Flambé India - Libertyville — Restaurant in Libertyville

Here’s what you need to know: nowhere near perfect and some things clearly need improvement but there was enough good food at our table that (for a small business which deserves support), I will rate it 5 stars. Service from Gerardo was very good - he was knowledgeable and efficient, giving good recommendations.

Some downsides:

There was a gut wrenching wet rag smell in the hallway to the restroom that was made all of us nauseous when we walked through it to wash our hands. Thankfully the stink did not permeate the dining room so we were able to enjoy our meal.

no refills on soda - I was given a half glass full of ice and not given a can at the table. Then when I asked for a refill, they advised it would cost me another drink. It’s 40 cents a can to procure, there is no labor or holding cost since it’s not refrigerated. They used half a can of coke in my drink… who thought it was a good customer service idea to not allow for a single refill :)

No rice with any main / entree curry dish (whether is $22 or $27 or whatever the cost) You have to spend another $4 for boiled rice - unseasoned and no spices or herbs. That seems crazy to me. Again, you’re offering a mains that is incomplete at a high priced. This needs to be addressed.

Most naans and kulcha were enjoyable but one of them was overly doughy and slightly underbaked.

Chicken malai tikka was a big presentation with hanging skewers but probably the least enjoyable dish - it was dry chicken breast. The sauce was too heavy on the cardamom and had an overly sweet cream taste to it.

Chicken malai seekh, paneer tikka, and fish Amritsari was all enjoyable (paneer tikka aggressively used artificial food coloring which was a turn off and looked unnatural ; fish was a touch dried out but still flavorful given the marination.)

Butter chicken was delicious, natkhat lamb was enjoyable but the meat was overcooked and dry The flavorful curry carried it through.

Overall, I would go back for the dishes I enjoyed and would recommend...

Extremely disappointing experience — unsafe for non-drinkers and very unprofessional.

I ordered a mocktail, but the server brought me a drink that clearly had alcohol in it. When I pointed it out, he refused to believe me, even after my friends (who drink) tasted it and confirmed it was alcoholic. Only after insisting did they remake it properly without alcohol.

We also ordered food that included rice, but the rice never came. At the end, the server tried to charge us through 2–3 random transactions that didn’t even add up correctly. When we asked for clarification, he rudely put the receipt on the table and said, “I’m busy.” That attitude was completely unprofessional.

When we checked the receipts later, we saw they charged us for the rice we never got, and even for a Moscow Mule — despite the server himself telling me it was a mocktail. Clearly a mistake on their part, but they refused to own it.

I’ve never had alcohol in my life, and taking a sip of that first drink was very unpleasant and unacceptable. This was my first and definitely last visit.

Rude service, dishonest charges, and no regard for the customer experience....

The absolute best Indian food outside Chicago! They serve large portions at affordable prices, which is a must-have. This restaurant boasts an extensive menu that caters to every palate. The culinary team is highly skilled and most confident in their abilities. The ambiance is intimate yet inviting, and the service is impeccable. The artwork and decor are visually appealing, adding to the overall dining experience. There was an unpleasant odor in the back hallway, however the restrooms were spotless. Sreekanth, with his friendly and knowledgeable demeanor, took the time to explain the entire menu, ensuring we made the right choices. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and were reluctant to stop eating. The entrées were incredible, and the bread was fantastic. However, the rice was nothing special it had perfect texture, but a very starchy and over salted taste. They definitely need to improve their management of incoming customers and food deliveries. Since there’s no front host/hostess desk, everyone tends to gather in the middle of the restaurant. Without a doubt, we are coming back here to try the...