Awadh

“It came out looking like a pot pie, with a naan crust top and the rice hiding below.”

“Chef Gaurav Anand never ceases to amaze with the tantalizing taste and delectable spices in the food.”

“My favorite dish here is Coconut Curry with Prawns – so good and you won't miss lobsters because the prawns are huge and crunchy.”

Awadh

Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes

Price range.

$$ Price range $11-30

8 reviews

  1. Happy w this place. Got the galouti kebab (quite good), the chicken biryani (solid), and naan (good… as always). Accompanied w Lassies (ok). Highlights of meal were: (I) rice pudding (great)… Consistency of soup… perfectly spiced & (II) my young daughter lost a tooth at the end of the meal and was so excited about it. The latter is unlikely to be experienced by you guys… but the staff was so nice and encouraging to her when it happened that I think it says something (good!) about this place 😉

  2. The food is fine and comes quickly, but unsatisfactory service is where this restaurant lost stars. There was poor communication and in many ways, it felt condescending and unprofessional and it's absolutely embarrassing and unacceptable that a restaurant of its class should have anything but impeccable service for its customers.

    We were a party of 14 with a reservation for 6pm. As a large group, we did have some indecisiveness but the servers were constantly rushing to take our orders. Also, although we didn't mind, it felt strange when the server asked to take 3 of our menus because there weren't enough for another table. I don't understand why a restaurant of its scale wouldn't have enough menus to service its full capacity.

    After we placed our orders, a server came by to say something to us because 3 people ordered an appetizer as their entree. However, 5 of us were trying to decipher what he meant but we were all very perplexed. He was extremely unclear — we thought that maybe we were all required to order entrees or maybe he thought our orders were incomplete?? It's not a problem if a server has a question/comment, but he should be able to convey it clearly. I'm unsure why there was any problem or confusion at all, especially when the server who took my order of samosas (an appetizer) asked if I wanted it as an entree. If he asked me that question, he most probably asked the 2 others who ordered an appetizer the same.

    As 8pm approached, a server came to essentially kick us out because there was a 2 hour seating limit. This limit is not noted anywhere — on the website, on the menus — and nor was anyone informed of this prior to this moment. A seating limit at restaurants is normal, but as a large party, there is bound to be lots of socializing during the meal so it is unreasonable that we were told this while some were still eating, rather than beforehand. 2 hours is ample time for a small group, but larger parties definitely need more time.

    We also brought a birthday cake and while it was being sliced, the server dropped frosting on the birthday person's lap. The slices were also served a mess and the three layers were falling apart. Afterwards, the bag with the leftover cake was placed on the placemat, right on top of the fallen frosting and cake bits from slicing. For a $25 fee for the cake, we expected much more professionalism.

    The servers hovered over us throughout the meal, from taking our orders to waiting for us to pay. It was uncomfortable that several servers were constantly there, particularly when putting together the bill.

    Yes, the prices are quite steep for their portions, but expensiveness is subjective, especially since it's located in the Upper West Side. However, there are certain expectations that customers hold for service and unfortunately, none of us will be back because Awadh's service fell much below these standards.

  3. I am in constant search of great indian food. I walked in here with a few friends while walking down the street. Romantic ambience, full bar and v adventurous preparations. I must compliment the chef for his innovative style. I got cottage cheese dumplings in white cream sauce and chicken korma. Top notch!

  4. Was with a party of 8 for a nice family dinner. The sitting area downstairs is quite small, especially with the front bar taking up much of the space. We ate upstairs in another area that seated more people and was strictly filled with tables. The servers and busboys were very friendly and accommodating, however, when it came to waiting for actual food to arrive, it took a little long. It didn't feel too terrible since we weren't in a rush, but we noticed it. The appetizers were delicious, as was the garlic nan. We ordered lamb and spinach patties, as well as some different stuffed vegetables. The entrees were VERY delicious. Whether it was the seafood, chicken, or lamb, everything was tender, flavorful, and perfectly sized. The only food complaint I had was that rice didn't come with anything…it had to be ordered as a side. That made the meal more expensive, and it wasn't extremely cheap to begin with. Besides the pricing and lack of rice with meals, the experience overall was a good one. The food, most importantly, was some of the best Indian I've had in a while.

  5. Had lunch at Awadh with friends last week…here are my thoughts:

    Ambiance is great. The restaurant is clean and well decorated (this is often a challenge for Indian restaurants. And I can say this with confidence because I am Indian!) They can also accommodate large parties, which is great (there were 6 of us).

    Service is just okay. Our server was difficult to understand and he seemed a bit impatient. Food came out relatively quickly though.

    Food is also just okay. I can highly recommend the DALCHA PALAK KEBAB, the KAIRI KI DAL, and the NAAN. Everything else though? Totally lacking. This includes the AWADH MURGH TIKKA, which was tough and of suspect quality, the BHINDI DO PYAZA, which was overly greasy, and the plain rice which was a bit on the chewy side.

    Overall I wouldn't trek to Awadh again, especially with so many better Indian restaurants in Curry Hill.

  6. What a great Indian restaurant!! Super gourmet and well thought dishes.
    The two times I came were incredible. The dinner menu has a lot of options although it was very spicy for me even the "non-spicy" plates. The okra was delicious and also the lentils. We ordered the stuffed mushrooms for appetizer but it was really spicy. One of the best things was the potato and garlic naan. What a bread! I could just eat that. Warm and melting in your mouth.
    The dinner is a little expensive but is worth since you get what you are paying for.
    On the other hand the lunch is inexpensive since it's a prix fixed menu and the food is amazing. Not spicy at all, super tasty and plenty of food for a lunch special.
    Definitely a worth trying restaurant for Indian food. You can be sure when you see locals in the restaurant

  7. Great for kebabs, biryani and yes the tawa paratha they do.

    Ordered methi matar malai which was not spicy as expected and went well with the paratha. The lamb biryani was pretty good too. Eat here only if you can handle heavy greasy stuff as I just couldn't digest until the next day so a bit of warning:)

    I would come here not regularly but when I have stomach to masticate such heavy food. For usual kebab eaters – you will be fine!

    Kurkuri bhindi good tasty but too oily for my taste!

  8. There is better Indian for less $, but an ok neighborhood spot.
    I think this place is trying to be a little too cool
    For its uws location.
    Service was poor, I had to flag down a waiter whenever I wanted something, only refilled my water once, despite that it was all I was drinking. A waiter different from mine took pity on me and helped get me garlic naan, what I ordered, to replace the regular naan that came.
    Both the garlic naan and the plain naan were dry, which is nice if you don't like it so buttery, but the garlic naan was a little burnt.
    Had the chicken in coconut curry sauce. The flavor was good, the chicken was all white meat. I don't think the crispy curry leaves added anything to the dish, and quickly got soggy.
    This place is expensive for what it is.
    The bread pudding was not good, or at least it was not bread pudding, and should be described differently on the menu.

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Monday, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Tuesday, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Wednesday, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Thursday, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Friday, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Saturday, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Sunday, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm