BASANTI — Restaurant in San Juan Capistrano

Did I just land in Mumbai? Basanti is as real as it gets. My local hangout and could eat here everyday - sometimes hitting this place up 3-4x per week (I’m not the only one - the number of Uber Eats guys who show up at dinner time is insane and at times, I’m the odd one out in a restaurant full of Mubaians). This place holds it own in a smaller community with no shortage of restaurants and located on the other side of the railroad tracks, literally, where many tourists venture/land given the train station and location of Mission SanJuan. Everything cooked to order (love that I can hang with the locals - authentic staff - and handle the same, if not more spice then they especially for a white chick from the Midwest) including no spice for little people, like my twin grandkids who devour the buttered naan and tandoori chick. The owner, first generation (I think) and the nicest most humble guy (he recognized me at another San Juan hangout then bought my glass of wine) just wants you to have the most pleasurable dining experience enjoying cuisine he’s passionate about. My favs: buttered naan, roasted beet salad, lentil soup, and chicken korma, extra spice. The world’s a big place so get out there…or at least venture to the other side of the train tracks or even stay home (#ubereats) and reap the same benefits of good food and...

Overall: Great food. A little high on the price side. Good service. Great location (for all the far South OC'ers, this is your closest and best place).

It's been awhile since I've been to an Indian restaurant and even longer since I've been to a good one, at least for my American tastes :) I was fortunate to get my itch for some good Indian food scratched at Basanti.

Small but cozy restaurant with limited parking ("free" valet in the plaza though). The ambiance was fairly basic but not threadbare--good enough atmosphere.

No large waits but the restaurant was full when we arrived on a Sat. night. Restaurant runs a pretty tight shop when it comes to staff. I can see how that can lead to consistency issues in service or food if they get slammed with orders both dine in and take out. It was moderately busy but I think they handled it fairly well.

Food: Chicken Tikka Masala - Great (comes with Basmati rice side) Tandoori Chicken - Great Mango Lassi - great. On the thick side but I liked it. If you want it less thick you can water it down to the desired viscosity (I totally just went there).

I really liked the food but for the price to portion ratio there was a little to be desired.

I'll have this place saved for my goto Indian joint, especially given its location in far...

Great food and atmosphere,authentic Indian food seriously. Highly recommend you come here and try the food. The service is absolutely fantastic and they are highly detail oriented and provide you real service. By far the best Indian restaurant in Orange County and I would say LA County. The bread is amazing and the desert Gulaab Jamun is just the right amount to give you a sweet taste at the end of your meal. At the end of my photos, you can see the well kept, gorgeously decorated location.

Everything is well kept and the tables are very nicely decorated and have nice music and tvs with Bollywood dancing playing just at the right sound level. The chairs also have cute little cushions that aid to back support when sitting down.

By far the best Indian restaurant I have tried, and I have tried...