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Amber India
Category: Restaurants Indian Indian [Edit]
2290 W El Camino RealMountain View, CA 94040
(650) 968-7511
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Mizz R. said: "Since Amma's is a South Indian establishment, I think it's fair to say that they deserve the 4 *STARS*. Rating them for the Indo-Chinese - yes!! 4 *STARS* If I had to rate them by the other dishes they have on their menu, I'm afraid…" read more »
632 reviews for Amber India
Review Highlights
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"Definitely the best butter chicken I've ever had." In 183 reviews -
"The garlic basil naan is excellent." In 21 reviews -
"I highly recommend the lunch buffet." In 111 reviews
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632 reviews in English
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Review from Emily M.
5/18/2012
I used to go to this place for special lunches back in the day, a couple employers ago. I remember a great birthday lunch with coworkers. I love their famous butter chicken. Recently, we've tried a bunch of breads and mushroom muttar, lentils, Goan fish, and garbanzo curry. All were quite tasty, with their own flavor. Their samosas are the best I've had anywhere - usually they are full of dense pasty potato, but Amber's are moist, with individual chunks of tasty potato. Yum.
The restaurant's decor is lovely, but the outside is so deceiving. The strip mall they're in is quite sad looking. My coworkers and I used to laugh a little about this when we visited - the first time someone introduced us to the place we were a bit skeptical.
They lose a star for prices, though... It's quite costly for a smallish portion of anything. Luckily, I can use my Betterworks account through work to get food for free (to me)! :D -
Review from Janice C.
Mountain View, CA
5/24/2012
I came here last night with a friend for dinner as I had a http://restaurant.com coupon for this place.
I've actually been to Amber India several times before previously and have always had impecable service along with tasty food. However, this time, my experience has turned for the worse =/.
After we were seated and ordered, I pulled up my coupon on my cellphone and showed it to the server per the coupon instructions. However, the waiter insisted the coupon had to be printed out and pulled the manager over to speak with us. The manager also insisted the coupon had to be printed out when the app stated the restaurant just had to write down the certificate code and call in instead.
The manager was very rude and after stating this, walked off and ignored our table. My friend and I decided that after such rude service that we would not eat here anymore.
I'm very disappointed in Amber India's service as they are the ones who chose to advertise with http://restaurant.com and if they cannot follow the policies set forth by http://restaurant.com, then they shouldn't sign up with http://restaurant.com. -
Review from Karen C.
La Jolla, CA
5/18/2012
Would get four stars but is too a little too expensive for my liking. Shared Chicken Tikka Masala, Palak Paneer, and Tandoori Salmon with rice and garlic naan. Chicken and salmon were a little too dry. Palak paneer was delicious.
Service was good
Decor was pretty uppity
I'm kind of thrifty and don't really care about atmosphere that much, so I'd rather go to Darbar given a choice. -
Review from James W.
Menlo Park, CA
Updated - 5/25/2012
Just an update from my last review... I've been a few more times recently as I live on the penninsula now and being from the UK I know good Indian food and Amber never fails to deliver mind blowing food! If you like Indian, you will LOVE Amber.
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Review from Tamara A.
Palo Alto, CA
5/25/2012
Had dinner here a few weeks ago. I thought the prices were entirely too high. We ordered the Ceylon Chicken Curry which I thought was not very flavorful. We also got the Rogan Josh, which was better and the lamb was very nice and very tender.
Maybe we just picked expensive items but our entrees were $15.95 and $18.95. I do not think the food was better than places with $12.95 entrees, which I think is more appropriate.
And is it just me, I don't want the waiter to scoop my food out of the serving dishes onto my plate?? -
Review from Sue Ellen E.
Santa Clara, CA
5/4/2012
This location is not easy to find. We drove right past it several times. Ironically, their sign, among the names of other stores in the strip mall, is bright red and white but we kept missing it as we were wearing shades! The parking lot was packed during lunchtime so we had to park in the next lot over.
