Maharaja: The Taste of India — Restaurant in Kennewick

Once again we had a wonderful dinner at Maharaja. I'd forgotten my phone at home or I would have added some pictures to the review. We arrived a bit early in the evening at around 6pm. There was a very short wait as a server set up a table for us. The atmosphere was a gorgeous as ever. And the service in the restaurant is top-notch with very attentive staff. If you are ever in doubt about what to order, the servers are very good at finding out what you know you like and suggesting something different but with the elements of the other foods that you like. They have a full-service bar with a nice variety of cocktails available. This restaurant is suitable all groups and families. Our meal details:

I wanted to try some different things on the menu so we enjoyed a starter of Golgappa-Pani Puri. I'd never heard of it before and it was a fun (if hearty) appetizer. It consists of three components - a very thin and delicately fried hollow of crispy goodness. You crack open the top of the crisp and fill the hollow with a mixture of lightly seasoned and cooked garbanzo beans with shredded potatoes. On top of that you ladle on a bit of the "spicy water". Very interesting and tasty. There is a little hint of spiciness in the water but nothing too bad. It definitely has a distinctive tang possibly from tamarind.

My husband got his reliable favorite - Lamb Tikka Masala (medium spice level). The sauce was as tasty as it always is. I'm not a big fan of lamb in my Indian food (often more gamey than my palate prefers) but he loves it.

I decided to try the Chicken Kaali Mirch. It looked identical to the Tikka Masala but had a different flavor profile. It is impossible for me to describe but it was good and I'd be just as likely to order it again as I am the Tikka Masala.

It wasn't on the menu but my husband was able to get a Taj Mahal beer to go with his meal. I had a "King of Margarita". No sweet and sour mix in that drink (yay!)

A gentleman, who was checking in with the guests, came around and we ended up discovering that a menu change is coming (I'm not sure if it is just a lunch time change). But to make up for the buffet they no longer have, they will soon start offering "combination" meals. Sounded like they will be offering thali platters to me! Hopefully they'll offer that on the dinner menu as well as my husband and I enjoy having several small dishes to enjoy with our...

This place is a welcome international dinning option in Tri-Cities and it is fantastic!

First off: This new restaurant has your safety in mind first and foremost. From hand sanitizer and temperature checks before you enter the restaurant, to gloves for employees and guest of the buffet, to disposable utensils and plates. While this would usually detract from a dinning experience, in this pandemic world it is a firm stance and physical notice of the safety priority of both the staff and patrons of this establishment.

Secondly and most importantly the food! Being my first visit I opted for the buffet, it offered a wide range of delicious options, and it certainly gave me a great preview of the quality of food being made in the kitchen. The buffet was stocked with all of the usual "staple Indian items" all of which were well done and seemingly well tended to in terms of restocking and keeping covered by the attendants. Food was delicious and being that it was a buffet, the option for over indulgence for such tasty treats was both abundant and well taken advantage of!

Thirdly Service: very attentive staff! As this was a lunch time visit the buffet was a popular option. A staff member showed me through the buffet and gave me a little info on all of the options, after which he handed me a disposable glove and let me loose to enjoy. Staff were seemingly always around ensuring guest were using gloves, keeping foods covered and happily answering any questions folks had. Table side service did not dissapoint either, with timely refills of water, naan baskets and removal of dirty plates all well timed and consistent throughout our lunch visit.

Fourth the atmosphere: bright, but not overly so, seating of guest at staggered tables for additional spacing, seemingly oversized arm chairs that were very comfortable. Music was at a good volume for conversations but not so quiet you didn't know it was there. Overall I'd say very comfortable and relaxing environment.

In conclusion, great food, great staff and pandemic safety abundant and paramount. 5 out of 5 stars and will return again soon!

Side note, I also look forward to a time where the pandemic is over and I look forward to seeing this establishment in full service and with more service level appropriate china...

I really dislike giving a bad review, but today and our service makes me want to warn others.

Health Inspectors report just after we ate there speaks volumes as reported in the Tri City Herald:

Maharaja Taste of India, 8110 Gage Blvd., Kennewick, Routine July 10 (80 Red, 15 Blue) Notes: Lack of active managerial control, inadequate handwashing facilities (multiple sinks lacked hot enough water, among other sink issues), improper cooling procedures, improper hot holding (45°F), accurate thermometer not provided or used.

To start off when we walked through the door our greeter was exasperated and really did not want to show us to a table. We were seated at a table staring at a wall in a corner. We asked for a better table and were told no.

Water was 10 mins in coming. The waiter, our happy greeter, asked us for our order and whinced repeatedly when my wife didn't have a snappy response. I got the rolled eyes when ordering immediately a chicken vindaloo and some cheese naan.

While we waited in walk three other couples, they are seated at pleasant tables with views. They were promptly served drinks, bread and their food was served within minutes (~10mins) of ordering.

Seeing this I say to my wife... this is not going well. Our bread and ice tea was 40 minutes in getting to us and only my dish was served. Our happy greeter stated her kabob took a long time to cook yet the same dish was served to another couple, so I guess they had the fast cooking chickens My wife's dish came 10 mins later.

Later that evening my wife was sick from the chicken dish and all leftovers were thrown away.

We were so looking forward to some good Indian food and a nice quiet lunch. I don't know how these guys are staying in business.

Shame on you Maharaj... you fail as a restaurant at being decent to all your customers and apparently as the health department says... being clean! I would give zero stars if it...