Star of India — Restaurant in Phoenix

5- star food, 1- star service. Something has to have happened last night. I'm willing to update my review if the owners make the situation right.

We arrived at 6:45 and we seated momentarily. Fresh white tablecloth, gentle spice aroma but not where you will leave smelling like vindaloo and frying oil. We got an order of samosas which came out relatively quickly, around 7pm but no one ever asked us what we wanted to drink. They did keep the water glasses filled though. At 7:40 we had to ask a server where our mains were. He said they had gotten a little backed up in the kitchen but ours would be out next, about 2-3 more minutes. At 7:50, we asked another server where our food was, at this point I had a headache and was jittery from being hungry - I had worked all day and hadn't had lunch. She also said 2-3 more minutes. 2 tables that had been seated after us had been served, paid, and left after getting both appetizers and mains. Finally a few minutes after 8, we were served.

The food was excellent. Possibly the best Indian food that we have ever had. Not heavy or greasy, everything was top notch. At that point we finally got an apology for the delay, but no explanation or assurance that this isn't their usual and were asked if the food was worth the wait. At 8:23, our bill was dropped on the table, no one ever asked if we wanted anything else, or if we wanted dessert, and I was looking forward to the rasmalai, it's one of my favorites. There was no discount on the bill for the inconvenience, no offer of a bottle of soda or a piece of bread to hold us until our food came out, nothing. As we were walking out, before 8:30, the hours state they're open until 9pm on Fridays, there were still 2 tables finishing and it appeared the whole team was closing and getting ready to leave.

I rarely leave poor reviews for restaurants. I work in food service for a small local business. If anyone had come out and apologized at 30 or 40 minutes and brought a piece of bread or even if they had the manager come over and apologize for the mixup and assured us this isn't their normal way of doing business, I would have been OK with it. It was just handled so poorly all around. We went here based on all of the good reviews and I can't imagine this is normal and that something had to...

Looks very nice from the outside. Filled with Indian objets d'arts inside. Neat, clean, and strong spices not permeating the place. My table was the third from the front along the side where the buffet is. Actual cloth table covering and napkins. Small light(s) on every table. Flickering hanging lamps over each table on this side were annoying. The first person to take my order didn't seem to understand that I wanted one order to eat in and a different order to take out. The second person took my order and it all turned out fine. However, the food was disappointing. Very oily rice pea pilau with large chunks of green pepper. Chicken makhni pieces had gristle and cartilage in several bites. Waitress told me that this "meat is dark meat and the kitchen people can't feel the gristle through their gloves". The pastry for the vegetable samosa was actually tough in the corners, not flaky anywhere, and the pea and potato filling was smushy. The salty lassi was excellent. With the take-out order, they didn't include a naan that I ordered, which I didn't discover until I was already home. But they took10% off the bill because I mentioned the gristle in the chicken makhni - I didn't ask them to do it so I appreciate that gesture. My first time eating here, and I will try once more because the atmosphere is pleasant, and the staff are very friendly and courteous. By 6:15, the phone for carry-out was ringing about every 5 minutes, so there are many who like the food. If you're used to Indian food in Sterling Hts MI (huge Indian and Pakistani population) or D.C. or NYC, the meal tonight was truly no more than 3 stars at best. Worth a try and see what you think. p.s. the entree does not include rice. Jasmine rice is not on the menu. They had never heard of...

This is our GO TO Indian spot.

The staff is not overly fake friendly, but are nice and make you feel welcome. The owner is a genuine treasure who honestly makes you want to come back and makes you feel welcome.

If you have a question, need a suggestion, and don't want to try to google what something is, the owner or servers will explain and help without upselling. They really want you to enjoy the food and your time here.

Everything is amazing, I know this, because I have tried literally almost everything (not tried all meat options for all dishes, but have tried all dishes and have only not had the seafood, but I will be starting next time and will give an update). Most dishes are served with rice and are not HUGE, but are good sized.

Bathroom and the restaurant are clean and feel more upscale despite the price being reasonable.

One time I had slow food times here and the manager personally came out, apologized, and comped a desert. Kitchens get backed up, things happen, it's not a big deal, and the little touches like the manager being on the floor and addressing it is amazing.

The only negative is the hours are limited and they are not open on Mondays, but I can't fault them for this at all, just be sure they are open when you are heading that way.

Love this place, it is HONESTLY worth a drive across the valley no matter where you are coming from, and will be back 100 times with everyone who...