Aashirwad Indian Food & Bar — Restaurant in Orlando

While the food was delicious as always, the service left much to be desired. From the moment we sat down, it felt like we were being rushed through our meal. Despite the attentiveness of the staff, there was a sense of urgency that made it difficult to fully enjoy our dining experience.

Towards the end of our meal, as we were waiting for our Uber outside due to the restaurant closing, things took a turn for the worse. Despite the rainy and cold weather, we were initially asked to wait by the door instead of at our table (mind you there are still 2 families finishing up---but we completely get them wanting to bus the table), which was understandable given the circumstances. However, within mere minutes, a staff member approached us, seemingly in a hurry, and inquired about the status of our Uber. When informed that it was seven minutes away, he walked away, then came back a minute later and proceeded to request that we wait outside. When I got understandably upset, he said "I wasn't forcing you but simply requesting" it made us even more rushed. We clearly are not welcome inside.

This request was not only unexpected but also felt incredibly uncomfortable, especially considering that we were two females and there was a group of intoxicated men outside. The insistence on waiting outside, despite the less-than-ideal conditions, left us feeling both frustrated and disrespected.

What truly baffled me was the timing of this request, coming right after they had asked for feedback on our dining experience. It felt as though our comfort and safety were being disregarded in favor of closing up the restaurant quickly.

In that moment, it became apparent that while the food was exceptional, the overall experience fell short due to a lack of consideration for the customers' well-being. It's disheartening when good food is overshadowed by subpar service, and I hope that you takes this feedback to heart and work towards providing a more customer-centric experience in the future. After all, treating people with dignity and respect should always be a priority.

*I want to note - I called the restaurant at 9:33 pm (we arrived 5 min after) and was told last call for food was at 10:15 pm. Ourselves informed us at 9:45 pm to please put all of tje order in ASAP bc the kitchen was closing. I asked if we could put in appetizers first then wait 10 minutes for the entrees just so we could not have everything out at once and again was told the same. I had to let her know I would not have come but the gentleman had stated we had time. She was very sweet but it was just not an experience I ever want to experience no matter how great...

Mixed Feelings (about service) at Aashirwad Restaurant in Orlando (food cannot be faulted).

As a solo female diner on a work trip, my experiences at this Indian restaurant in Orlando were a blend of culinary delight and not ideal customer service on my second visit during the same week. My first visit occurred on a weekend for an early dinner. Alone and eager, I admittedly ordered ambitiously but was pleasantly surprised by the generous portions. The server welcomed with a plate of poppadums with mint & tamarind chutneys. The Chili Gobi (was like Manchurian) was well-seasoned, the Bhuna Kathal (jackfruit) was delicious, and the Daal Fry (requested in a smaller portion) did not disappoint, although ended up being served double portions of rice. The Mango Lassi and Garlic Naan were the cherries on top; everything was, without exaggeration, exquisite. With leftovers in tow, I left satisfied, ready to enjoy the bounty throughout my trip. I tipped generously by my home-country standards and was wished well and sent off with requests to visit again.

Encouraged by this fantastic experience, I returned on the eve of my departure. This time, acutely aware of the portion sizes, I requested a smaller, kid-sized dish to avoid waste along with mango lassi and an aloo paratha. All went well, until after I requested for the bill.

The server reprimanded me for opting for a smaller portion and told me it is not something they do or should have done and was a massive favor done to me, and no such request will be honoured in future visits.

As someone conscious of food waste and dining alone, this critique was unnecessary and unwelcome. It left a bitter aftertaste on what could have been another perfect dining experience. Despite the food's undeniable quality, being judged for dining solo and requesting reasonable accommodations dampened my enthusiasm. The restaurant offers authentic and delicious Indian cuisine, but the service mindset could certainly be more accommodating to solo diners and those conscious of waste.

Please consider thaali options or smaller sides so one dinig alone can still perhaps get a variety of your offerings, without being forced...

A Birthday Celebration Fit for the Gods: A Review of Aashirwad 🍴

I recently had the pleasure of celebrating my son's birthday at Aashirwad, a restaurant I've had the joy of visiting multiple times before 🥳. As we walked in just as they were opening for dinner, we were promptly greeted and seated by the staff 👨‍🍳. Our server, the lovely Manali, was warm and attentive, taking the time to walk us through the new menu and offering expert recommendations 🤓.

Given my post-weight loss surgery dietary restrictions, Manali thoughtfully suggested options that would allow me to enjoy my meal without overindulging in starters 🙏. My son, a vegetarian, was thrilled to try the Dahi ke Kababs, which exceeded both our expectations 🤩. These crispy, flavorful patties were made with curd/yogurt, spices, and fresh herbs, and were perfectly balanced in terms of spice and flavor 🌿. The presentation was impressive, with fresh cilantro and a drizzle of honey adding a touch of elegance 🍯.

For our main courses, my son opted for the Baigan Chettinad, a spicy and tangy eggplant curry that was cooked to perfection 🔥. I chose the Chicken Bhuna Lazeez, which lived up to its name with tender chicken in a rich, thick masala sauce 🍜. Both dishes were paired with fluffy basmati rice and delicious bread – garlic naan for me and butter naan and roti for my son 🥖.

The spice levels were just right, and the flavors were expertly balanced 👌. It was as if the Indian gods had a hand in the cooking! 🙏 As we finished our meal and the restaurant began to fill up, Manali brought us our check and, on the house, a mango cheesecake that was the perfect birthday treat for my son 🎂.

The manager stopped by to ask about our experience, and we were happy to rave about the food and service 😊. Overall, I'm thrilled to give Aashirwad a 10/10 rating ⭐️. The combination of delicious food, attentive service, and warm hospitality made for a perfect birthday celebration for my son and me ❤️. We can't wait...