Ordered takeout via DoorDash. The staff was very accommodating of my Cilantro intolerance, calling…read moreseveral times to ensure that I was OK to consume dishes with Coriander powder. The Samosa Chaat appetizer was very flavorful and the perfect amount for two. The Garlic Naan also had good flavor, but could've been packaged differently so as to prevent it from getting soggy. The 2 lamb curry dishes were both excellent. We ordered Rogan Josh and the Lamb Korma. As with the lamb which was very tender, both curries were perfectly cooked and had the perfect balance of flavor, spice, and texture. Both curries came with basmati rice, which was just right.

This tiny restaurant has plenty of comfy seating and a warm, inviting ambiance. We stopped in for a…read morelate lunch since we needed to be at church by five for my sister's memorial service. Although we were the only diners at the time, the phone rang nonstop with takeout orders--a clear sign of how popular this place is. The food was absolutely magnificent, and I'm so glad we chose this spot. I started with the butternut squash soup, which was divine. They give you a full bowl, and it was so satisfying I almost didn't need a main course. My sister had the lentil soup, which was equally delicious, with a bright, lemony flavor that really stood out. My aunt ordered the chicken samosas and loved them. Watching my Aunt Daisy enjoy Indian food was honestly hilarious--this is a woman who usually sticks to rice, beans, and steak, yet she couldn't stop talking about how much she loved it. For my entrée, I had the butter chicken: incredibly tender, with a creamy yet light sauce--absolutely delicious. My aunt and sister both had the shrimp tikka, which was a total triumph. My cousin Mercy ordered the chicken tikka and loved hers just as much. Our waiter was incredibly sweet, helpful, and patient, explaining the dishes and even taking a photo for us. We'll definitely be back when we have more time and don't have to rush out. This place is a gem.

Very good quality food and it's a BYOB…read more We go on a weekly basis Also staff is very knowledgeable

I ordered takeout, and this is my first time trying this place. The service was nice and…read moreefficient. The food was packed very nicely. I tried: - Tofu Salli (4 out of 10): the tofu has a medium firm cheese like consistency, coated lightly in a tomato sauce. The consistency threw me off a little bit. It's not bad, but it's not flavorful. - Lassuni Gobhi (5 out if 10): I was really excited about this one, but the cauliflower had too much breading. The sauce was tasty. - Aloo Gobhi Mutter (9 out 10): the portion was huge, and very tasty. It's a little too salty, but pairs great with the rice. - Chicken Murgh Madras Curry (3 out of 10): The sauce was too salty (I added some more coconut milk at home). The chicken pieces were really dry and tough. - Plain Naan (10 out of 10): delicious and well made Unfortunately, for the price, I'm not sure I would try this place again.

I remember going to this restaurant for a lunch buffet many moons ago. I was so glad that we…read moredecided to go in while looking for a brunch place in the hood. Great decision made!! Restaurant was quiet on a beautiful Saturday. Everything was so flavorful from samosas and garlic naan to butter chicken and chicken masala that came with rice. Mango lassi was good too. Prices were very reasonable. Would definitely come back again! Free parking across the street by Whole Foods.

They've changed their name to 7 Sis 1 Bro and it's incredible. Nice changes to the menu and a huge…read moredifference in quality. Definitely plan on ordering again soon !

Got take out biryani's Chiken ($17.95) and Vegetarian ($16.95) and also got an appetizer, Lasuni…read moreGobi ($10) which were all good. We did get food on the spicer side and so were they! Nice and spicy. Biryani portions were large enough for us to enjoy them over two days. The restaurant seating was good too, and staff was friendly when I went there for pickup. Noise levels on the absolute lower end! Will recommend and visit again if we are in the area!

If you are apprehensive about trying or eating Indian food again as I personally know, a lot of…read morepeople had a bad experience with it. You will forever be changed. If you dine at Rudra the food is excellent. It will make you a lover of Indian food. Just try it once you will not be disappointed the shrimp and crab is excellent especially the grilled paneer with the onions and pepper. (Indian cheese) Excellent ! shrimp and salmon and veg dishes are cooked to perfection . I could go on and on give it a try and taste for yourself ! I forgot to mention the garlic naan! Made fresh on the spot. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate and yet family friendly at the same time . It is a BYOB establishment to let you know ahead of time .

Stopped in for lunch and had a truly excellent experience from beginning to end. The service was…read morefriendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming--one of those meals where everything just clicks. The Spinach Soup was a great opener--smooth, well-seasoned, and full of bright, comforting flavor. Shrimp Balchao was the highlight. Sautéed with ginger, garlic, and tamarind, it delivered a perfect mix of heat, tang, and richness. Bold, aromatic, and deeply satisfying. The Garlic Naan came out fresh from the tandoor--soft, lightly charred, and packed with garlic. Ideal for soaking up all the sauces. Mutter Paneer, with tender paneer and green peas in a spiced masala, was creamy and fragrant without feeling too heavy. A classic dish executed really well. Nani's Chicken Curry featured tender chicken simmered in a flavorful blend of spices and onions, with rich, layered flavors that built with each bite. Final Take: A standout lunch with great service and thoughtfully prepared dishes. Everything tasted fresh, balanced, and full of flavor. Definitely a spot I'll return to.

Ordered takeout. Was disappointed that unlike other Indian places --they did not separate the hot…read moreand cold ingredients for one of their chaats. Everything was soggy by the time we got home. Didn't ask them to separate as I assumed that is the norm for all the places I normally order delivery or take out from.