My first impression of the restaurant was of wanting to turn and run the hell out. The crowds waiting for tables were ear-splitting, and there didn't seem to be anyone working. No one was at the reception station and I couldn't tell who was waiting for a table and who was waiting to pay (later found that payment happens at the dining tables). The chaos of it was a turnoff, especially after knowing the serene ambiance of the Santana Row Amber India, but we were celebrating a friend's birthday so we stuck around.
Finally another waiting patron pointed out that I needed to go get on the waiting list, which I did during one of the hostess' rare appearances. From there, it took about 15-20. The white tablecloths were nice, as was the minimal decor. Not at all like the fancy branch, but I expected that from reading the reviews.
Unfortunately they wouldn't allow the option of ordering from the menu, and said we could ONLY do buffet, so one in our party didn't eat (except for the naan on the table). That was a shame and I just wasn't buying their explanation: they usually allow it, but it was "too busy" to do it that day. Um, the crowds thinned out rather quickly after we were seated, and we pretty much had the place to ourselves. They couldn't accommodate a single menu order? I wouldn't have selected this restaurant had I known.
The buffet was delicious, albeit limited. It's a very small place and I think they set out as much as they possibly could without hanging food from the ceiling. No complaints about the food. It was odd that no one asked if we wanted to order drinks, so we brought up the subject of mango lassis and they brought them out, no problem. But we got the cold shoulder when pointing out that the bill reflected four buffets, when only three were ordered. They changed it, begrudgingly. The waiter also seemed flummoxed when we requested a refill on naan. Is that really so unusual to them?
I got extremely full and no digestive problems -- always a great sign with a buffet! -- and the birthday girl loved her food, so that was wonderful. Not sure we'd come back to this one. A weekday lunch buffet for $14 is steep and we're spoiled by the fantastical loveliness of the Santana Row date-worthy site.Listed in: Best Eats, Yelp Finds, Indian Food
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Review from Madalina B.
San Jose, CA
5/14/2012
Appears to be another of countless Indian restaurants on El Camino, in a small parking lot next to a nail salon. We were surprised to find it has won some accolades (SF Chronicle Bay area top 100). The restaurant has a nice feel to the inside, white tablecloths and professional and courteous host and service staff. The food is moderately priced (slightly higher than average Indian restaurants in area, standard meat entrees $15-$25) and a carefully constructed menu (not overwhelmingly large, but covers all classics and has a large selection of both vegetarian and meats (including chicken, goat, lamb, seafood).
For more details (and other reviews) check out our blog:
http://benninabay.blog... -
Review from Michael G.
Santa Clara, CA
5/1/2012
Well, I took the plunge. After being jeered and taunted by my co-workers for never partaking in Indian cuisine, for my friend Will's Birthday I said YES....to Indian food!!
However, I am not a true believer by any stretch. It was mildly enjoyable, however it seemed my co-workers thought it was awesome.
The rice was tasty, and the 2 chicken dishes I had, butter chicken (no butter whatsoever I might add) and grilled spicey chicken along with their bread called Naan turned out to be an ok lunch. Now mind you I find many of the smells that emanate from Indian food to be somewhat repulsive so this review is less a fair and balanced review and more personal opinion.
The service was stellar, and the staff was incredibly nice.
Easy to get to and plenty of parking.
Will I eat Indian food again? Not by my own accord. I feel the same way about sushi; it was something I can now say I did, but a repeat performance is slim to none.
I will now return to my previously preferred cusine, which for tonight means grilled teryaki chicken, brown rice and grilled veggies. -
Review from Ada W.
Palo Alto, CA
4/10/2012
Wow. Never been a fan of Indian food, well, until tonight.
We ordered like 8-9 dishes to share plus several serving of different Naan bread.
All the curries were done just right. Rich enough but not too oily or overpowering. Perhaps they have taken a notch down to cater to non-Indian like myself? Anyway, the best dish (to me), was that sizzling plate of chicken, prawns and vegetables. Don't remember the name as I didn't order that. Yum.
