Himani Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Astoria

Do yourself a favour and go somewhere else. Anywhere else. The McDonald’s. The corner gas station. This was the worst “Indian” food that I have ever encountered. Trader Joe’s has higher quality and more authentic Indian food options in their frozen food aisle.

If there is any a’la minute or fresh-not-frozen food on their menu, I would be shocked. The samosas were so salty and mushy that they were inedible. I would bet they were purchased pre-made and frozen. The vegetable biryani had frozen mixed-vegetable medley as the “fresh vegetable” option. The basmati rice seemed like it came from those par-boiled bags and the only thing they did was throw some raw onion over the top. The lamb seemed like it had been freeze-dried and reconstituted. Every woeful bite was worse than the previous.

This restaurant is great for anyone who wants to eat whole cloves, whole star anise, or get a mouthful of cardamom pods from the single-serve vacuum packed frozen food packets that are heated up when another unsuspecting victim is lured in. Even the naan was sub-par.

It took almost an hour to get the re-heated, low-quality food to the table. At one point an employee walked over to our table while we were waiting and asked us if we were waiting for something. When I replied “our food”, he seemed genuinely shocked as if their expectation is that people order, pay, and leave without getting their food.

The only positive to the entire experience was that the lemonade was tart and the mango lassi...

If you want to be discriminated against this is the place for you!

We asked to dine outside because it was a beautiful warm night and it looked like their AC was not working inside. We were given a menu and was told to order inside when we were ready. Menu is full of good traditional Indian cuisine, so many to choose from so little time because we have a long trip ahead of us. When we finally decided what we wanted, I went in to place order. The couple that were seated outside next to us went in ahead of us to pay. So I sat back down and waited for them to finish. I gave them enough time but when I checked again there was another couple paying their meals so I waited for them to walk out before I head back in. I placed our order and when I was about to turn around and head back the cashier/waiter asked me to pay, I was shocked. Really?? Everyone paid their meals after but only I had to pay before my meal? ( I was thinking in my head I didn't say it) Seeing how everyone paid after, I went in with the intention to pay afterwards. Because this was not the pattern I witnessed, I had to retrieve my wallet outside. I paid. I gladly paid but I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. Standing there paying for a meal I haven't received while others are dining in looking at me pay when they haven't paid themselves. What did I do to deserve this? Why can't I pay after like everyone else?

It was our first time there and it will...

One of the most pathetic restaurants ever. We had to wait 2+ hrs to get bare minimum food after we ordered. To add to the misery, the food was so unprepared and we wondered what we had ordered at the first place. Wish we could go back in time and undoing this would have saved us 3+ hrs, significant $$$ value and most importantly our appetite. Wouldn't recommend for anyone even if they are unsure what to do in life.

Update post response from owner: Talk about classic examples of misusing the word 'Privilege', here is one from the owner. And the response to the review clearly articulates their commitment to a customer. Not to mention, attacking customer personally when their act of professionalism is being questioned. To answer the question on informing the staff ahead, we did call and inform we are headed to your supposed 'Restaurant' 30 mins prior. Am not going to spend any more time here. Regardless of my review, ppl reading the response to the review will understand the kind of service you provide for the customers coming to your restaurant. Also, am not the first time commenting on this experience, there are atleast 3 others who commented on...