The Indian Harbor — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

What a disappointment. Business dinner, so really was hoping it was good - first red flag was the mango lassi. $5 should have bought a decent size lassi but it comes in a small white WINE GLASS! With a straw! Really???? I ordered Butter Chicken and asked for white meat chicken - server seemed really puzzled by that request, like I'd asked for a french poodle to be substituted for chicken - but I repeated it, yes please, white meat chicken - and very very mild. My husband ordered chicken korma, also white meat chicken, and between mild to medium. Our guest ordered chicken vindaloo VERY spicey - and I took a minute to explain to our server that he has very high tolerance, likes it as hot and spicey as it can possibly be - EXTREMELY spicey please - don't be afraid to make it as spicey and hot as you can possibly make it - and he said sure, no problem. When our meals were brought, I noticed the white meat chicken in the korma was lovely nice big chunky cubes of white meat chicken, whereas the white meat chicken in my dish were tiny, thin slivers, like someone had gotten hold of a few of those nice chunks and carved them into slices. I thought that was odd. The flavor of my dish was great! Just disappointed in these sad little tiny slices of chicken. The "mild to medium spiced" korma, when I had a taste of it, almost blew my head off - it was crazy spicey, my husband ate it but was drenched in perspiration and didn't really enjoy it - way too hot. We asked our guest about his vindaloo and he said it was a good flavor, but not hot at all, seemed mild. Not believing that, after having explained carefully to the server that it must be as hot as possible, I gingerly dipped a piece of naan into it, and ate it, thinking I'd have my mouth set on fire. To my surprise it was milder than my husband's korma. Almost no heat at all to it. Because it was a business dinner, our guest hadn't wanted to make a fuss, but when the server came to clear our plates (bear in mind, NOBODY came to ask us how the food was, service was very inattentive), I said how mild the vindaloo was. Because the original server (who had taken our order) was nowhere to be seen (he seemed to vanish once our order was taken), this was a different server, so I explained that we specifically requested the most hot and spicey level possible. He also seemed confused, and said he could go to the kitchen and get another one - but at that point, we just wanted to leave. I'd ordered another Lassi because the servings were so ridiculously small - so to summarize, the flavor of the lassi was great - portion size ridiculously small - my dish, butter chicken, very mild, flavor was good, did not care for the shredded chicken. Husband's korma - great chunks/cubes of white meat chicken, mild to medium - was ridiculously spicy. Our guest's supposedly "as hot as you can possibly make it" vindaloo, was mild. tasty but mild. Service was very inattentive - if the server had come to our table and asked us all "how is everything?" we would have said something - but it was very inattentive service. At one point my husband ordered another beer and so did our guest - my husband's beer arrived and our guest just sat waiting - he never got his beer. Had to wave down the server again and re-order the beer for our guest, which embarrassed us on his behalf. When we left, we all said "we'll never come back here again." We'll go back to our regular great indian restaurant Zaika in Weston, where they know how to make a curry. VERY...

We travel every year for my son's basketball tournament to florida, and we stay very near to this restaurant. Last year we never looked for one, and so glad we did this time.

Ambiance: Absolutely stunning. It truly gives a luxury fine dining environment. Usually for a indian restaurant, many does a mediocre job on the interior. Here, from the expensive chandelier to the furniture, flooring, rustic and artistic side walls, bar, tables, everything was a great sight. Every wall was thoughtfully and creatively decorated. I do Airbnb photography in Charlotte NC ( www.charlottepixels.com ), and I know when I see the right interior design. So much care and thought was put into using the space at it's very best. Soothing colors, that emerald green gives a great feel.

Food: We are south indians, and we were open minded and wanted to try what may come. We tried Kashmiri Naan, which is sweet. But it gave a Poli sweet flavor, and without any side dish you can eat. We had Chicken 65, and naan with a side. Everything tasted delicious. My wife is a vegan, and she had no problem in trying anything. My kids loved the food, and thought the mild was sometime spicy, but other than that it was all great. We also had the dessert.

Service: Definitely let them know prior to ordering if your kids have nut allergy. You never know which food has nuts, and the chef and receptionist were friendly and accommodating.

Access: It's right next door to a Chipotle restaurant and the door can be confusing since it's next to each other.

Parking: Absolutely a pain. No parking space. It was raining as well, so its' definitely a downside. Definitely have a umbrella, as you may have to park far and might need a walk, and you never know when it rains here. Weather flips in a...

We have been going here for around 7 years, ever since we moved to Fort Lauderdale and they were in the old location. Always had a good experience, however once they moved the prices went up like crazy, and they nickel and dime you.

We were a party of 4 with a baby, and they auto added gratuity. I have never been to a restaurant that did this for a small table, let alone this was never done before in this restaurant.

We were charged $4.16 for “still water” when again we had never paid for water here before

We also automatically had 4% added to the total bill which wasn’t disclosed and was on the bill as a “credit card fee” This has never been charged before and so sketchy. It’s a MERCHANT fee, this needs to be included in the items price and not passed on to customers this is both unethical and illegal in a lot of states. I was baffled until I looked at the receipt and it said “if you pay cash we will remove the 4%” why not just factor that into the item price and not piss your customers off? .

Lastly, the food. We used to love coming here for the taste and the food. The tandoori lacked flavor and I also needed to use a fine tooth comb to find the chicken in my butter chicken as there was none. Just the liquid. Its so unfortunate that what used to be our favorite restaurant “sold out” and now nickels and dimes their customers, all while not even providing food to them.

My recommendation is to save your time and money and take your business elsewhere as we will be doing the same, and finding a new...