Restaurant Reivew
Etka Indian Cuisine
Etka is a popular Indian restaurant with 3 locations within the Philly metro region (Fishtown, University City, & Bryn Mawr). This local gem has been rated as one of the top Indian restaurants in the country by The Daily Meal, a prestigious online food & drink magazine. While I wouldn't necessarily go that far, Etka does offer delicious Indian cuisine, and is well worth a visit while in the vicinity.
Food
This review is for the Bryn Mawr location. Unfortunately, the Bryn Mawr location does not offer a buffet. We all love the affordably priced Indian lunch buffets where we can mix and match different Indian favorites for one low price. On the plus side, the ambiance is super nice here for date night.
Etka offers all your regular Indian favorites including various chicken, lamb, and vegetarian entrees. Your meal will start out with complimentary papadum and dipping sauces. I also recommend getting Naan - Etka offers more than a dozen varieties!
In terms of main entrees, the Saag Paneer and Vegetable Korma really cannot be beat. Both entrees are bursting with flavor without being overly spicy. You can really taste each individual flavor note in these dishes. Of course, if you prefer lots of spice, you can kick it up a notch.
In terms of appetisers, go with the Onion Bhaji, Samosas, or Samosa Chat. All of these are wonderful - and you may easily have leftovers as everything is so filling!
Prices are a bit on the high side, especially if you are used to frequenting Indian lunch buffets. Nevertheless, everything is so delicious, plus you will most likely have leftovers, so really it is not that bad of a value.
Note: Etka is a BYOB.
Service
The one downside of visiting Etka was the poor service. Waiters were very unprofessional and not very friendly. The service was far less classy compared to other Indian restaurants in the area. Such a shame as the service did not really jive well with the elegant ambiance!
Atmosphere
The ambiance at Etka is what sets it apart from other Indian restaurants in the region. The decor is beautiful and the vibe is very intimate. This is the perfect place for date night! Before your meal, take a stroll around downtown Bryn Mawr, enjoying the local shops and perhaps stopping for a coffee at Philly original La Colombe.
Final Remarks
Etka is a definite must try if you find yourself looking for a good meal in the Main Line. Serving authentic Indian food in a modern upscale setting, Etka is definitely one of the better choices for a delicious meal in a nice setting. For a fantastic dinner date destination, there are not many better choices in the vicinity.
