Was this the greatest Indian meal ever? Absolutely not. Was it decent? Let's call it a…read moreparticipation trophy.
As a solo diner, I was promptly seated, which was a great start. The restaurant was more than half empty, so I figured I'd be in and out like you expect at a downtown restaurant when you're dining alone.
Well, that was wishful thinking.
The service was slow as hell. It took forever for the shrimp to arrive, and then, when I was ready to leave, the check apparently needed to complete a spiritual journey before reaching my table. Empty tables everywhere, but somehow time stood still.
I ordered the tandoori shrimp, which came with rice and tikka masala sauce, along with a mango lassi. Dinner sorted, right?
Well, sort of. $25 for five pieces of shrimp felt like I had personally sponsored the shrimp's retirement fund. And the tikka masala sauce? So bland, I'm pretty sure the spices were still waiting for their flight to arrive.
Naturally, I needed more protein, so I ordered the tandoori chicken. It was, once again, pretty mid. I asked for medium spice and received a level of heat that made me question my life choices. Medium should not feel like a personal attack on your taste buds. The chicken also had burnt edges, adding a little charcoal garnish to the experience.
And here's the real kicker: despite serving chicken spicy enough to make me see my ancestors, my water glass was never refilled. Not once. Apparently, hydration was an optional upgrade.
I skipped the rice and tikka masala gravy with the chicken because, honestly, I had already given that relationship a chance.
By the end, I had spent around $50 before tip for a very mediocre dinner. That's not a meal. That's a small financial setback with a mango lassi.
The location is convenient, though. I was staying at the Waterfront Hotel, and it was just a short walk away, which was probably the highlight of the evening.
And to the restaurant: folks, please do better. Winning awards and putting up posters is great, but a wall full of trophies doesn't automatically make the food top of the line. The food has to do some of the heavy lifting too.
This meal was pretty far from top of the line. And if you're looking for a quick, reasonably priced downtown dinner, be prepared to bring some patience, your own water bottle, and possibly a fire extinguisher. You might finish your meal before the check even begins its journey.