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2013-03-16
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http://www.ista.com.hk/index.html <- click for website and promoshttp://www.ista.com.hk/pdf/ista_food_menu.pdf <- a la carte menu.I am developing an queer affinity towards Indian food. After Noble Spice, I've been much more willing and eager to try Indian restos in HK. I'm not a big fan of spicy foods but not all Indian food is spicy. Spiced, yes, but not all spicy. Some of the spices, like cumin and tamarind, actually taste quite nice. Training my tastebuds to accept more flavours. Envi
http://www.ista.com.hk/pdf/ista_food_menu.pdf <- a la carte menu.
I am developing an queer affinity towards Indian food. After Noble Spice, I've been much more willing and eager to try Indian restos in HK. I'm not a big fan of spicy foods but not all Indian food is spicy. Spiced, yes, but not all spicy. Some of the spices, like cumin and tamarind, actually taste quite nice. Training my tastebuds to accept more flavours.
Environment:
Serene and quiet. I guess the ambiance causes diners to talk in low voices. We got a nice seat by the windows(at the far end of the photo). Loved the lighting. Service:
Excellent service - hallmark of indian hospitality. In fact I enjoyed the service at every Indian resto I visited recently - Jashan, Noble Spice, Central Indian, and Ista. We got a complimentary mango lassi!
Food:
Fair-priced set lunch. Not cheap but a fair Central price. Would pay that much for the nice environment! Complimentary mango lassi
Not very fragrant and a bit too watery - personally like the one at Noble Spice more. It was thicker and more fragrant. Soup and salad
The vegetable soup was also, neither here nor there. Not watery like Chinese soups, but not as thick as a good borsch soup can be. Somewhere in between. Bleargh. It was slightly sour and I suspect a bit of tomato in it. I'm not even sure if its' a tomato soup because it's got some other flavour. Wouldn't have ordered this. Chicken tikka kathi roll with papadaum and salad $98
I quite enjoyed the roll. I love carbs and this roll was more doughy and substantial than naan. The yoghurt coriander dressing used to bring everything together slightly put me off (only coz i don't like coriander). Normally I would've taken pains to flick out each and every strand of coriander but I tried to eat it today. I managed to swallow. Chicken curry with basmati rice, dal, naan, kachumber salad, papadaum, raita $118
J ordered this. I remember trying a bit of chicken curry and finding it quite pleasant. The chicken wasn't undercooked (which happens quite easily) and the curry was quite intense despite being quite thin. I was used to thicker curries such as the Japanese type but am discovering the merits of a thinner curry - which you could easily drizzle over rice, and provide a dipping sauce for naan. I like the thin coating of flavour over the carb - doesn't have to be thick! Conclusion:
Really nice environment for lunch, as mentioned. The food is alright but you can get a better deal elsewhere in the vicinity - buffet lunches at around the same price. But of course it is unnecessary to gorge on food - just saying, guys might be happier having buffet elsewhere. So...probably won't be back soon, because there are better choices nearby. But this place really is not bad. Come for the environment, quietness and space.
Other Info. :
I had this meal quite some time ago...the review won't be very up to date, but I have tried my best..
Heard that there is a special lunch deal now.
(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
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