Flambé India - Lincolnshire — Restaurant in Buffalo Grove

We were looking for a good north Indian restaurant around Palatine and this place came recommended by few friends. We were able to get reservations for a large party here. Overall had a great experience. Some tips based on our experiences:

Restaurant is not too big but also has outdoor seating to accommodate large party. They accommodate small pets for outdoor seating. Staff is very friendly and accommodating. All staff were wearing masks to take the necessary covid precautions. We sat outside to enjoy the weather. However after dusk there were lot of mosquitoes outside as there are no bug repellent placed outside. If you plan to sit outside then wear pants or finish your meal before dusk. They have good food varieties and everything we tried was delicious. We informed them about nut allergies and they took extra precautions for all food. Since they make everything fresh, they were very accommodating to adjustments. In general their food spice level is mild, so if you like a lot of spice then let them know early to make it extra spicy. For starters we had Chicken and Paneer Tikka. The paneer tikka came a big square cubes and were very nicely flavored. Chicken was soft and mixed with flavored onions. Vegetable Madras is their specialty and you have to try it. It was one of the best dishes of the night. If you like eggplants then you have to get Eggplant cherry tomato. It was very flavorful. You could hardly tell it was eggplants. Dal Makhani and Butter Chicken was good as usual. Garlic Cilantro Naan was also very good. Their palak paneer is made from fresh spinach. It had good flavor and big chunks of Paneer. Overall the food is not very creamy and heavy, unlike other Indian food.

We had a great family experience and will definitely...

Surprising!

Impression of Atmosphere Located within a strip mall, the grey paint feels a bit office-like but the multitude of colorful hanging umbrellas, artwork and lighting make the place feel inviting and classy. Cloth napkins, waitstaff presented in black clothing and extremely tidy appearance; I'd say camera ready. Of note, smallwares are definitely different than many other Indian restaurants. I actually appreciate the food isn't served tableside in metal serving bowls. Overall a very organized and clean establishment.

The Food Wow. It's clearly well thought out. Other places I've been to feel a bit lower scale, sloppy and greasy however Flambe India comes across as higher tier and fresh. Food is craveable. The naan was huge with the perfect amount of fluffy softness and crisp. Honestly a show stopper. The raita, which I usually skip, was impeccably delicious. Tamarind and chutney seemed standard but good. You must order rice as a side dish and there are several profile options. I recommend the cumin rice. Lovely basmati and perfectly seasoned. Cocktails were expertly prepared and did not start with bottom shelf brands.

Service Well-mannered but could be more attentive. Our table felt mildly 3rd place in comparison to a larger group party. There were plenty of waitstaff but I prefer people perform table touches versus customer having to flag someone to come over to table.

Pricing Higher than other Indian establishments but definitely worth treating yourself to nicer atmosphere and quality food.

Recommendation I don't hesitate to recommend and will go back to taste...

As a regular at Flambe's Libertyville branch, my recent visit to their Buffalo Grove location left me with mixed emotions.

Arriving at the restaurant, I was surprised by the ongoing construction and the smaller size compared to the Libertyville outlet. Nevertheless, we decided to give it a chance.

The Mango Habanero Paneer Tikka, a visually striking dish, lived up to its appearance with flavorful and satisfying paneer, initially bolstering our confidence in the restaurant's authenticity.

However, as we awaited our main courses of Matar Paneer, Goat Curry, naan, and rice, I perused some reviews, particularly those from Indian patrons mentioning issues with watery gravies. Unfortunately, our Matar Paneer arrived exactly as described - excessively watery gravy indicated a lack of proper cooking technique and experienced kitchen staff. A good curry should simmer and thicken to achieve the desired consistency.

Furthermore, while the Goat Curry was passable, it failed to impress. To our dismay, the paneer in the Matar Paneer lacked the quality we enjoyed in the appetizer; instead, it resembled store-bought frozen paneer, with a rubbery texture.

Disheartened by the inconsistencies, we opted to pack our food and leave.

Flambe's management needs to address these issues if they aim to provide an experience akin to their Libertyville location. Consistency in cooking techniques, quality ingredients, and attention to customer feedback are imperative for maintaining their reputation for excellence in...