I was starting to lose faith in finding authentic tasting Indian food in Chicago. However, after one positive experience with one order from this restaurant, my whole perception has changed forever. The only thing I regret is not taking pictures before it was devoured!
To be honest, I did not know how to start this review, because I truly have no words to describe how well my experience was. From the timing of the delivery to the consistency in all of the dishes, there is no way that any other restaurant in Chicago can beat this. We ordered Palak Paneer, Garlic Naan, 2 Samosas, and Chicken Biryani. Before even taking a bite into my food, I must say the aroma that filled the room was heavenly. I was enjoying the fresh aromas of Indian food right in my very own house.... talk about IMPRESSIVE! That is when I knew this would be different than all the other experiences.
I have been on the hunt for AUTHENTIC Palak Paneer ever since a friend from Bombay cooked it for me a while back. Over 7 Indian restaurants have failed to bring out the authentic flavors along with the right spice level, and creaminess that the original Palak Paneer had the first time I tried it. However, Himalayan did not fail to impress me and actually restore my faith. The ONLY thing that could be improved is that there could be more Paneer in the dish. Although the Paneer tasted fresh and delicious, there was not much of it in the dish. I wish there was more because it was sooooooooo freaking good!
I do NOT understand why people are complaining about the quantity when this is the BEST QUALITY in town. Honestly, the pricing is fair because you're paying for quality food. There are other restaurants that serve HUGE portions for cheap but the dishes taste horrible and far from authentic.
One dish of Palak Paneer was more than enough to satisfy 2 people's palate. I am not quite sure about other consumers eating habits or portion preferences.
Let's not forget that their Palak Paneer tasted PERFECT with their freshly cooked Garlic Naan...YUM YUM YUM!!! Naan was soooooooo soft and delicious, and did not have that frozen artificial taste. I also loved that it was not overly greasy nor plain..... it was garlic flavored and couldn't have tasted better with their very own Palak Paneer. Usually Naan at other restaurants is so stiff and hard to pull apart. However, this ripped off so easily and miraculously....SOFT, FRESH, WARM, AND REAL NAAN....IN CHICAGO!!!!!! This should be saved as a record.
The Samosa's cones were delicately crispy on the outside, while stuffed with love on the inside. Each bite was dipped in a pool of OUTSTANDING AND HOMEMADE TASTING Mint Chutney (Green) and Tamarind Chutney (Red) ........ made me feel like I was literally in India.
NOW MY ULTIMATE FAVORITE PART.......CHICKEN BIRYANI! This was by far the best Chicken Biryani I have EVER had. The rice was cooked with so much flavor and love ......you can literally taste freshly made spices in every bite. I also loved the onions and tomatoes implemented to the dish to add that extra flavor. The chicken was not overly cooked and not underly cooked...it tasted extremely fresh and full of flavor. I love that it was not dry or tasteless....it was PERFECT! I love how this Biryani was unique and not the typical Biryani I would get at other restaurants. If you like your food spicy, then you can't go wrong requesting this dish "hot." I personally did not see a need for Raita with it, but I am not sure if everyone else would have been able to handle it without Raita (Yogurt sauce). One recommendation is that it might be a good idea to serve Raita with the Biryani, because it might be too spicy for others to handle....simultaneously Biryani does go quite well with Raita.
Although the Raita was missing, the love was not. Overall, this was by far the BEST experience I have ever had with Indian food in Chicago. I hope that everyone shares the experience that I had. I really hope to see this restaurant thrive in the Indian food market in Chicago, because it truly deserves to be at the TOP. I have a really strong feeling they have the ability to grow beyond Chicago and take their restaurant to the next level. read more