Today we were in Surrey for Indian food. Located in a strip plaza, parking is ample. However, other than the restaurant’s character logo the exterior is fairly unremarkable.
Inside there was no specific theme, just a smattering or Indian artifacts including light up map and personified statue. The small corner bar caught my attention with its glowing purple ceiling lights. There is nothing to tie it all together, but alas we were here for the food anyways.
The menu was overwhelming with 10 pages to sort through. So instead of trying to suss out what was unique and exclusive to their restaurant, I just went for my favourites. Especially as the server recommend their pastas and burgers, and I drove out to Surrey for their authentic Indian food.
We started off with some drinks. We wanted to try their exclusive cocktails like the Smoked Chai Old Fashioned and their Punjabi Daiquiri, both made with chai syrup. However, they were out and the rest of the cocktails were nothing I couldn’t get from else where. Disappointed, my guest did settle on their piña colada.
Plus we got an ounce of Ghar Di Gaddi to try. This is a Brazilian made spirit from distilled sugar cane, which is apparently very close to how it is made in India. I have never heard of it, let alone tried it, so today was the day. It reminded me of Jagger with cardamon and the after taste of black liquorice. Interesting on the rocks, but better mixed I would guess.
I, on the other hand decided to keep in non-alcoholic with familiar flavours like Chai and Mango Lassi. The former was steamed milk with not enough ginger for my taste. The latter was yogurt blended with mango and cardamom. I expected more sweetness and tropical mango, but instead got mostly tangy yogurt. Either was both were great methods to cleanse the palate in between punchy spiced flavours.
For food we started with the Ambar Surrey Kebab Platter, a share plate of all their kebabs, to be able to get a taste of each. I don’t know why I was expecting them to be on sticks, so was slightly disappointed that this was just crispy patties and dried sliced sausages. Each had its own flavour and texture, but as is, it felt like something was missing. I would end up eating each with the Butter Chicken below.
A basic, but still my favourite dish to order at any Indian restaurant. This is so long as it is a rich tomato cream sauce like they have here. I just wish the boneless chicken tikka were cut smaller for one bite morsels. They were at least decently tender, with a slight tingle of heat. Either way the sauce won me over, especially with any of the three variations of naan I ordered. I love bread dipped into sauce.
Butter Naan and Garden Naan, flat bread baked in a clay tandoor topped with melted butter and garlic & herbs. In the same wheelhouse was the Masala Lachedaar Varantha, which is a multi-layered flaky flat bread baked also baked in their clay tandoor. All fluffy and easy to rip, making it great for swiping into thick sauce, as it is as absorbent as paper towels.
For our vegetable dish we ordered Aloo Gobi, which like dry stew of potatoes and cauliflower, seasoned with Indian spices. There was plenty of flavour and a great softened texture. Not fresh for vegetables but a great side that was harmonious with everything else.
We loved the Goat Birvani, a dish that stood on its own. Goat cooked in an aromatic long grain Basmati Rice. This was rich with fragrant spices and herbs. The goat was a little tough, but balanced out by its sinew. This too I ended up using as a base for the all encompassing butter chicken.
In short, we had a great meal and walked away happy and satisfied.
Ambar Surrey Restaurant
6914 King George Blvd, Surrey, BC V3W 4Z9
(604) 591-8850
ambarsurrey.com
