Ela Curry & Cocktails — Restaurant in Palm Beach Gardens

As a frequent butter chicken enthusiast, I found this restaurant's take on the classic dish to be quite different from the traditional preparation. Their version leans towards an acidic, tangy profile rather than the typical sweet and creamy butter chicken most are familiar with.

While it's not a bad dish in its own right, those expecting authentic butter chicken might be disappointed. Interestingly, my friend who was trying butter chicken for the first time thoroughly enjoyed it, which suggests the dish can be appealing if you approach it without preconceptions.

The service was inconsistent. When we were initially seated, we received only one portion of rice for two butter chicken orders. While the server mentioned we could request more, they were nowhere to be found when we needed them, forcing me to approach the bar for additional rice.

Curiously, after this incident, the opposite extreme occurred - our server began checking on us almost every five minutes, which became somewhat disruptive to our dining experience.

We also inquired about mango lassi, but they only had pumpkin lassi available. I requested a small sample before ordering a full drink, and I'm glad I did. The pumpkin lassi was underwhelming and not to my taste. Credit to the restaurant for offering samples - it helped avoid disappointment with a full-size order.

Overall, a mixed bag – the food wasn't bad, but it wasn't what I expected, and the service was uneven. However, if you've never had Indian food before, it might be a surprising experience. Those familiar with authentic Indian cuisine should adjust their expectations...

Ela Curry Kitchen delivers a delicious and flavorful Indian dining experience. I ordered the tasting menu which was a bit overpriced at $65 per person, but the flavor and variety of the menu were fantastic. Each dish provided a unique palette of flavors, while the main course’s sampler of 7 curries gave me the wonderful experience I’m used to with Indian cuisine: trying many different dishes as I order family style. All courses were delicious and seemed to utilize very high quality ingredients.

The service and ambiance are both good, but certainly not fantastic. My table often felt as though we were not being properly attended to by our server, and there were sometimes long gaps between courses. The ambiance was definitely of an elevated nature compared to most Indian restaurants, which I appreciated given the price point. I would say that the service and ambiance are not reasons to visit this restaurant, but they do not detract significantly from the experience.

I’m used to getting large portions of food for low prices when it comes to Indian; this is not the case at Ela. The prices are very high and the portions are small. This is true of both the tasting menu and the a la carte dishes. Portions and prices are not any worse than fine dining restaurants, but it is a bit difficult to separate from traditional cheap Indian cuisine.

Overall, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an elevated Indian dining experience. Be aware of the prices and portions, but if these aren’t issues I would certainly advise a visit. The food is delicious and...

About the Location:

Ela Curry and Cocktail is situated in a strip mall, offering convenience and easy access for diners in the area. As a fine dining establishment, the restaurant presents a neat and clean atmosphere, complemented by friendly servers who contribute positively to the overall dining experience. This setting provides a welcoming environment for patrons looking to enjoy a meal in a comfortable and relaxed setting.

About the Food:

The dining experience at Ela Curry and Cocktail was a mix of highs and lows. The butter chicken sauce, known for its mild and extra buttery flavor, was satisfactory but did not stand out. The butter chicken nachos were a letdown, with barely any chicken included. The masala dosa was another mixed experience; while the sides were acceptable, the dosa itself was slightly sour and lacking in salt.

The butter chicken Thali, which should have been a highlight, unfortunately did not impress, with the paratha tasting like a frozen product. On a more positive note, the restaurant shines with their cocktail offerings, delivering well-crafted drinks that stood out as a high point during the visit. Overall, a balanced review with room for improvement, earning a 3-star rating for...