I've had food in pretty much every Indian restaurant in Los Angeles but the north Indian food created, served and celebrated in 'Badmaash' is amongst the finest I've eaten in LA or back home in India! It is run by a hip, passionate, dedicated and loveable family. They treat food as art. Don't miss it!
Tasty Indian gastropub fusion fare. Pleasant space and friendly staff. A bit pricey for me, but worth trying anyway!
After watching lots of TikTok videos about their chili cheese naan.. I had to go visit them and it all lived up to our expectations..
From the entertainment to their food and hospitality..
you would want to experience it all as well..
Here is what we tried:
Chili Cheese Naan
Good Ol' Saag Paneer with Tandoori Roti
Swami's Indian Pale Ale
Cutting Chai
Spiced Cake
We ordered chicken Tikka poutine (came with very crispy masala fries) and badmaash fried chicken. Both were unhealthyly yumm. The floor upstairs is darker than expected. Good ambiance.
I've had Badmaash bookmarked on yelp for a while now because it is on the Michelin guide so I was excited to finally try it!
We had a reservation for our party of 6 and were seated immediately. I forgot our server's name, but he deserves a shoutout because he went above and beyond for our group and made it felt like he was taking care of us. After asking if we had any dietary restrictions, he gave us recommendations for what to order based off of what we said we like and he basically went through the entire menu for us. He also checked up on us often during our meal to make sure that everything was going good. Overall, I'd say service here is excellent.
We ended up ordering the butter chicken samosas, badmaash fried chicken, chicken tikka poutine, chicken tikka masala, butter paneer, 4 orders of naan, and 3 orders of rice. This was the perfect amount of food for 6 people because we finished all our food and were full. Everything we ordered other than the chicken tikka poutine and the badmaash fried chicken were on the more traditional end, while the chicken tikka poutine and the badmaash fried chicken were more fusion dishes. I'd say the fusion food was good but I wasn't blown away by them. The traditional food was also good, however, I wouldn't say that it's standout Indian food as I've had similar food elsewhere at a lower price point. This was a bit disappointing because I expected more from it because it was on the Michelin guide.
The restaurant has 2 floors but is overall pretty small, so I definitely recommend getting a reservation if you have a bigger party. The vibe here is pretty nice; it is dimly lit with candles at each table. They were also projecting Bollywood movies on the wall on the first floor which I thought was pretty cool! It's located in the heart of downtown LA, so parking can be tricky, but we ended up parking at the Pershing square garage and walking over.
Badmaash is a great chic spot for Indian food, I've been meaning to come since they are known for their Indian/American fusion dishes and those did not disappoint.
The Chicken Tikka Poutine was a favorite, and the burgers and Sandwiches were great. I'll agree with other reviews saying some menu items are overpriced (No one should be paying $5 for a single samosa). But there were great standouts on the menu (the fish curry, the lamb burger, the desserts), so by the end of the meal the prices evened out.
I also definitely recommend the chai to end your meal, since it's priced great ($2) and pairs great with dessert.
Come for the authentic and outstanding food! Everyone is kind, enthusiastic, and the lovely! I will definitely be back!
Title: Nice Ambience but Food Needs Improvement - A Review of Badmaash Restaurant in Downtown LA
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
I recently visited Badmaash, a cute little restaurant located in Downtown LA. Upon entering, I was immediately drawn to its nice ambience and cozy atmosphere. The restaurant had a unique charm, and I appreciated the effort put into creating a pleasant dining environment.
However, my experience at Badmaash was somewhat mixed, primarily due to the food. While some dishes left a lot to be desired, others managed to impress.
I started with the Papri Chaat, a popular street food snack. While it had a decent taste, I couldn't help but feel it lacked a certain excitement. A little more green chutney and sev would have elevated the flavors and added the desired tang and crunch. I believe these small additions could make a significant difference to the overall enjoyment of the dish.
On the other hand, I was blown away by the Chicken Tikka. The chicken was perfectly cooked, tender, and packed with flavor. The seasoning was spot on, and the dish had a delightful smoky taste. I must admit that the Chicken Tikka was the highlight of my meal at Badmaash.
In terms of beverage selection, I opted for the Swami IPA, and it complemented the Chicken Tikka brilliantly. The beer had a hoppy and refreshing quality that balanced the spiciness of the tikka, enhancing the overall dining experience.
While Badmaash has a charming atmosphere and some standout dishes like the Chicken Tikka, I believe there is room for improvement in other aspects of their menu. Adding more excitement to dishes like the Papri Chaat by incorporating additional ingredients and flavors would make a significant difference.
Furthermore, the service at Badmaash was satisfactory, with attentive staff members who were helpful and polite. The prices were reasonable considering the location and the overall experience.
In conclusion, Badmaash in Downtown LA is a nice restaurant with a cozy and appealing atmosphere. While some dishes like the Chicken Tikka are exceptional, others like the Papri Chaat need a bit more work to reach their full potential. If you're looking for a cute spot to enjoy good Indian food with a carefully chosen beer pairing, Badmaash might be worth a visit.
Catherine “Erin” Ishimoticha
+5
We love this place and make sure to come every time we're in LA. Awesome Indian food in a cool space. Order lots of different things to share.
Chandni Dialani (FashHunny)
+4
It’s not “Indian Indian”. It’s Indian food for Americans. But it’s amazing nonetheless!
Great restaurant! I had read great reviews and happened to be in the neighborhood and got the opportunity to go.
I am definitely coming back soon! The samosas are killer. They have a traditional and a butter chicken one. I personally preferred the butter chicken one as it complimented the sauces better. As a table we got the short ribs, chicken tikka poutine, and ghost pepper vindaloo. Also we got the rosemary naan.
The food was incredible. The service was great. Parking was a little difficult but it wasn't too far or too expensive
Very nice and different set up compared to other Indian restaurants. Service is good as well. Clean bathrooms. 4 star is for food as I really did not enjoy the taste. We Oder different things but none was that I can say as yum. Not a lot of option in breakfast and for vegetarians. I will definitely visit again to try more options and the tea.
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