Upscale indian restaurants to host a party - Peninsula or South Bay
I am looking to host a suprise birthday party for my husband and wanted to see if there are upscale Indian restaurants to do so? I will be footing the bill for the party, so nothing extravagant, but I want something decent. Comparable to Sakoon (Castro, Mountain View) or Arka (Sunnyvale). Nothing in the city, since there will be kids involved and I don't want parents to go through the hassle of parking and what not.
Prefer Peninsula (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Mountain View) or South Bay. Would consider Fremont also.
Thanks!
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Thanks, everyone for your input. While Sakoon is definitely a nice place, I prefer someplace with interesting and creative menu items. I liked Arka and have already enquired into their party menu, but am disappointed to know that their party menu is nothing like their standard menu.
I have to disagree with all those who say Turmeric is a good, and to add, an upscale restaurant. Turmeric has boring, run of the mill dishes, and in no sense of the word, is Turmeric upscale. I like Indian food for the flavor and spices and if a restaurant tries to dumb it down for western taste preferences, there is no point to trying new cuisines.
I like Amber in Mountain View, have not been to the Santana Row location, will try them soon. I did like their menu, so I will definitely try them out.
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re: sfbunney
Turmeric once upon a time was good, creative, and upscale, but I haven't been in quite a while so I'm not up to date. Sorry for the outdated information.
If you want more creative dishes, Amber Dhara in Palo Alto and All Spice in San Mateo may be the best bets, but I don't know what their party capabilities are. All Spice probably wouldn't work so well since it's a converted house with lots of smaller rooms. Amber in Santana Row may work too but that's another place I haven't been to in a while. Amber Dhara isn't so much creative as offering different, delicious regional dishes that I've never seen in the Bay Area before.
Another possibility would be Madhuban in Sunnyvale - that's the larger location, not the smaller one in San Jose. It too has a nice atmosphere and some more creative dishes.
Enjoy - there are lots of good choices out there!
Michael
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re: sfbunney
I was hesitant to reply with some of the more upscale, fusion places because you didn't want anything "extravagant". We recently dined at Mantra in Palo Alto and enjoyed most everything. Saag paneer, great naan, lamb seekh kabob (love presentation on cinnamon stick) and wonderful quinoa kofta curry. Felt chicken tikka masala tasted more like regular curry than tandoori flavored (didn't have familiar sweet/creamy taste). Dining companions liked it though. Tandoori sea bass seemed a little too fishy for our taste. Service was great.
All Spice in San Mateo - haven't been; DH went for business dinner & loved it.
Amber Dhara - haven't been to this new outpost of Amber restaurant empire in former Junnoon location in Palo Alto.
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re: ceekskat
bbulkow
Apr 5, 2012 06:08 PM
Mantra, I love it, I hate it. Their menu has simplified unfortunately in the last few years, and they've never had the brightest and boldest spice mixtures. The private room at Junoon would be my top mark for this, but I haven't (either) tried the Amber Dhara incarnation.
I've only had a little bit at Arka, and while I love the decor and the belgian beer selection, I don't love the food. The SJ Metro review a few weeks back says what needs saying.
http://www.sanjose.com/restaurants/ar...Frankly, I don't think there is an indian restaurant that's upscale with great food in the south bay.
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Hmm . . . well when I read the title, I was planning to suggest Sakoon, but now I'm at a loss!
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The Menu - Artisan Food of India is a new upscale Indian place in Mountain View with plenty of room for private parties (www.themenuindia.com). It's in the same space that Southern Spice and Swagat used to have on El Camino west of San Antonio, but it's remodeled and nicer. Passage of India really isn't in the same category food wise as The Menu, Arka, Sakoon, Amber India, Amber Dhara, or Turmeric.
Michael
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re: mdg
How is Passage of India "not in the same category" as Tumeric? They both provide satisfactory Indian buffets with North Indian food with some more interesting dishes thrown in. I haven't sensed some huge gulf in food quality or in specialties between them. In terms of atmosphere, there also doesn't seem to be a big difference.
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re: goldangl95
The Chef at Turmeric is truly talented, but the inevitable 'dumbing down' of the food for the generic Sunnyvale Indian crowd does happen, which has disappointed me on occasion.
I would suggest a conversation with the chef, and a request for your favorite dishes a day in advance..!!
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re: bigger_eyes
There is a particular cauliflower dish I tasted during a private event at the restaurant & at a catered dinner in someone's home & it is one of the best vegetarian dishes, Indian or otherwise, I've ever had. I believe it's dum gobhi (whole baked cauliflower) but don't see it on the online menu (haven't eaten there a la carte).
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Agree on Amber India & Turmeric recs; however, I too am curious as to the elimination of Sakoon.
ETA: there's also Amber Santana Row. Forgot to mention that Turmeric holds their private parties upstairs so you'll be completely separated from rest of restaurant which is a plus.
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re: General_Tso
The Chowhound Team
Apr 5, 2012 09:17 AM
Sorry, we don't have a built in PM system. If it's something food related, please ask the question publicly so everyone can benefit from the answer. If it's not food related, you can leave an email address (use a web-based throw-away email if you don't want to reveal your main address) and ask him to contact you.
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