My constraints tonight was the fact that I was meeting some new friends, so that could only mean one thing: I had to eat with manners. Yes, "sharing" and only take 1 piece each time the plate passes my hand. Oh, and no matter how much you want to help yourself with seconds, a long table means you can't reach unless you ask for it to be passed. Next time, will come back with just the family, so I can pig out and eat however I want.=)
Walked out the restaurant and felt mixed. On one hand, love the food I devoured. On another hand, this meal more than offset at least 3 days' worth of calories burned at the gym. Literally, 2 steps forward and 1 step back. -
Review from Jim T.
Walnut Creek, CA
5/13/2012
The original Amber India, before they started to expand and become trendy club-like restaurants. While all of the other Amber India restaurants serve great food, this menu has not been changed -- it is more traditional than the one's in SF and Santana Row, but just as good (if not better, in my view).
If you wondering where to start on the menu, I have two words for you -- Butter Chicken. Outside of that, their Navratnan Korma rocks, and so does their Lamb Vindaloo (if you like spicy). Equally, Saag dishes aren't overly salted, like many other restaurants I've eaten at in the area.
They are one of the few Indian restaurants i have ever seen do tandoori lobster - which rocks by the way. Although I am gluten free, I have heard the Naan is to die for -- especially the stuffed Naans (i.e. frontier naan). That being said, everything else on the menu is pretty much gluten free -- just tell them beforehand.
Anyway, it's hard for me to drive by this place when I am in the Mountain View area and not stop in to get takeout for my wife and I.
I'm a big fan of this place -- and a side note... it was also the first Indian restaurant I tried, where I fell in love and had a 3 times a week affair with Indian curries. MMMmmmm Butter Chicken... -
Review from Kevin O.
San Mateo, CA
5/20/2012
Dinner was excellent and timed perfectly. Staff was adequately attentive and courteous.
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Review from Malisa D.
Sunnyvale, CA
5/1/2012
The Biryanti rice plates are all good, they have a spicy after taste which I like. I really enjoyed the Tandoori Chicken salad; the walnut raisins give you a yummy surprise causing you to want more and more. The Sea Bass Tikka was different, I've never had sea bass cooked this way before, so if you like fish and want your tastebuds to enjoy it cooked in spices, try this. However, the Seekh Kebab (lamb) and Chicken Ka Tikki were just too plain for me. You had to literally drench them with the sauces in order to enjoy it. Also please do not get the Gulab Juman for dessert, unless you want something that taste like a wet ball of cinnamon with sugar water.
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Review from Ritz T.
San Mateo, CA
5/19/2012
Not all that great. Biryani is hopeless
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Review from Leily P.
Oakland, CA
3/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
I normally frequent Passage to India while I'm in the South Bay and craving Indian food, but decided this time I would try something different. Based on the number of reviews as well as the number of positive ones, I expected deliciousss food.
Overall I felt that the selection wasn't great, and the price was the same ($16 for lunch buffet during the weekend). Even worse, it's smaller so it's really crowded. There is always a line for the food. The highlights were the palak paneer, butter chicken, and tandoori chicken. I tried a bit of the fish curry, and it had a really weird taste to it. Normally when I stack my plate with lots of curry, it somehow always tastes good. This time it definitely did not. I don't see myself returning. -
Review from Jenny K.
Sunnyvale, CA
3/8/2012
Great food, exceptional service, and always clean! I love the clean, white tablecloths, and the ambient, dim/orange-y light is perfect for a cozy meal with the ones you love! I've gone to their lunch buffets a couple of times, which was great to try out different things that I don't normally order when I come here for dinner. Gotta get here early to miss the lunch rush, though!
