Masala Kraft Cafe — Restaurant in Town of Greenburgh

• This could be one-off bad experience. It was our first and last visit. *

My wife, son, and I visited the restaurant on 05/29/2022 (Sunday before the Memorial day). My wife had read the about the background story on owner's life and shared with me. We both found it very inspirational and wanted to meet her and the place had great reviews. So this is how we ended up at the place even though it was almost an hour drive for us.

We reached the restaurant and 2pm and were told there was 1/2 hour wait. Since there is no place to wait inside, my wife gave her cell phone number and we were standing outside. About an hour later, we saw people who had come after us were going in and being seated. My wife asked the host about what happened! His answer was, "I called you but you didn't respond. Now you have to wait 30 minutes more." She checked recent calls on here phone and no one had called. In any case, we did not want to argue. My son and I wanted to go to the pizza place across the street and come back home but my wife convinced us to wait a little longer. Finally, we were seated at 3:20 pm. My wife son ordered Medu Vada and Chili Cheese. My wife ordered Medu Vada and Rava Dosa. I ordered just Rava Dosa.

After a little wait came Chili Cheese which was excellent. A little later came 2 orders of Medu Vada. According to my wife, who is from southern part of India, these were very good too except that the quantity of Sambhar and the Coconut chutney (barely enough to eat one vada let alone the 3 in one serving). I am type 1 diabetic and, by this time, I was almost dizzy from lack of carbs while waiting for my order. Finally, the two Rava Dosa orders were served around 4 pm. Guess what - totally cold and hard as a rock, once again, served with two very small dishes of Sambhar and the Coconut chutney. Don't take my word for it, ask anyone who is from the southern part of India and they will have a good laugh. It was difficult to swallow for me and I could eat only 1/2, however, I had taken the insulin for the whole serving. I had to compensate with glucose tablets to avoid going hypoglycemic.

We asked for additional napkins and we were given exactly 2 (my son and I split and shared one while my wife took the other whole one). My wife asked the host about the quantity of Sambhar and Chutney, she was told it was so to avoid waste. Absolutely great idea to avoid waste but 2 napkins for 3 guests and additional charge for extra Sambhar or Chutney on already high prices! I guess they have taken the waste reduction a bit too far.

The final straw was when the check came. There was a fixed minimum gratuity of 15% but it was no time to argue. I offered my credit card to the host and I was told, "We prefer cash". Now, I was not carrying $100+ in cash but assumed "prefer" does not mean mandatory and offered my card again and met with the same "We prefer cash" response again. Finally, it dawned on me that he means it is mandatory. This is when I enquired about nearby ATM machines but the host took pity on us and decided to take the credit card with a stern warning that this was one time deal only!

Before writing this review, I went back to the website to see if it says "cash only" anywhere but it does not. The part of the website which takes online orders shows all the prominent credit cards as mode of payment.

This was one of our worst experiences at a restaurant and there was a consensus to not try this...

Updated review: September 2022 Editing my review to reflect recent experiences.

I have been back to Masala Kraft Cafe a few times Post Hurricane Ida and the food and service has been disappointing.

The food is so over spiced. The subtle brilliant notes of Indian spices that once flavored the food are overpowered with chilis. I love spicy food but not at the expense flavor. In addition, items like the naan as well as the aloo/potatoes were overcooked making the dosas dry and not worth eating. There are a few appetizers that still worth ordering: the mixed pakoda and the lasooni gobi.

I also miss the hands on, high touch service. In the past, they accommodated dietary restrictions. During my recent visit, I was told they could not make changes. I wonder if the place is under new management.

Sad to see such a great place take a turn. July 2021: Masala Kraft Cafe is a vegan and Indian food gem. The owner Jess has created a wonderful homey restaurant with classic comfort Indian food such as dosas, lasooni gobi, pakoda with creamy yummy lassis to accompany the food. The spices and favors in the curries and the sambhar are delicious. And if you are not accustom to spicy food no worries, just let Sonia, the fabulous wait staff or Jess know and they can keep the heat down while preserving the flavorful taste. Oh and try the quinoa salad if you want something a little different than the traditional Indian dishes.

I discovered this place on my birthday and (auntie) Jess and Sonia create such a great dining experience for me and my family. My vegan tummy was so happy especially when the birthday homemade mango ice cream with 10 nuts and fresh mango came out with a candle on it.

I highly recommend Masala Kraft Cafe. Between the wait staff, the service and food you will not be disappointed.

Enjoying the dosa and some mango...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Masala Kraft Cafe, and I must say it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The customer service provided was absolutely outstanding, making me feel welcomed and valued from the moment I stepped through the door.

The staff at Masala Kraft Cafe went above and beyond to ensure that my dining experience was nothing short of extraordinary. They were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu, making excellent recommendations that suited my preferences perfectly. Their warm and genuine smiles added an extra touch of hospitality, making me feel like a cherished guest throughout my visit.

Now, let’s talk about the food at Masala Kraft Cafe - it was simply outstanding! Each dish was a delightful masterpiece bursting with authentic flavors and expertly prepared. The menu showcased a variety of Indian delicacies, and I was impressed by the attention to detail in every dish. From the aromatic spices to the vibrant colors, it was clear that the chefs at Masala Kraft Cafe take immense pride in their culinary creations.

What truly sets Masala Kraft Cafe apart is their commitment to using high-quality ingredients and maintaining consistency in taste. The dishes I enjoyed during my visit were a testament to their dedication to excellence in every aspect of their culinary offerings. I highly recommend Masala Kraft Cafe for anyone seeking a remarkable dining experience. From the exceptional customer service to the outstanding food, this establishment excels in every way. Whether you’re a connoisseur of Indian cuisine or simply looking to explore new flavors, Masala Kraft Cafe is a must-visit...