08/27/09

Don't Waste Your Money - Bad Food and Worse Service

by Tizzo

We went to Amma thinking it would be a jewel we can visit on a regular basis. We ordered some okra and chicken tikka masala with naan and basmati rice. The okra came in the style of shoe string fries and tasted like grass. Most Indian restaurants have chicken tikka masala as their signature dish, however, Amma's tasted like the chicken was raw and had a foul smell to it.

We spoke to the Manager who stared at us and made absolutely no attempt to bring an alternate dish or apologize for the food.

We strongly advise to stay away from this unpleasant restaurant with no concept of customer service. There are many many good Indian restaurants in the city to don't waste your money at Amma. They're also quite pricey and not at all worth it!

• Pros: None
• Cons: Bad Food Quality with No Taste and Worse Service to Indians

04/01/09

Indians not welcome

by kutchi

I've never been to amma, as a matter of fact, I live in Minneapolis and am tempted to visit it on my next visit to NYC, but from my observations and what looks like a trend in all of the reviews I've read, it looks as if though indians are not the target market; hence indians are treated rudely, and other bad experiences. I notice this every time I see an indian sounding name, email address, or even a clear statement that reads that "I'm an indian." (Reverse racism maybe?)

If this is the case then "fusion indian" amma is trying its level best to attract non-indian patrons and get them to accept their types of "indian foods."

After all whoever heard of the crazy dishes in authentic indian foods that use exotic fruits in in an entree without the heat.

How many indian homes make a "Kachumber" (salad) utilizing apples and pears? We even like our salads hot as hell!

Anyway, you indians know what I'm talking about, unfortunately for the non-indians you are being deceived to believe that us indians concoct such dishes in our homes or restaurants in India and call them " authentic indian food." There is no such thing. Either it is indian or it is not.

At best, this amma seems to portray itself as an upscale european/american restaurant with a flair by adding indian spices. I wouldn't call that very "authentic Indian." Would you agree?

• Pros: Non-Indians think this is authentic
• Cons: Indians not treated very well

02/07/09

Blown Away by the Food and Service!

by hubriis

We made a reservation at Amma during Restaurant Week. That said, we knew going into it not to have high expectations....boy, were we blown away by not only the food but the stellar, attentive service!

We started with the Tomato Rasam and Mughlai Chicken Shorba soups. The tomato soup had a wonderful afterburn and a terrific layering of flavors. The chicken soup was good, but lacked any real flavor other than chicken.

We chose the Cochin Crab Cakes (chef spices and ginger infused golden crusted patties) and Kesari Malai Tikka (chicken breast in saffron yogurt marination) appetizers and both were just wonderful. The crab cakes were light and packed with crab flavor and the malai chicken had a nice delicate flavor.

For our main course, we chose Stuffed Chicken Breast (garam masala, paneer onion tomato sauce) and Tandoori Lamb Chops (ginger garlic yogurt marination); both were served with naan, raita, Manchurian cauliflower and jackfruit biryani. The raita was fantastic! I really enjoyed the subtle spicing of the chicken and while I did not prefer the lamb (I just don't really like the flavor of some of the gamier meats) my beau declared it delicious. The other standout was the Manchurian cauliflower...we are always trying to come up with new and interesting preparations for cauliflower and this one was amazing!

We finished our meal with a trio of Kulfi and the mango cheesecake. I am a self-declared cheesecake connoisseur and the mango cheesecake was divine. The Kulfis were good as well, there was a trio of original (pistachio) flavor, strawberry and mango. While the fruit flavors were nice, I really loved the pistachio best.

We paired our meal with the optional wine flight which included a white, a red and a dessert wine. The staff was unfailingly gracious and attentive, and we truly felt as though we were their top priority. I would highly recommend Amma for great upscale Indian food.