I come here with my boyfriend, usually, and everybody I have brought with me, CRAVES the food and wants to go back asap! As a base, I usually like to order the garlic and basil naan, rice, MY FAVORITE sukhi bhindi (spiced okra with onions! the menu says it's seasonal, but they always have it every time I order it!), butter chicken (of course, because it's the best!), chandani gosht (Tender chunks of lamb cooked in cardamom, cashew nuts in a smooth rich gravy - SO GOOD), and then anything else my friends would like to order. But usually, they leave it up to me to order. So, when it's just the two of us, we usually have leftovers to take home, which I love to do, but this could feed 4 people, normally.
We've become recognizable to the staff since we've come here so often, and they've always treated us great, from the get-go!
Keep up the great job!!!!
OH! And if you want to eat here on a Friday night, make a reservation in advance because it can get busy! -
Review from Linh L.
3/7/2012
I'm going to put it out there - best Indian food in Mountain View. My roommates and I come here pretty regularly, and I'm always happy with the food I get. The curries just have a more complex, richer flavor than a lot of other Indian places in the area. Some stand-bys for my roommates and me: butter chicken, paneer elaichi pasanda (a superior alternative to paneer tikka masala), and navratan korma (tastes like a cream of vegetable soup!). The biryani is also good, but more ordinary.
A lot of people have mentioned the lunch buffet, which will definitely fill you up with all the available options. The buffet versions aren't as good as ordering individual items though. There's also a take-out option for when you don't want to sit-down in their classy digs - if you live nearby, I'd recommend this as the wait can get pretty busy during lunch/dinner rushes. -
Review from Lorene C.
San Francisco, CA
4/12/2012
This is hands down the best Indian food I've ever had. And it was healthy although we did order a few very rich dishes. I went with a group of 6, we were never out of our chai tea or water as the waiters were attentive on the refills. We were dining with vegetarians and I mention this because I love hot wings... but we ordered this kind of spiced cauliflower dish and I kid you NOT... they tasted exactly like hot wings you'd get at a bar, although obviously much healthier. It was amazing. I also had a rich cheese and tomato dish and the tandori chicken. We all shared family style so I tried at least 6 different dishes and I was in heaven though entire time. It really was such a treat and I highly encourage you to go out of your way to dine here.
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Review from Lis B.
1/28/2012
Used to come here a ton and over the years have tapered off. This is partly due to the fact that there are closer Indian places to my house, and partly due to the fact that every time I came, it was packed to the gills with a ridiculously long wait. Now, that there were so many people waiting might be a signal that the food is amazing, and I must say, the food is quite good. It's pretty heavily spiced, which I like, but sometimes the flavors are a bit muddled. Cardamom is sometimes used to excess. It's also pricey. $14.95 for the lunch buffet (up from $12.95 a few years ago) isn't cheap, especially when there are places at almost the same quality for $11.95.
The space is nicely appointed, with vibrant colors and pretty linens. There is one main room and one side room; both rooms are further divided into sections, allowing for some privacy. Servers are attentive. Obviously, they don't need to be that attentive at the buffet, but at dinnertime, it's nice to have a server who's there when you need him. -
Review from Sunny W.
2/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
I can't give this place a full 3 stars....2.5 at most.
It was a bust for me, a heavy bust especially from my expectations for a place with an overall 4 star rating on Yelp. I wasn't expecting to be blown out of the water, but I did expect to enjoy most of the dishes I normally get.
Came here on a weekday for buffet lunch and tried most of the usual dishes (butter chicken, curry, aloo goobi, etc.). The taste just didn't make me want more but I did enjoy the PALAK PANEER.
The NAAN...oh the naan.....I love naan and I did not like it here. Flattened too thin that most pieces were too crispy to have the right texture. Sigh...so disappointed. I can't even begin to describe how disappointed I was...
On top of the less than stellar food...the prices! More expensive than most Indian buffets.
PARKING:
Crammed in a shared lot
SPACE:
**Tables fill the inside and every open space.
**Didn't like that the buffet is separated in two sections --the chicken and fish curries were put with the desserts! By the time any of us noticed, our plates where full. WTH. -
Review from Andrew W.
