Kurrywalah — Restaurant in Cypress

My opinion and based on our dinner experience this evening. Giving this place 5 stars exclusively for service and food taste. Been wanting to visit for a while; heard good things about it from friends and reviews online seem to bear them out. The place is located in a typical Houston area strip center at the intersection of Grant Rd and Malcolmson Rd in Cypress, NW Houston metro. The ambience is utterly minimalistic - too much so, and resembles an ordinary cafe type restaurant. The walls were stark white and tables were undistinguished as well - all pretty ordinary/industrial looking. Quite belies they photos on the website showing the Katy location. The refrigerator containing drinks and the soda dispenser in the dining room were incongruous at best. The website implied a more upscale ambience. The restaurant was not full and seating was freely available - service was prompt and friendly/solicitous. We ordered Gobi Manchurian for appetizer and mango lassi - this after learning that out first preference, Lychee drinks, was unavailable - the big bottle Taj Mahal beer too was disappointingly unavailable. Had the Himalayan Snowman beer instead, which was light and smooth. Ordered Bhindi Masala, Malai Kofta, Cilantro Chicken and Peshawari and Bullet Naans (Chilli Naan). Food arrived promptly, was piping hot and tastefully displayed on white dishes. Napkins thankfully were of cloth and not paper. Everything was clean - service certainly stood out, attentive and friendly. Food was not very spicy (despite asking for it) but well-balanced. Tastes were on the mark - very flavorful. The Bhindi was a bit fibery to taste but overall, the food hit the spot. Prices were on the high side - roughly $13.99 and up for a main dish. Quantities were not huge, but entirely sufficient. We finished everything that was served and we left full. The total cost was $89, including an 18% tip. All in all, glad we visited - the tasty food and excellent service will draw...

I visited Kurry Walah today for the first time on the recommendation of a friend and I was BLOWN AWAY. We had my absolute favorite thing ever - Gobi Manchurian - to start along with the samosa chaat. Both were the best I’ve had. I decided to try something new for my entree (Malai Kofta) while my friend decided to have her tried and true favorite (Chicken Biryani) to see how it stacked up against other Indian places she’s eaten.

Absolutely everything was amazing. The chicken was tender and moist and my curry was creamy and delicious and spiced to perfection. I ordered medium heat on both the gobi and my malai kofta, and it was spicy enough that I got a little sniffley but not so hot that I couldn’t taste and enjoy my meal. If you like a good hearty kick to your food but don’t like it so spicy you can’t taste it, medium is for you.

I also highly recommend the onion kulcha - perfectly made and the sweet bits of onion in it are delicious when you dip it in your curry or with the fresh, cool yogurt dip for cooling off between bites of you get something spicy.

The service was great too - the place is small so there was only one waiter working when we went but he was lovely, as was the owner who came by to check up on us herself. Do plan to enjoy a nice leisurely lunch. The food didn’t take an excessively long time to come out, but it was obviously made fresh to order - there’s no an Applebee’s assembly line going on back there so don’t expect your apps in five minutes and your entrees five minutes after that. Allow yourself a full hour for a relaxed lunch and enjoy fresh, piping-hot food.

Oh, and the price point is great. $50 for two apps, 2 entrees, and two specialty drinks (masala tea and a masala lemon soda that was REALLY good - give it a try!) and both of us went home with enough leftover for lunch tomorrow. I consider that a good value. I’ll be back to this...

Shady billing practices!

Me and my family went to this place on March 19, 2023 for dinner. We ordered a non-veg thali and lamb biryani. Thali was great! Biryani was mediocre. I am a foodie and can actually cook pretty decent biryani myself. I knew that it was not just an accident but their biryani recipe was not right. I sent the biryani back and ordered something else. The second order was pretty good too.

At the time of checkout, we were charged 20% service charge. When I asked what that is, we were RUDELY told by the front desk guy that they added it for sending the biryani back. We were also told that we requested the music to be turned off. The music system was not having a good day - was glitchy and was not pleasant to hear. FWIW, we were the only customers in the restaurant at that time.

In other words, if you don't like the food and ask the staff to turn off the music by pressing a button on the remote control, they charge you 20% service fee. I have not experienced/heard something like that before.

I usually tip around 25 to 30% anyways. At the end of the day, I was so upset with this shady billing that I did not tip the guy anything because of the way he handled this entire situation.

Even though the food was not bad besides the biryani, we won't go back to this place just out of principle. Unfortunate and disappointing!

Advice to the management: hire better front desk people to work for you. Food is pretty decent. Also, the biryani recipe can be...