01/27/09

amazinggg food!! soo flavorful! my 1st time trying indian food and i'm def. going back!

by catheyk

went there today for lunch for restaurant week and the food was seriously AMAZING! I don't usually write reviews but the food was just that good. Me and the bf decided to take full advantage of restaurant week and this was the 3rd restaurant we tried and it was undoubtedly the best. Whoever posted saying that the food wasn't outstanding must've ordered the wrong thing or caught them on an off day b/c the food was soo flavorful...not to mention they didn't skimp on the portions like most restaurants do for restaurant week. Everything from the soup to the dessert was wonderful and its a steal at 24.07 for 4 course meal. If you're going to try any restaurant for restaurant week--go here!! btw, you must try the chili shrimp appetizer, sea bass main course, and chicken soup! sooo goood

• Pros: amazing food, nice decor & ambience, prompt & friendly service
• Cons: noneee!

01/21/09

best wine service

by lucy123456

the food is awesome. the wine service is very attentive. the way the wine person choose the wine for you feels like he is taking care of you..doesnot feel like he is trying to sell hi wine.. he recommended a very good reserve wine for us. thanks to him..

• Pros: restaurant size
• Cons: busy place

11/21/08

awesome service and food

by james1840

yesterday, we 4 friends planned to go to dine at Amma restaurent. place is little small. the food is little different from what other indian restaurent serve. the wine selection and the wine service was above the expectation. above all we had a good time. sometimes when it gets little busy then the service might be little slow however it is a small place, so considering that its worthit to visit atleast once.

• Pros: very homely service
• Cons: little small place

11/13/08

Worst food quality, Poor Service.

by infinitybeyond

Read rave reviews and picked this place for dinner with colleagues. Smallest restaurant I have ever been to. They could not give decent table for a modest party of 6. Service was all talk and no substance. Even talk was gibberish and very hard to understand in loud cramped sitting environment. They had only 1 bottle of the wine of our choice. The next alternatives recommended were twice our original cost. We were told that our wine was not available - and the waiter didn't know what we were drinking - uh?

They tried hard to wrap bad food in fancy package (crow in peacock feather comes to mind). We ordered tasting menu. Lot of quantity, no quality - I felt sick in the restaurant and 2 more courses were yet to arrive.

When the bill arrived, it had standard print - recommended gratuity 18%, but it had 20% applied to it. The quality of food and service were competing very hard with each other to under perform each other. I should have known this to be a trap when I was asked to provide credit card information at the time of reservation - shackles, they wanted to make sure I did not slip out.

To be avoided under all circumstances.

• Pros: Hard to come up with
• Cons: Small sitting area, crowded, loud, poor service, poor food, high priced

11/10/08

very spicy!!

by sharmagirl

If your in the mood for good food and lots of spice, check this place out. Although a little pricy, considering everything I was more than satisfied. The service is extremely friendly, and don't be afraid to ask for reccomendations. I had the colossal spiced halibut which was absolutely delicious. Only thing is the place is a little small, and the decorations are a bit cheesy, considering I am Indian and more than qualified to be ridiculing this type of thing. In addition, if you are walking to fast along this street you could possible miss it, b/c there only a small sign and stairs that leaf to a porch where the small sign is located.

• Pros: Great Food
• Cons: Loud and small

11/10/08

Fantasic Night Out at Amma

by JuliefromNJ

Amazing food and customer service. My husband and I dined at Amma for my birthday and were very well taken care of by the staff. We were served a house appetizer as well as one that we ordered. I had the Butter Chicken and my husband had the Lamb Chops. Both dishes were outstanding! Even better than the food was the customer service. We never once had to ask for anything, the staff was very observant and could anticipate our every need. They also surprised me with singing happy birthday and giving me a mango cheesecake on the house. I would definately recommend this place! It is a little bit spendy, but well worth it.

-Julie

• Pros: great customer service. friendly staff. mouth-watering food

10/28/08

Not good........many better Indian restaurants in the city.

by gukya

This place is just bad. I was taken here on a date so I don't know about the pricing, but the food is not very good at all. I'm Indian so I know what good Indian food should taste like and this definitely is not it. Save your time and go elsewhere.