Updated - 2/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
$15 for lunch buffet. A little too expensive for what you get. I enjoy the butter chicken. I also like the palak paneer (creamed spinach with farmer's cheese) and the aloo goobi (potatoes and cauliflower). But, everything was too salty. The gulab jamun had a weird aftertaste. The fish curry is a bit on the bland side. I do not recommend the lunch buffet. The menu changes so it is hard to recommend dishes for dinner. But, I had a good crab dish and a good fish dish here at dinner time.
The service is still very good. And, it has a nice business/professional ambiance. I just wish the food was a bit more consistent.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/11/2009
This may be the finest Indian food near Palo Alto. The dishes have a nice balance to them and are… Read more »
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Review from Stephanie S.
Fremont, CA
2/22/2012
The boyfriend and I came here a couple weeks ago since we haven't had Indian food in a while. I only saw that it had good ratings on Yelp, but didn't know it was more on the pricier range. The decor and ambiance is very nice and elegant. Definitely somewhere you'd like to bring a date or have an intimate family dinner. It's quiet and the lighting is dim.
We ordered the chicken tikka masala and another chicken dish and some garlic and basil naan. When the dishes came out, we were a bit taken back because the price range here was higher than other Indian restaurants, but the portions are tiny. But you get what you pay for, right? The chicken was super tender and the sauce was very flavorful. I want to say it's the best-cooked (I can't say if it's authentic) Indian food we've tried. The garlic and basil naan was to-die-for though, so delicious.
Even though the food was really good, I'm still on the fence about going back here often because of the portion size compared to the price. Everything else though... I recommend it! -
Review from Matt V.
Sunnyvale, CA
2/27/2012
Amber India had a great feel to it.
Modern art hangs from the walls. Chandeliers hang from the ceilings. White table cloths hang from the tables. Everything about the restaurant feels modern and fresh.
Although the restaurant is modern, the food is traditional. (If you prefer a more modern, fusion-style menu, check out their sister-restaurant, Amber Dhara.) I ordered the mirch ka gosht, which was a lamb cooked in peppercorns, green chillies, ginger, and saffron. The menu advertised it as "spicy hot."
When it came out, it had a good enough flavor to it, but it wasn't as spicy or flavorful as I expected. Also, the lamb was a bit tough. Overall, though, the flavor of the saffron really came alive with the spiciness of the chillies and the peppercorns. I liked it.
What I liked more than the lamb was the garlic basil naan that I ordered alongside it. The naan itself had an excellent flavor, and it tasted very good when dipped in my curry from the mirch ka gosht. I think I preferred the curry with the naan even over the curry with the lamb (as it was intended)!
Service was also quite delightful. Every staff member I encountered was smiling, and friendly toward.
Overall, Amber India makes for a pretty good outing! -
Review from Michael T.
Los Angeles, CA
3/20/2012
This is without a doubt the best Indian restaurant in the Bay Area, and likely one of the best in the entire country. From a demographic perspective, it makes perfect sense. The Bay Area is probably second only to the Big Apple in terms of domestic foodie destinations - it's strength definitely being Asian cuisine (such as Indian). Mountain View is nestled in the heart of the super affluent Silicon Valley - so lot's of well traveled techies with plenty of disposable income. And Santa Clara county has the largest Asian Indian population in the nation percentage wise (6.4%). And Amber is the very best of the proliferation of gourmet Indian restaurants that has resulted from the above confluence.
It's located in an unassuming strip mall and the decor is still very typical Indian restaurant (though with a clean modern flair) but nothing about the food is ordinary. The first thing I like is that the spice levels aren't watered down for newbies or tourists. This is pretty much a given in the Bay Area, but trust me, if you live elsewhere - it's a big deal. For me nothing ruins a meal at an Indian restaurant more than having to douse everything with raita because I forgot to tell the waiter to make it extra spicy (i.e. normal spicy if you're Indian). The menu is Northern Indian which means tandoori and lots of rich, creamy sauces. I've tried about 20 different things on the menu and I can honestly say I've never been disappointed. The first thing you'll notice is the use of the finest ingredients. All the meats are succulent and the vegetables are always crisp and fresh. Many lesser Indian restaurants get away with cheaper ingredients because they mask it with flavorful sauces. You get the best of both at Amber.
