Website: www.ambrosiaib.com/aptos
Cuisine type: Indian
Atmosphere: casual
Meal: dinner
Overall score: 7.5
Nina
We picked this restaurant because of an enticing deal (of the restaurant.com variety), and we were pleasantly surprised to see just how close to the beach it was - between the time we got in the car to the time we entered the address, we had already passed it. The restaurant is in a small building with a unique feature - the front windows are not in one line, but rather in a zig-zag that allows for tables to be in more private and cozy nooks with ample window space. Unfortunately, these windows open towards a gas station which mostly blocks (and spoils) the otherwise beautiful indirect view of the coastline. The decor is a combination of traditional Indian statues and imagery lining the walls, joining a modern style bar and boldly colored walls.
We were quickly brought a basket of papadam with three dips (mint chutney, tamarind sauce and a pickled salsa-like concoction). While they were good, there was nothing special about this opener. The waiter presented us with a happy hour special offer for beer on tap, so we ordered a pair of Hefeweizen beers. Although he misrepresented the discount and the size of the beer (he said the small beers were huge, though they were only 12-16 oz), it was not a bad deal.
I ordered the Lamb Korma dish, which came together with the other entree, and pretty quickly too. The curry sauce was quite mild, but incredibly creamy and flavorful from the infused saffron. The lamb had absorbed many of the flavors of the sauce and what seemed like a marinade, but it was a little on the dry side (cooked too quickly?). I decided not to order any rice on the size, but rather a tandoori whole wheat roti, which was just a perfect complement to my dish.
Overall, this restaurant is good though not outstanding, and service is friendly and prompt, despite occasional slips of inaccuracy. If the exact same building could be transplanted a couple of blocks west, giving it an ocean view, it would make for an excellent destination for a casual weekend dinner.
We were quickly brought a basket of papadam with three dips (mint chutney, tamarind sauce and a pickled salsa-like concoction). While they were good, there was nothing special about this opener. The waiter presented us with a happy hour special offer for beer on tap, so we ordered a pair of Hefeweizen beers. Although he misrepresented the discount and the size of the beer (he said the small beers were huge, though they were only 12-16 oz), it was not a bad deal.
I ordered the Lamb Korma dish, which came together with the other entree, and pretty quickly too. The curry sauce was quite mild, but incredibly creamy and flavorful from the infused saffron. The lamb had absorbed many of the flavors of the sauce and what seemed like a marinade, but it was a little on the dry side (cooked too quickly?). I decided not to order any rice on the size, but rather a tandoori whole wheat roti, which was just a perfect complement to my dish.
Overall, this restaurant is good though not outstanding, and service is friendly and prompt, despite occasional slips of inaccuracy. If the exact same building could be transplanted a couple of blocks west, giving it an ocean view, it would make for an excellent destination for a casual weekend dinner.
Food 7
Drinks 8
Atmosphere 9
Service 7
Value 8
Drinks 8
Atmosphere 9
Service 7
Value 8
Ben
An indian restaurant near the beach in Aptos. The restaurant is pretty large, several tables around a large bar in the center with assorted indian decorations above the bar and along the walls. We sat at a window table in a row of stepped window walls. We had some standard chutney and dips with papadum, and ordered happy hour beer. I had a tandoori mixed grill, which was well spiced but a little overcooked. NIna’s lamb in curry sauce was much more tender and overall pretty tasty. The restaurant overall looks very nice, the service was decent but a little bored.
Food 7
Drinks 8
Atmosphere 8
Service 7
Value 7
Drinks 8
Atmosphere 8
Service 7
Value 7
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