Ambrosia India Bistro - Monterey — Restaurant in Monterey

My recent dining experience at Ambrosia, an Indian restaurant, was an absolute delight. From the outset, the restaurant exuded a warm, inviting atmosphere that perfectly captured the essence of Indian hospitality.

The service at Ambrosia was outstanding. The staff were not only knowledgeable about the menu but also exhibited a genuine passion for their cuisine. They were attentive and efficient, ensuring that every need was met promptly and with a smile. This level of service greatly enhanced the overall dining experience, making us feel truly valued as customers.

The culinary journey at Ambrosia was equally impressive. The menu offered a rich tapestry of flavors, showcasing the diversity of Indian cuisine. For starters, the Samosas were a revelation - perfectly crispy on the outside, with a deliciously spiced potato filling. The Chicken Tikka, marinated in yogurt and spices, then grilled to perfection, was succulent and bursting with flavor.

The main courses were a testament to the chef’s expertise in balancing flavors and spices. The Butter Chicken was a standout dish, with tender chicken pieces in a creamy, tomato-based sauce, striking a perfect harmony between sweet and savory. The Lamb Vindaloo, on the other hand, was an adventure for the palate, offering a spicy, tangy, and deeply satisfying experience.

The side dishes and breads were equally commendable. The Garlic Naan was light, fluffy, and infused with the perfect amount of garlic. The Basmati Rice was fragrant and fluffy, an ideal accompaniment to the rich curries.

To conclude the meal, the dessert of Gulab Jamun, served warm and soaked in a sweet syrup, provided a comforting end to a fantastic meal.

In summary, Ambrosia is not just a restaurant; it’s a culinary experience that transcends the ordinary. The exceptional service, combined with the superbly crafted dishes, makes Ambrosia a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the rich flavors of...

In a nutshell: Mediocre food, terrible service.

We ordered a portion of lamb samosas which resembled hard shelled money pouch dim sums than regular samosas (triangular shaped). As soon as I had the first bite, it was clear to me that it was a regular samosa, devoid of any meat filling. After highlighting this to the staff, one of the staff members came to our table and asked us about the issue with our order. Upon explaining to him the issue, he insisted that it was a lamb samosa and refused to believe that it was a regular one. Even after showing him the filling, he arrogantly continued to insist that it wasn't potato but rather minced lamb feeling. To be doubly sure, everyone in our party inspected the dubious samosas in question and confirmed that there was no lamb in these samoas. Further, one of the staff members picked up the samosa with their bare hands and took it in for further inspection.

After a few minutes (by the time our mains had arrived), the one of the staff members returned to our table and didn't even offer an apology, let alone do something to make up for their mistake. Instead, they gave us a choice to cancel the order or have it replaced. Naturally, we opted to cancel the order as we'd already started with our main course by that time.

Our party also requested the mains to be on the milder side in terms of spiciness and that rewuest was ignored. A majority of our party were sweating buckets and didn't enjoy our dinner.

Lastly, the water served to us tasted rather funky and we had to opt for bottled water. Overall, it was a terrible outing and it's safe to say that we will not be returning to this...

I love Indian food and am generally pretty open to the various interpretations and presentations as I've eaten at numerous Indian restaurants over the years, all over the country. But this was, admittedly, one of the most disappointing meals I've ever eaten (which includes fare from a super sketchy truck stop Indian place in the middle of nowhere).

My lunch order consisted of samosas, garlic naan, saffron rice, Aloo Gobi, chicken tikka masala, and butter chicken -- all dishes I've ordered frequently in the past. (And again, I always give leeway to the variance in preparation.)

THE GOOD: The ambiance and decor is lovely, the waitstaff was friendly and polite, and the service was adequate. The naan and samosas were very tasty, so we thought for sure the entrees would be equally delicious, but we were oh so WRONG.

THE VERY BAD: The menu is entirely a la carte with very small portions, especially for the prices. But worst of all, the aloo gobi, chicken tikka masala, and butter chicken all seemed to be drowning in Tabasco sauce!!! The dishes smelled strongly of vinegar, and nothing like Indian food or spices. They were all overpowered with the peppery, vinegary taste of Tabasco. Which not only happens to be my least favorite condiment in the world, but lends absolutely nothing to Indian cuisine. The dishes were absolutely ruined, I've never tasted anything like them in my life. It was actually a relief that the portions were small, so I didn't have to waste as much in leftovers.

Needless to say, I'll...