457730 Tue Nov 06 05:18:10 -0800 2007 12 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 3099070 Some friends and I are looking at a place to get together for the holidays, just to celebrate and enjoy each other's company. We have limited our choices to either The Helmand or Ambassador Dining room. I've heard great things about each. We're primarily concerned with it being moderately priced and casual-to-business casual atmosphere. If you had to pick, which one would you go to? Appreciate the help! Thanks!!! Tue Nov 06 05:18:10 -0800 2007 84234 jrussd 1 3099080 I've been to both, and if I had to choose I'd choose The Helmand. It has the atmosphere you described, and I prefer the food there. Tue Nov 06 05:24:08 -0800 2007 3099070 81915 sistereurope 1 3099126 I agree with sistereurope. Food at the Ambassador is only okay, even if the atmosphere is lovely. The food at the Helmand is some of my favorite in town. Tue Nov 06 05:52:15 -0800 2007 3099070 108036 matt8313 1 3099218 I like both. I like Helmand better. Tue Nov 06 06:37:21 -0800 2007 3099070 12059 ko1 2 3099319 I need to agree with the above posters. If you're going for atmosphere, it's The Ambassador hands down, but the food is just mediocre. The food is fantastic at the Helmand, and the atmosphere is 'nice.' Tue Nov 06 07:05:37 -0800 2007 3099218 54408 baltoellen 1 3099610 Guess I'm in the minority then. While I do enjoy the food @ the Helmand, the menu is smaller and thus, more limiting than the Ambassador. Plus, I really love the the space of the Ambassador, I find the Helmand to be a little more cramped and noisy. Tue Nov 06 08:17:43 -0800 2007 3099070 83353 aussiewonder 2 3100511 I agree, Helmand = noisy. Not the place I'd go to catch up with friends, in that respect. You do get better food and better value at The Helmand. Tue Nov 06 11:47:59 -0800 2007 3099610 11285 paulyr 1 3100245 I'd go with the Helmand in the winter, since the best time to eat at the Ambassador is in the summer when the garden is in full bloom. But, really, either one is a good choice, especially if you are dining with vegetarians. And if you go to the Helmand, please oh please try the pumpkin appetizer. It is so good. Tue Nov 06 10:51:13 -0800 2007 3099070 134861 kcnkate 2 3100576 The pumpkin definitely is a must-have, as are the lambchops, IMHO. Tue Nov 06 12:02:03 -0800 2007 3100245 12059 ko1 3 3101410 All of the comments are accurate. helmand has better food and value, but, in good weather, The Amb is a lovely place. I have also had service probs there Tue Nov 06 15:38:39 -0800 2007 3100576 49606 tartuffe 1 3102541 The Helmand is exceedingly noisy. I go there perhaps every two months, and it's always crowded and deafening, which one doesn't really expect from a restaurant of the Helmand's caliber and its clientele. But the lack of barriers and poor acoustics makes talking to your fellow diners difficult at times. I'm not sure why people describe the food at the Ambassador as mediocre-it's a place I also frequent on a regular basis and I'm always satisfied. The menu represents your typical rich North Indian restaurant foods found at most Indian restaurants, but without the excessive oil and grease one sometimes find. That said, the Ambassador is certainly more expensive than the Helmand, and the latter is probably the best bargain for its price range in Baltimore (if you can tolerate the noise). Wed Nov 07 05:30:57 -0800 2007 3099070 81926 Roland Parker 1 3102921 In addition to the acoustics, IMO the overall ambiance esp the furnishings (large, comfy chairs) are more inviting to a long and leisurely meal @ the Ambassador. The chairs @ the Helmand aren't the kind you can relax into with a cocktail and catch up. That being said, I also think the Ambassador is really cosy and festive during the holiday season. With all this talk about the ambience, don't think that I don't go for the food too, it's delisch! Wed Nov 07 07:55:11 -0800 2007 3099070 83353 aussiewonder 2 3104677 Rhe Ambas is a very nice place to eat. The food has no excitement at all. In b=more the various Bombays and Akbar (to a lesser extent) do have food you want to go out for. Wed Nov 07 15:02:28 -0800 2007 3102921 49606 tartuffe