After all the talk about preferred Indian resaurants, my S.O. and I decided to check out Taste of India on Penn, since several people placed it near the top of their lists. I'm afraid that Taste of India just didn't measure up to the many positive comments we've heard: We started with some vegatable samosas, which were good. As entrees, I had the Thali (vegetarian sampler platter with small portions of 3 main dishes, plus raita, dessert, bread, and rice) and my S.O. had chicken korma (can't remember the exact name). While the chicken was very tender, and all of the main dishes were competently prepared, nothing was outstanding. (I would offer individual comments on the entrees, but it's very difficult to remember what items exactly were in the vegetarian platter.) I will say that if you say you like your food "fairly mild," they take the mild part quite seriously; some of the entrees were even on the bland side, unusual even for "mild" Indian food, in my experience. What was outstanding, so to speak, was the slow and inconsistent service. My S.O. ordered iced tea at the outset, and while he asked for it twice, it never appeared (it _was_ scratched off our bill at least). We also ran out of water several times during the first half of our meal. The main dishes were very slow in coming, as was the bill, once we had finished. In addition, there does not seem to be any attempt at division between smoking and non-smoking, and there were quite a few people smoking on friday night. Has anyone else had problems with the service at Taste of India? Any one else find the food uninspired? We are fans of Sree's and the now-defunct Taj Mahal and its still-running lunch truck, and we'd love to find a good place for Indian dinners in the East End. I have been to India Garden on Atwood and found the food fine (again, competent but not exciting), and the service there was better than at Taste of India. And I agree the Star of India of Craig, while having a nice atmosphere and good service, is overpriced and uninspired. Any other places we should try for Indian food? Jen
Pittsburgh, PA
Taste of India, etc.
Excerpts from netnews.pgh.food: 8-Apr-96 Taste of India, etc. by J. [email removed] > I will say that if you say you like your food > "fairly mild," they take the mild part quite seriously; some of the > entrees were even on the bland side, unusual even for "mild" Indian > food, in my experience. Well, yeah, I think they are careful to listen. I ordered "uh, pretty hot" last friday, and I got it! all right. I also made up my own dish, and asked for no cream, and I got something wonderful, I must say. Look at the inside cover of the menu. "Many people think Indian food is hot. Well, it is NOT hot. But it is spicy and flavorful...etc." I think their food, maybe not outstanding, represents a good mix of value and home-style cooking. I like the usual dishes, and the veggie dishes too. Like okra and Baigan Bharta (roasted eggplant) > What was outstanding, so to speak, was the slow and inconsistent > service. My S.O. ordered iced tea at the outset, and while he asked for > it twice, it never appeared (it _was_ scratched off our bill at least). > We also ran out of water several times during the first half of our > meal. The main dishes were very slow in coming, as was the bill, once > we had finished. In addition, there does not seem to be any attempt at > division between smoking and non-smoking It's a little weird, granted. I was dining alone, and I got my dish in about 10 minutes, almost right after I finished my bread-crisp and pickle appetizers. Other people, mostly couples, seemed to have to wait forever. I was finishing up my meal when others, who had arrived earlier than me, were just getting theirs. Maybe it's harder to schedule two dishes at once for them. The big parties didn't seem to have much a wait either. ??? But, for myself, I was very pleased with my service, which seemed better than other tables, for some reason. (Hey, hey, I'm not Indian, either.) The woman who usually attends to tables seems ok enough at serving, the friendly enough man, who usually is at CMU's cart, was very agreeable at taking my special order. And no, there is no real smoking section. Just no pipes or cigars, please. Oh well. Excerpts from netnews.pgh.food: 8-Apr-96 Taste of India, etc. by J. [email removed] > We are fans of Sree's and the > now-defunct Taj Mahal and its still-running lunch truck, and we'd love > to find a good place for Indian dinners in the East End. Well, you do have good taste. As far as Indian in the ole East End, maybe try them again some night. I still think it's a decent place, the best in this part of town. I hate to say it, (right.) but getting great service in Pittsburgh is something of an art. Usually, the more time spent with the server initially during the order, the better service I get. (Unless he or she is particularly bitchy, but that's only the case in chains, egads.) Most servers respond positively to whatever details and specifics you want, and it keeps you foremost in their head as they zip around. In ethnic restaraunts, don't be shy about asking questions. If you want to know something, usually, they like answering and sometimes go out of their way to make you happy. Make sure he or she writes it down though, when you finally order. If they remember you from last time, that's a good sign things could go well. Finally, asking for a suggestion without soliciting information first off is annoying and demonstrates ignorance, so don't do it. Unless you want to eat some bland house dish usually reserved for those types and never want your water refilled. And that's simply how to dine out regional/ethnic style in the 'Burgh, folks. Anyone have any other tips to add?
I also tried a Taste of India last week, following the many
hearty recommendations the place received in the Indian food poll that
went on here at Pittsburgh Food this month.
And, I am happy to report, I was pleased. Things started off
with a bang -- their bread-crisp or whatever you call it was pretty hot.
I was surprised and a little worried that my entree was going to blow
my head off. I usually order a 7 or 8 on those ridiculous scales, and I
wasn't sure what that would merit at a Taste of India. I was cautious
with my entree, navratan curry, and said "pretty spicy". It was just
fine -- it could've even had more kick. My roommate ordered aloo gobi
(cauliflower&peas), and she liked it as well. The vegetable samosa was
the best I've had -- if only because of the sauce they included with it
that was vaguely reminscent of sweet potatoes. I don't know what it
was, but both my roommate hung on to that and added it to the plain rice
after we had finished our entrees.
We'll definitely go back. I like it better than India Garden,
and while I love Sree's and have their food about once a week, I'll
gladly add a Taste of India to my Indian dining repertoire.My experience with Tast of India has always been VERY SLOW SERVICE. Although i have always had outstanding food there, i would never go there before a movie or somewhere i had to be on time. They only seem to have the same 2 people there (a man and woman). They reallyy need a bus/water person.