The butter chicken is legendary and I must really say it is a stand out. Personally, I hate having to order chicken tikka masala, "the pad thai of Indian food", every time I dine with a group. It's like a cog: tikka masala + "x" other dishes... BTW tikka masala isn't even Indian, it was invented in Glasgow!!! Anyway, I digress. Butter chicken IS a real Northern Indian dish that it is quite similar to tikka masala and I highly recommend ordering it at Amber even if you are sick to death of its banal cousin that was invented in some pub in the UK...
I've only had the lunch buffet once but I also highly recommend it. The selection is huge. I think I counted 14 entrees to choose from. It's a nice variety of curries, tandoori meats, and vegetarian dishes. Although sauce based dishes keep well (they often taste better the second day), the food is slightly better when you order from the dinner menu instead of eating from the buffet - but expect to pay more also. Overall the cost is more than some are accustomed to for Indian (about $30/person) but it's certainly justified as the ingredients, preparation, and presentation are all first rate.
Can you tell this is my favorite restaurant? Indian food is my favorite cuisine. I've eaten Indian food all over the country (NY, SF, DC, LA, Chicago) and the world (New Delhi, Singapore, London, Fiji, Tokyo, Thailand) and Amber tops them all. I discovered Amber a couple years after it opened when I was living in SF and it is the restaurant I miss most. Every time I go to SF on business I go out of my way to stop at Amber - it's the highlight of my trip. Obviously the word has spread as they've opened up restaurants all over the Bay Area. I tried the one in SF, and though it's still good, it does not compare to the original. They obviously dumbed down the taste a little for the "chicken tikka masala" financial district crowd... -
Review from Brian S.
Phoenix, AZ
4/21/2012
I was pleasantly surprised to find this place. The Bay Area is full of bad-to-mediocre Indian restaurants. Amber India easily rises above the rest.
Other people know about this place, so you'll probably need a reservation. Service was sufficiently prompt. I found the atmosphere comfortable and pleasant.
The food was excellent: properly spiced, properly rich, full flavors, fresh ingredients, with a feeling of generosity in how it was all prepared.
I can't wait to go back and sample more of this menu! -
Review from Connie C.
2/6/2012 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
Came here a few months ago for dinner with some friends. There's a huge variety of food to choose from here-- and everything is delicious!
We had the cauliflower appetizer--sketchy at first, but it was actually really good. I wish the portion was bigger!!
We had the chicken masala, butter chicken, and an eggplant dish. All the dishes were delicious-- portions don't appear large, but surprisingly filling!
The naans were also very good- sightly crispier than what I'd usually prefer, but still full of flavor.
The service here is also great- we made reservations for a Fri, night and were seated right away. Our waiter was also very helpful and recommended some great dishes for us. -
Review from Andrew K.
1/11/2012
You'd be surprised to find such a quality restaurant hidden in a nondescript strip mall, but it is well worth the effort to find.
I frequent the lunch buffet about once a month. The currys are very flavorful and delicious. My favorites include the butter chicken (yummmmm) and the fish curry. I also LOVE the palak makkai (spinach with corn). Plus, the naan is served hot and fluffy.
As others have noted, this place sure isn't cheap. See $14.95 for the buffet always leaves me wishing I had a bigger stomach so I could consume more! -
Review from Claudia S.
Sunnyvale, CA
4/9/2012
Good curry and safrong rice.
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Review from Nina Z.
