Indian Kitchen — Restaurant in Indian Wells

Upon entering the restaurant, one is immediately captivated by its simple yet charming decor. The light wood and black accents of the tables and chairs create a pleasing contrast, beautifully complemented by a golden statue elegantly displayed on a shelf near the entrance. While the traditional white plates seemed slightly out of place, a darker plate setting could enhance the overall aesthetic, aligning more harmoniously with the existing contrast and sauce bowls. The lighting was delightful, and I could easily imagine the ambiance during the evening rush as warm and inviting.

The service, although highly attentive, could benefit from a touch more friendliness. Initially, the server's demeanor was somewhat reserved, but their attitude noticeably brightened once they observed us taking photos and discussing the restaurant's decor.

Now, let’s delve into the culinary experience.

Samosa: Despite the flavor missing its signature robustness, the samosa's crust was impressively flaky and light, with a filling that was refreshingly less heavy compared to others I’ve had. Often, samosas can suffer from a thick, undercooked crust, but this one offered a perfect crunch and consistency.

Cheese Naan: The cheese naan was aromatic and flavorful, though slightly on the doughy side. A crispier bottom and perhaps a broiled top layer of cheese would elevate this dish. Thinning the bread slightly could allow it to cook more thoroughly, making it less heavy on the stomach.

Chicken Korma: The chicken korma was a delightful blend of flavors and aromas. The spice level was perfectly balanced, providing a gentle kick without overwhelming the palate. The distinct flavor of the chicken, separate from the sauce, created a dynamic and enjoyable culinary experience. A slightly thicker korma sauce would enhance the dish even further.

Saag Paneer: The paneer itself was notably firm, maintaining its texture and consistency with each bite, unlike the more crumbly versions found elsewhere. The spinach sauce, though slightly bland initially, offered a pleasant tangy aftertaste. The subtlety of the spinach flavor complemented the chicken korma perfectly, enhancing the individual qualities of both dishes.

The quality of the ingredients was exceptionally high, a true delight for someone who enjoys both eating and cooking. The chicken was tender and flavorful, and the paneer was firm and tasty. The sauces were rich and well-prepared. Even the water quality was noteworthy, an important detail that contributes to the overall dining experience.

Personally, although the serving size was relatively generous, the rice should have been included with the dishes for the price of the meal. Even a sharable side of rice would have been sufficient as it is a staple when eating Indian cuisine.

I hope you find this Critique and Review helpful and...

As an Indian Wells resident I've wanted to try Indian Kitchen since it opened. My wife and I went for dinner on 1/12/2023.

If you decide to go there are a couple of things you should know: 1) Children are not allowed; 2) Cell phones are not allowed. To both of these I say "bravo!"

The atmosphere is nice - very minimal in a good way. The owner has done some interesting things with Ganesh that fit right into Indian Wells.

I only gave 4-stars for service so let me explain why. First of all, the owner is very kind. He will explain anything on the menu, provide his recommendations and favorites, and legitimately wants you to have a good dining experience. The problem is that he does too much on his own, which leaves the two ladies working for him to stand around a bit too much. One of the ladies could have taken our drink order or brought us our check while the host was with other tables.

The food is very good. I had the Chicken Mangalorean and my wife had the Shrimp Mangalorean. I ordered butter naan and she ordered onion naan. One side of rice was enough for both of us. All the food is delicious.

For an Indian restaurant there is a surprisingly deep beer and wine menu; however, the draft beer is overpriced at $11 so I ordered a bottled beer for $7.

For dessert I had a delicious piece of apple pie. Apple pie at an Indian restaurant - how? Why? The owner also owns Paradise Cafe at the intersection of Highway 74 and Highway 371 and brings his great apple pie recipe to Indian Kitchen. Again, bravo!

So why only a four-star review? The bill (two entrees, two orders of naan, one order of rice, one piece of pie ala mode, one beer, one Coke) was nearly $113 including tax and a 15% tip. As much as I love Indian food and dining out I just can't justify that kind of price. Restaurant dining is quickly becoming something I "used to do" because the cost has gone way out of control. I don't have a solution - I wish I did.

I hope this restaurant does well - the owner deserves...

This place sucks! The two times that I’ve been here I’ve been super disappointed. The food is not authentic Indian. It’s Indian-ish. The food feels very heavy and lacks flavor and texture. I have now tried four stews, the fried cauliflower, the rice and the bread. The fried cauliflower was a huge disappointment because I was so looking forward to them. They were caked with batter and deep fried to a burnt crisp. The rice is undercooked, and the bread was just OK. The stews were terrible. I don’t understand why they can’t figure out how to make authentic high-quality Indian food. The server wasn’t very knowledgeable about the menu and I think based on her suggestion, I ordered the wrong item. I think the servers need to be educated about that food items on the menu. A couple of desserts we wanted to order weren’t available because we were told they weren’t made. There’s just a lot of things about this restaurant that could be better. Worst of the Indian restaurant choices...