(I'm currently visiting an old friend of mine in the VA, and this is one of the places he took me to.)
Unlike the past restaurants for this series, this one was completely new for all of us, so I will make sure to note their opinions as well!
I waited a day to write this review because I wanted to settle the internal and external debates regarding this restaurant before I set out for my final conclusion (and because I fell asleep, forgot about the review, and only remembered just as I was about to fall asleep on the bus).
Before we get to the controversy, here are the facts:
1. We ordered the garlic naan, french fry chaat, chicken tikka masala, and chicken tikka pizza.
2. The food came out a bit after we arrived, but I think we got there early, so I'll say that it came out on time (we ordered pick-up)
3. The portions were great for the price - that's just how it was.
Now HERE is where the controversy begins:
1. We ordered the curry as HOT, yet there was almost no sense of spice. I don't know if it was an error in the order, if our tongues were just impenetrable that day, or if the peppers were past their prime; regardless, that is how it was, and we were all a bit confused.
2. The food lacked an Indian taste. Yes, it's somewhat of an American fusion; yes, it's catering to a broader audience; however, it seemed a bit too far on the bland side (NOT bland in TASTE - I, personally, enjoyed the food very much - but I'll get to those specifics later).
As stated before, I didn't mind #2, but if people are looking for a more authentic Indian cuisine, I would say treat this restaurant as a fusion, not as an Indian restaurant. My friends were a bit more heated regarding this point, but they're not writing the review and I'm reflecting my own enjoyment, so too bad for them.
To get into the specifics of the dishes ordered:
The garlic naan - I thought it was fine, but my friends said, "It's not garlic naan; it's naan with garlic on top." Again, I thought it was fine.
The french fry chaat - everyone seemed to enjoy this dish! It was a bit sour, but that's to be expected from the tart yogurt. The chickpeas were so good: crunchy and flavorful.
The chicken tikka masala - very creamy, and paired well with the rice. I just really, really, really wish it had been spicy. However, my friends and I agreed that it could have tasted more "Indian".
The chicken tikka pizza - probably my favorite since I love pizza. However, my friends said that "it tastes no different from other pizzas; you'd have to try REALLY hard to notice that there's something different about it." I agree with them here as well: I wouldn't have minded a stronger Indian flair. Plus, the crust pairs really well with the chicken tikka masala, so that was a plus for me.
Overall, treat this restaurant as an Indian-American fusion and you'll be fine. I enjoyed the food, so I'd recommend others to give it a try! read more