Santa Clara, CA
2/28/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Love this place. The ambiance is fancier than the average Indian joint, and the food is really rich and tasty. The butter chicken/chicken tikka is super good, and the baigan barta (sorry for the spelling) is the best I've ever had anywhere. The only beef I have with this place is that their palak paneer, my favorite vegetarian dish, is always way oversalted. It's so salty it needs about a 2:1 ratio of rice to even attempt to eat without shriveling your mouth up like a snail on a salt lick.
I love their lunch buffet too. Nearly the same quality of food, and lots of it! -
Review from Anonymouse Y.
San Jose, CA
5/13/2012
went for lunch. buffet only. not much veg choices. several items empty and not hot. long wait without res. no parking. spendy. i will not go again.
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Review from Cynthia G.
San Jose, CA
1/29/2012
Five stars for the food, 2.5 stars for the service.
It's hard to single out a specific dish, because I'll just end up listing everything I've eaten there, but I love the saag paneer especially, and the food is spicy and flavorful. Even the rice has spices. The naan is merely ok, so I usually get the rice. But then, I prefer rice. The food is extremely tasty.
This place is moderate if you don't drink, spendy if you get alcohol (especially wine). -
Review from Shawn S.
San Jose, CA
1/31/2012
The best Indian lunch buffet I've been to so far. I really like their butter chicken which is just excellent and the palak paneer is perfect! Another plus to this restaurant is it has a great selection of items at its lunch buffet and every dish I've tried is very good with just the right amount of spice and definitely always fresh. Fish curry, naan and tandoori chicken are all really good!
The lunch buffet is $14.95 which is not exactly cheap however you definitely get what you pay for.
I've been here a lot of times and the food is consistently very good, service from the friendly staff was great and the restaurant is always really clean. I'll definitely be going back :) -
Review from Byron L.
San Francisco, CA
2/7/2012
Came here for weekday lunch, which is served buffet style.
It's true, the butter chicken is great. Rice is good, desert good too. The roasted chicken was a bit dry, and one thing on their salad bar was really salty, so I would avoid that. The ambiance was nice, looks upscale. -
Review from Jonathan W.
Milpitas, CA
5/8/2012
the butter chicken tastes like pizza sauce. the garlic naan is good.
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Review from Fredz R.
San Francisco, CA
5/7/2012
excellent
to the owners:
I noticed that you are expnding and opening additional Amber restaurants in the bay area.
Please checkout Burlingame Ave in Burlingame. This would be an excellent location and business move. People are always dining out in Burlingame (even in a bad economy).
Two restaurants recently closed and the buildings are empty at 1428 and 1448 Burllingame Ave. There are other buildings and properties that are also empty.
Please visit the area on a Fri or Sat evening around 8pm and you will see.
One the best survive Burlngame Ave and you are the best! -
Review from Suzanne D.
Los Altos, CA
1/27/2012
Absolutely loved this place. Brought girlfriends for monthly girlfriend night and half of them had never been to this place before; they couldn't stop raving.
The food was exquisite, service was impeccable and ambiance was very nice. We will definitely come back. -
Review from Shanika H.
Los Angeles, CA
12/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
I don't know the proper yoga etiquette, but post workout, Amber India certainly hit the spot! After our second Bikram Yoga class, my two friends and I were starving!
There was barely a time that we took a breath once the food hit the table - everything was so good and smelled phenomenal, we were dying to try it all!
This Monday evening was not super busy, but usually the restaurant is filled with patrons. Towards the weekends, make a reservation if you don't want to wait. Yelp has a handy open table link where you can make a reservation online.
We were starving, so it helped that there wasn't a wait to be seated. The restaurant is beautifully decorated - simple and light. You can find all types of parties here - families, hot dates - they even have a lunch buffet earlier in the day.
The front area looks a little desolate and it's hard to believe there would be a nice restaurant in the building, but it's poppin' in the back! Romantically lit (first or second date acceptable!) beautiful art on the walls, warm environment, etc.
The waiter portioned out our first serving which was super awesome. It's family style, so it might break the ice in awkward social situations:
"My dog is crazy cute! She makes my heart sing!"
