Shakahari - Vegetarian Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Old Saybrook

I'm so sad Shakahari is such a mess, management-wise. We would love to support a local vegetarian Indian restaurant, but the three occasions I've ordered from them:

The first time, I was dining in-house (pre-pandemic) with another person. We arrived shortly after they opened for the day, and apparently, so did the folks prepping and making everything. The lights were still off in the kitchen, and they hadn't even turned the heat on, yet. It took over one (chilly) hour to get our two basic meals.

The second time, we ordered takeout pickup. We arrived at the estimated time given for pickup. The person doing the cooking was chatting with someone in the dining room, and assured us they'd be right with us. They finished their conversation and then went to the kitchen to start cooking our meal. They hadn't even begun it, yet. So, again, we had to wait an absurdly long time to get our order (in addition to the wait time we'd already had after the online order).

The third and last time—tonight—we placed a takeout order online. We received a text confirmation of the order that said: "Your order will be ready on 1/7/2023 at 5:50 PM." This time, when my husband drove into the parking lot, it was to find that the restaurant wasn't even open. The entire place was dark and deserted. A sign on the door said, "We are closed today." Another person in the parking lot arrived and was equally shocked; they had also placed an online order. I've already had to spend the better part of an hour on the phone, trying to dispute the charge on our credit card. Hopefully, this charge does not go through in the end.*

*01/09/23 UPDATE: The situation gets worse! TWO DAYS after the original order went through, we received a new text telling us our order was ready for pickup! I tried calling the restaurant to let them know we'd placed that order on Saturday, and shouldn't be charged for it, but none of the listed phone numbers worked. One had a recorded message that said something along the lines of "The owners of this phone number have not set up a voicemail box."

We did not pick up the food, of course; the occasion we'd ordered it for two days before was long over. But, when I checked our transactions this morning, I found that Shakahari had actually billed us for the food! Needless to say, we are disputing this charge; I'm already an hour of my time into trying to get this charge struck from our credit card.

Shakahari is an absolute nightmare to deal with. I strongly advise folks to avoid it and...

This place is a rip off! It's not a restaurant, but someone's home who has put up few tables in one extra room! Coming to the food, yes they make it fresh in front of you, so it's going to take a lot of time! And at the end of it, you won't be even served the right thing you asked for. I ordered a daal makhani, and the daal they served was chana daal, which was originally not even there in the menu.. and it was not even cooked well done.. the food is at mediocre best.. I make better food than this at my own home! I am sure the only people who like their food are non Indians, who don't know the difference and quality of authentic Indian food.. This is the worst Indian food experience I had in US!

Not worth even a single visit. They used probably $20 worth raw materials in...

From the very first bite, I knew this place was something special. The food wasn’t just delicious—it was extraordinary. Every dish burst with rich, authentic flavors that transported me straight back to home-cooked meals made with love. The depth of seasoning, the perfect balance of spices—it was clear that each recipe was crafted with passion and expertise.

The ambiance only added to the magic. Cozy, inviting, and effortlessly comfortable, the restaurant made me feel right at home. Whether you're looking for an intimate dinner or a relaxed meal, this is the spot.

And the best part? Everything is impeccably fresh, with thoughtful touches like gluten-free options. I can’t recommend this place enough—it’s not just a meal, it’s an experience. Do...