Curry Leaves Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Tampa

NO OUTDOOR DINING! If you want to eat their food safely, take out only! I came there today specifically because they have outdoor tables and because all the previous times I gave them my business, their food has been tasty. I have even recommended this place to others. TODAY, EHH: I walked in after a pleasant sunday matinee at the mall next door. Under any other circumstance, their compact dining room (literally one third of a gas station walled off) is a charming place to eat, even when over half-full as it was today. However, considering the ongoing global COVID PANDEMIC and 'fun' new aggressive variants, the size of this small room and the number of unmasked diners already seated really reinforced my preference to only eat outdoors in person. It's a sensible alternative that allows people like me to still support small businesses safely, instead of not eating out in person or paying hefty delivery fees. In fact, many other excellent restaurants in the area offer an outdoor dining option for people like me, specifically concerned about best avoiding infection or transmission to loved ones. Here that option was refused to me. THE RUN AROUND: I was told by a waiter Leejood (I guarantee my spelling is incorrect, apologies) upon entering that only indoor seating is allowed, despite the multiple tables open on their patio area. I pointed out that there's still a pandemic, and I asked him to make an exception for safety reasons or I would have to eat somewhere safer. He let me walk away. I turned back after thinking for a sec and asked to speak to the manager or supervisor, to see if someone of authority would accommodate such a seemingly simple and sensible safety request, if this waiter would not. He then claimed that the superior I wanted just left to go shopping, and he had no idea when they'd return. So I asked for the manager's name, so I could contact them later instead of waiting indefinitely for their return. Instead of giving me a name, he ran down another waiter and then proceeded to introduce him to me as the supervisor. I reminded him that I had asked for his "manager OR supervisor" only a moment before the discussion about the manager's whereabouts; to which he claimed this was the "supervisor" not the "manager,"

I asked the "supervisor" the same, i.e. can you make a simple exception on the basis of safety to allow me to dine on one of the many open tables outside. I again pointed out the ongoing pandemic risks and that that is why he and i both were wearing masks in that dining room. He then replied saying oh you will get wet outside. I pointed out that it's neither raining nor wet outside. At this point, I was getting a little tired of excuses and evasions over something so simple, so I asked for his name. He refused to give it to me, which reinforced my suspicion that this dude was just another staff member. I then asked for the manager's name, the one who supposedly just left, so I could take up the issue with them. They refused. They left me with no way to and no faith that I could - discuss a safe accommodation with any person of authority, which is just sketchy and disingenuous. NO THANKS: Anyways, I assume their food is probably just as good as it was before the pandemic. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell you, because I won't risk my or my loved ones' health supporting a business that won't even make safe accommodations, that already exist there, available during a PANDEMIC for no apparent reason. There are so many OTHER quality restaurants in the area that will, without hassle: make simple accommodations for something as common sense as customer safety OR offer a real reason why not not withhold a manager's name or availability ... and I am simply choosing to give them my money instead of the clowns on curry...

Been a huge fan of Curry Leaves since it was a delicious restaurant across the street in the gas station. A lot of times when a place gets really popular and they choose to go for an upgrade, some of its magic gets lost. Too much attention maybe goes into a good looking space and some of the essence in the cookery gets diluted or seems to take a backseat. And the magic of what made the place great to begin with goes away.

Curry Leaves IS a different restaurant now. I couldn’t find some of the dishes and sides I used to get. The onion kulcha was my favorite bread back in the day, for example. There was a delicious fish curry I used to get, the Goan fish curry I believe. Not there anymore.

Some dishes were added too: a rigatoni dish and an everything bagel seasoning naan showed me a different, broader scope was occurring in the kitchen. This isn’t always a good thing, in my opinion. Any time I see a restaurant I love shifting things dramatically I worry they might lose their voice.

This is NOT the case with Curry Leaves. They didn’t lose their essence at all. They actually perfected it. I already used to think it was up there with the best Indian food in the country when it was a cozy joint in a gas station. Now, somehow, it has taken that and turned up the volume in every meaningful way.

Restaurants are obviously not a well-oiled machine on opening weekend. Getting a hang of it. No silverware, long time between drinks being refilled, etc. But who cares?! Every single person working there greeted us with a smile, made us feel at home, seemed genuinely happy to be there. The kitchen looks so professional.

Everything else is just a little detail which will come with time. The things that really matter are a spirit of hospitality, which is palpable here and, most importantly, the food.

They’ve refined their process to a point where I was left speechless more than once. Curries with such layered complexity they had me frozen trying to figure out what was happening. Waves of cardamom followed by the soft heat of chilies and black pepper, then hints of fenugreek. Just layers upon layers of spices singing in perfect harmony. This is stuff that would make a French saucier cry. Unreal levels of depth. Properly plump prawns, fragrant rice, outstanding breads (plz bring back onion kulcha!!). Master level cooking.

Like I said, it already used to be up there with my favorite Indian food in the country. Now it’s unquestionably my favorite Indian restaurant across the board. I’ve had great Indian food in LA, NY, and London and they’re easily up there with the best of them. But Between price point, quality, taste and service, Curry Leaves is unmatched.

But not only that! I think it’s the best restaurant in Tampa Bay. There are wizards in the kitchen making mind blowing, complex, elegant, beautiful food. They deserve all the accolades. I am so happy for their success and wish them...

Normally, whenever I go the service is awesome and the food is good. Today I called and they said they would not take any Togo orders. The only thing you can do is come in and get buffet to go. He didn't even tell me what was on the buffet. The food on the buffet does not have what I normally get. It is not spicy. The food is not what I want to eat. The food on the buffet is not as good as ordering the food on the Menu. I went any way. I get there and it does not seem busy. So I ask again can I do a Togo order. I don't even care if it is extra charge because if I get the wrong food my wife won't be happy. The guy I normally deal with asked and is told no by what I think is the owner. I called my wife and she did not answer because she was busy. So I get the buffet. I get too small rice servings and the shrimp roast. It is 13 dollars. It is not what my wife wants of course. The messed up part is we have ordered there so many times Togo. My wife always loved the food. Why has the Togo orders changed recently? I have spent thousands of dollars here. I have brought friends from different countries here. I have introduced this place to many locals and my family out of state. I have also made it a point to let everyone I know in the military to check the place out. Your website doesn't say if you are busy or if you are serving buffet you can't eat off the menu or order Togo from the menu. I hope that this is solved and the ordering system is more convenient. I hope it is more consistent with experiences I have had here in the past. I wish you all the best and hope you get back to what I love about...