"I hate dogs."
"Yeah - pass the paneer, please?"
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Thankfully, everyone can unite over good Indian cuisine - which is what we did. they have a good size list of beer and wine if you desire, but it totally not necessary to enjoy your meal.
Things we think are necessary:
Palat paneer (DELISSSSSSSSH!)
Aloo gobi
Garlic and basil naan (get 2 orders if there are more than 2 people. trust me.)
Butter chicken
Chicken masala...
Basically everything. Basically.
Table service was AMAZING. the waiters were super attentive and even packed the tiniest bits for us to go. we should have ordered more.
WE SHOULD HAVE ORDERED MOAR.
If you manage to leave any, the left overs are so amazing.
Get you butt down to Amber India. Take a date. Eat stuff.
Next time you're in the Palo Alto/ Mountain View area, make it a stop along your taste-of-the-bay route. Trust. -
Review from Dave T.
Santa Clara, CA
1/15/2012
This review is for the weekend lunch buffet.
Overall, the food was pretty good at Amber India. The butter chicken was very flavorful, the tandoori chicken seemed quite authentic, the naan was superior, and they had a chana masala station (one of my favorites). There was also a nice variety.
I probably won't go back, though.
Why, you ask?
Simple answer. Our lunch tab, for three people, was almost $70. This was for three lunch buffets and two Kingfisher 12 oz. beers. I consider this ridiculously expensive for an Indian buffet, and more so for one whose food I would probably rate about 4 out of 5 stars.
I do have a few, relatively minor, criticisms regarding the food. One thing lacking was a station with someone preparing something customized, a service I got used to at weekend indian buffets back in Michigan. Also, I would usually expect a goat or lamb dish on the weekend buffet, but there was none here. Nevertheless, the food was up to a pretty high standard. Often, the food at the buffet seems like it's being reused (and probably it is, based on my experience as a cook). At Amber, it was clearly all fresh, or at least indistinguishable from fresh.
If you have money to blow, by all means go here. I haven't found better indian buffet in south bay (yet). Just be aware that lunch will cost you as much as dinner at most places. -
Review from Erika M.
Saratoga, CA
5/3/2012
Love, love, love Amber. We go there mostly for the weekend buffet. Excellent selection, not your ordinary lunch buffets. Curries are rich and flavorful (don't really want to know about nutritional information when we go), they have a chaat table, plentiful vegetarian as well as non-veg selection, the naan is hot and extremely delicious. It is the best introduction of the wonderful flavors of Indian cuisine who has never tried it before. The ambiance is lovely, and it's kid-friendly. A special treat each time I go.
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Review from Rachael K.
Saratoga, CA
11/15/2011
Occasion: Take out dinner with co-workers
What I Had:
Garlic and basil naan
Butter chicken
Food Review: DELISH. Okay, then again I have yet to eat Indian food I have not loved. I have been lucky enough to only dine at Indian restaurants that were recommended by friends and were amazing, but this restaurant was no different. Butter chicken and chicken tikka masala with garlic naan are my defaults, and they did not fail me.
Service Review: (Take-out dinner with co-workers)
Venue Review: (Take-out dinner with co-workers)
Overall Impression: Granted I didn't have a chance to experience the service or venue first hand, I can't say anything for the restaurant itself aside from the fact that their food is LEGIT. Only drawback might be the price. -
Review from Amy M.
Los Altos, CA
4/27/2012
Hadn't been here in MANY years for dinner. Sure am glad I went. The service was TERRIFIC. From the owner who took the reservation, to the hosts, to all the waiters. They also provided us with an excellent table that worked particularly well for our family. Just super nice and attentive. So RARE these days. The food was tasty. I particularly enjoyed the Spinach Paneer dish. The spicy potato and pea samosas were really good too - great pastry around it. And really enjoyed the taste of the Chicken Tikka Masala sauce. We were in the first room on the left. It was quite relaxing, including the music. I so appreciated the great service!!!
