Upon arrival we were courteously received and invited to choose our own seating. We settled into a…read morecomfortable, well-kept booth. The dining room itself is largely tidy, though the walls show the occasional chip in the paint--an imperfect but far from distracting detail beside an otherwise pleasant table.
Water arrived in a crystal carafe, poured into copper chalices: a thoughtful and attractive touch. Menus followed. As first-time visitors we would have welcomed photographic guidance; the absence of images left us momentarily at sea. Once we confessed our unfamiliarity, however, our server proved exemplary--patiently translating the offerings and clarifying the distinctions among dishes. That guidance was invaluable.
The drink list itself is less successful. The type is small and faded, rendering it difficult to decipher. It offers the expected spectrum--signature cocktails, standard spirits, a handful of traditional Indian preparations, and the usual non-alcoholic options of Pepsi products and tea. We ordered a yogurt-based Indian beverage that proved, for our palates at least, thoroughly off-putting; we could not finish it. My unsweetened tea fared little better: thin, faintly skunky, and lacking the depth of a proper brew. One could see through the liquid in the glass--hardly the robust, dark infusion one hopes for.
The shared starter, Shrimp 65, delivered more consistently. The shrimp were of respectable size and carried a lively, well-integrated spice mixture that flattered rather than obscured their natural flavor. A faint aftertaste of tired oil lingered once the initial spice bloom faded, yet the accompanying green chutney more than compensated. Complex, earthy, and intriguing, it played beautifully against the seasoned shrimp. Presentation was classically restrained: a simple bed of slaw and fresh herbs providing color and contrast without pretension.
The Andhra Curry arrived next and proved the evening's most compelling discovery. Ordered on impulse for its promised heat, the dish revealed a far more nuanced character: layered spices that refuse to be isolated, a gentle creeping warmth rather than aggressive fire, and tender, moist chicken that retained its own flavor. Served with well-cooked rice, it is a plate I would order again without hesitation.
Chicken Tikka Masala, by contrast, is the safer classic--and executed with quiet confidence. A rich, velvety sauce of genuine complexity cloaked generous pieces of chicken. Ordered mild, it carried little heat yet lost nothing in depth. Paired again with excellent rice, it remains an ideal introduction for the hesitant diner and another dish I would gladly revisit.
Among the breads, the butter naan stood out: lightly crusted yet airy within, sturdy enough to scoop curry yet fragrant enough to enjoy alone. The subtle buttery finish elevates it further. The poori (or bhatura) offered a different pleasure--light, puffed, and faintly reminiscent of an unsweetened funnel cake. Its airy structure absorbs sauce beautifully while remaining crisp. The aloo paratha, stuffed with potato, proved denser and more ponderous. The texture is exactly as advertised, yet among the three it felt least complementary to the evening's selections and is the one I would be least inclined to reorder.
In sum, the kitchen's strengths--particularly in the curries and the more successful breads--outweigh the occasional missteps in beverage and minor kitchen details. For a first encounter with the cuisine, the experience was both instructive and, in its best moments, genuinely rewarding.