in the restaurant.
For the Entrée, I ordered a Paneer Bhurji ($17), which were crumbled homemade cheese cooked with ginger-garlic paste, onions, tomatoes, and mild spices. The taste and smell were earthy and toasted. Similar to the gobi Manchurian, this dish was also flavorful and had a kick. Usually, I'm not a fan of peas. But for this dish, I enjoyed them. This was the dish that concerned not having eaten with naan, as they explained the dish may be dry. However, I enjoyed it just fine without it. The texture was similar to scrambled eggs or cottage cheese. The consistency was very balanced. Another song that played in the restaurant was "Beliya" by Gurnam Bhullar.
For the side, I ordered a house salad ($6), which included leafy greens, tomatoes, red onions and cucumbers. Everything was neatly arranged and complimented with all of the dishes. I noticed it was lightly seasoned.
At the end of my meal, I ordered chai ($5), and aromatic spiced tea, brewed with the highest-grade blend of tea leaves and milk. I typically tend to enjoy bitter-sweet palettes, nothing too sweet, tart, or sugary. This drink for me was enjoyable without the addition of sugar. Robust, reminiscent of a black-tea base, subtly spiced. It reminded me of silk-stocking tea. At this point, "Let Me Down Slowly" by Alec Benjamin was playing from the overhead.
With the chai, I ordered for dessert Gulab Jamun, a milk-based dumpling soaked in aromatic sweet syrup. The sweetness of this dessert complimented the natural flavors of the chai.
For two people, we were satisfied with the portions served. Good food, service, and ambiance :) Since we enjoyed dining here, I returned for a second visit to try more of their dishes. Details of my second visit will be included in a separate review. Before departure, the restaurant was playing "Baarish" by Ash King & Shashaa Tirupati.