Now: Pawan. Our server was the real deal. Warm without being performative, attentive without…read morehovering, and his menu recommendations were genuinely perfect. But here's the moment that sealed it: we'd had a long morning and asked, somewhat sheepishly, if they could make us chai, which isn't even on the menu. Without missing a beat, they made it. Hot, proper chai, just because we needed it. That's not service. That's hospitality. He made a full, buzzing restaurant feel intimate and that's rare. Essence of Kesar is the kind of place Englewood should be very proud of. Go. Ask for Pawan.

I really wanted to love Essence of Kesar because the food was genuinely very good. The paneer…read moredishes were excellent, the paneer bao buns were a standout, and the chaat was also really well done -- flavorful and creative without losing the essence of the dish. Unfortunately, the service significantly took away from the experience. We made a reservation ahead of time and even called to let them know we'd be about 15 minutes late, yet when we arrived, we were told our reservation had been given away. That was frustrating and set a poor tone for the evening. The restaurant also seemed very understaffed the night we went. Service felt disorganized, and there was a long wait for our food after we were finally seated. It was clear the staff was overwhelmed. The food is absolutely the reason this isn't a lower rating, because there's real potential here. But between giving away reservations and the slow, disorganized service, the overall experience fell short. Hoping this was just an off night because the food deserves better execution.

My husband and I have been on a hunt for a local, dependable Indian spot, and I think we may have…read morefound our winner. Insofar as the roti resembled the buttery, flaky layers of a white roti, this was a pleasant order. The roti here are made with whole wheat, which made for a grittier texture that felt...healthy, for all the good and bad of that word. But they were sufficiently buttery, which always helps things. And minor quibbles aside, this was still a fantastic vessel to scoop out every last smear of the tikka masala sauce. Clearly, we liked the chicken tikka masala. With a fragrant, velvety sauce and large chunks of tender chicken, after a few bites of this dish, I found myself announcing to the table, "I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't like Indian food." The chana masala - our other entree - was a little more muted and tomato-forward, but still fantastic. It feels strange to leave praise for rice, but judging from the sheen at the bottom of our rice dish, I suspect they melted and mixed some butter to it (which, again, no complaints here). Service was chill on a Sunday afternoon. Beyond taking our order and dropping off our food, we weren't bothered during our meal (which is the just-right level of attention I generally want from a place). The space is a little run-down but homey, and there's only street parking, but I've never had trouble finding spots here.

Service was a bit awkward, not sure why. Food was expensive, Chicken Tikka Masala was tasty, and…read moregood portion size, but expensive at $20 and there was no lunch specials. Naan is extra at $4-5 a piece too. Not coming back.

Baingan bharta (eggplant curry) is really good. Flavor is spot on, and it's a good portion as well…read more Malai kofta is decent. The actual kofta balls are pretty flavorful, but the sauce is quite sweet and a little bland. Overall a good experience and would order from here again.

My partner and I ordered the chicken makhni, the chicken Karahi, and garlic naan for pickup. I had…read moreread other reviews about service but wasn't too scared off... though I should have listened to them. When we arrived at our pickup time, we were asked our name by a harried looking employee who was dealing with about 8 delivery drivers. When she addressed us, I told her we had ordered online and she said "Which one? We have about 8 websites" which I thought a bit brusque. We then sat there for about 15 minutes, watching delivery drivers wait, get tired of waiting, then go into the kitchen to look for their pickup bag. Finally, I looked on the counter piled with takeout bags, where, lo and behold, our food had been waiting the whole time. The mahkni was overly sweet and pretty one note, and seemed as though it was made from frozen grilled chicken strips. The Karahi was good and more tender. Unfortunately not worth it- there are other, better Indian restaurants nearby that I'll go to next time.

Took a chance and ordered on Grubhub, Chicken Tikka Biryani, (as listed on Grubhub). BEST biryani…read moreI've ever had! That's saying something. So much flavor! Chicken was so good, cut perfectly, not dry at all but not sticky either 10/10! Vegetable samosas are so good, the dough was made perfectly. The 2 sauces on the side are just as great with it. Food was so good I ordered again, Goat curry with rice. This wasn't my favorite, it wasn't bad but not my favorite. I happened to walk by this place, I almost missed it! It's a little nook within a building with other businesses inside. The guy working the front also cooked the food, fresh too! I'll always wait for fresh food, very nice man, very nice place. I will be back.

My new go‑to spot. I "discovered" it walking home from the gym, the smell from the street literally…read morepulled me in. Since then, I've been here twice in two days, lol. Hands down the best Lamb Biryani I've ever had. The chicken samosas and Achaari are amazing too. The staff were very friendly.

service- 5/5 attentive and super friendly staff Food- 5/5…read moreboth dishes, lunch Maru don set and hand roll set were phenomenal! The portion was great and the side dishes complimented the main dish so well. All the ingredients tasted super fresh, and they highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients so well. There was a nice variety of flavors and textures that really made this place stand out. ambiance- 5/5 sooo lovely and calm interior! The location of the restaurant maximizes the natural sunlight which makes the interior feel warm and inviting. This has been my favorite meal of the year so far. I'd definitely recommend this place!

Came here on a Friday night around 7:30ish. When I entered, the place was fully booked with…read morereservations but was able to get seats at the bar upstairs after a few minutes. I've been to this location when it was a Korean restaurant and had similar rustic vibes. Ended up getting the Donkatsu which comes with salad, rice and sauce. It was a solid meal, not out of this world but really good. My friend got an assorted hand rolls which looked esthetically nice. They have an extensive menu and I want to their noodles next time. Overall had a good experience. * Good service * Recommend making reservations * Meter parking