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Indian in Panama City

beachmouse avatar
beachmouseBeach Fanatic
2,917 views
So we were hitting World Market today and I noticed a sign for an Indian and Pakistani restaurant called, I think, 'Saffron' on 23rd Street not too far east of Gulf Coast CC. They also advertised they had a lunch buffet.

Didn't stop in because we'd just had giant fish sandwiches at Red Bar, but if anyone's feeling like an adventure to the subcontinent, I'd love to get a review on the place.

Replies

16
30ABandMan avatar
30ABandManBeach Fanatic
#2
I noticed that there is also an Indian place just before the Acura place on 98 in FWB. Advertises a $9.99 buffet. I'd like to hear about both, I do love me some fine Indian Cuisine!
Gidget avatar
GidgetBeach Fanatic
#3
I hope someone will review the Indian restaurant. I LOVE Indian cuisine. I make a wonderful Aloo Gobhi in the colder months. YUM!

Thanks for the tip!

G
beachmouse avatar
beachmouseBeach FanaticAuthor
#4
On a related note, the garlic naan that Publix is now carrying is very tasty stuff.
Gidget avatar
GidgetBeach Fanatic
#5
On a related note, the garlic naan that Publix is now carrying is very tasty stuff.

There was a wonderful place in Baton Rouge that had the BEST naan! I ate there only once in a blue moon - but it was sooooooooooo great as a treat!

Speaking of Publix, any one know when new one will open and what the other stores next to it will be?

G
Danny Burns avatar
Danny BurnsBeach Fanatic
#6
Just in front of Walmart on Front Beach Road a little west of Pompanos in a strip mall is a place called The Curry Pot. Excellent Indian food and only 15-20 minutes east of Rosemary Beach.
trobiguyBeach Crab
#7
There is also a Curry Pot branch at 15th and Lisenby in a strip mall. Excellent food, both meat and vegetarian dishes.
Danny Burns avatar
Danny BurnsBeach Fanatic
#8
There is also a Curry Pot branch at 15th and Lisenby in a strip mall. Excellent food, both meat and vegetarian dishes.
I've been to both...and when they were on the other side of P City...and when they were on Front Beach Rd. by the new high rises about 4 years ago. I really love Indian food and they have been consistently great wherever they've been located.
Desso avatar
DessoBeach Lover
#9
It just goes to show the difference in taste and experience. I had the misfortune of dining at the Curry Pot in Panama City. The food was inedible, the place smelled (not the aroma of spices), and when I asked for a quick check (we were leaving quickly) I had $3.00 added on the bill for two ice waters. I had also tried the spiced tea, which was undrinkable. My first reaction was to not pay the bill. None in our group had more than a few bites each and the $60.00 bill was an insult. I have eaten Indian food around the world and sometimes you get what you expect and sometimes the unexpected. Please check yelp, local.yahoo, and tripadvisor for a mixed bag of reviews ranging from "putrid vomit" to "the best ever". And for the locals who yearn for Indian cuisine, stay home and commit to learning a few dishes to prepare on your own. It is as easy as bhindi ki subji (stir-fried okra).
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#10
It just goes to show the difference in taste and experience. I had the misfortune of dining at the Curry Pot in Panama City. The food was inedible, the place smelled (not the aroma of spices), and when I asked for a quick check (we were leaving quickly) I had $3.00 added on the bill for two ice waters. I had also tried the spiced tea, which was undrinkable. My first reaction was to not pay the bill. None in our group had more than a few bites each and the $60.00 bill was an insult. I have eaten Indian food around the world and sometimes you get what you expect and sometimes the unexpected. Please check yelp, local.yahoo, and tripadvisor for a mixed bag of reviews ranging from "putrid vomit" to "the best ever". And for the locals who yearn for Indian cuisine, stay home and commit to learning a few dishes to prepare on your own. It is as easy as bhindi ki subji (stir-fried okra).

In the culinary world you generally pay for the entire meal, whether you ate it all or not. I've never gotten a refund on my unused parsley or tried to return a half finished beer. Give it a try the next time you're at the Tarpon Club though, Moe needs the occasional "new" story.
Desso avatar
DessoBeach Lover
#11
What culinary world is that SWGB? Is it just a fancy name for restaurants? It is evident the "culinary world" you inhabit is a bit limited. And congratulations on not trying to return unused parsley or a half finished beer for a refund. Class and style, just like Moe.
trobiguyBeach Crab
#12
[It just goes to show the difference in taste and experience. I had the misfortune of dining at the Curry Pot in Panama City. The food was inedible, the place smelled (not the aroma of spices), and when I asked for a quick check (we were leaving quickly) I had $3.00 added on the bill for two ice waters. I had also tried the spiced tea, which was undrinkable. My first reaction was to not pay the bill. None in our group had more than a few bites each and the $60.00 bill was an insult. I have eaten Indian food around the world and sometimes you get what you expect and sometimes the unexpected. Please check yelp, local.yahoo, and tripadvisor for a mixed bag of reviews ranging from "putrid vomit" to "the best ever". And for the locals who yearn for Indian cuisine, stay home and commit to learning a few dishes to prepare on your own. It is as easy as bhindi ki subji (stir-fried okra).
][/QUOTE]

Sorry to hear about your experience. Admittedly, I've only eaten at the PC "Curry Pot" twice but have found the food to be on par with any Indian restaurant I've experienced ( I, too have enjoyed Indian food around the world). I've also had ice water there and was not charged. Now, the atmosphere is another story.....the decor is a bit reminiscent of a truck stop diner (which I am OK with if that is where my mood takes me and the food is good).

Any rec's on other local Indian restaurants you prefer?
Desso avatar
DessoBeach Lover
#13
Unfortunately, I have no recommendations for Indian cuisine in our area. Indian cuisine is a very niche market even in the larger cities and when people want to go out for a meal it is rarely at the top of the list. The internet provides an infinite variety of recipes and ingredients for purchase to give even the home cook a chance to prepare good, competent Indian cuisine. It just takes time and a little effort. Outside of India, London has the best.
scooterbug44 avatar
scooterbug44SoWal Expert
#14
I saw ads for Saffron and got excited, but then forgot about it, as I very rarely eat in PC.

Haven't had Indian food in forever, so I will have to remember Saffron the next time I am over there. Maybe we can add it to bowling night. 😀

Sorry, but I am not going to cook it for myself - that's why we have restaurants silly!
ElledgeLBeach Comber
#15
We ventured to PCB today and tried the buffet at the Curry Pot on Front Beach Road. Not much spice but the owner explained that the buffet is kept low on spices that when ordering off the menu that one can have it spicier. The Tandorri Chicken was some of the best. There was a lamb stew that was excellent. The Curry Chicken was all WHITE meat!

We also asked if water cost $3 bucks a glass and where told absolutely not.

We then ordered an order of papadam (not on the buffet) and it was very good also. She is related to the one on 15th/Livensby. We were at that location last Sunday around 2PM and the buffet looked a little old so we opted out. The nice man even offered us a taste of anything he had......we should have taken his offer as a good sign, why would one offer one bad tastes.

Am looking forward to my next adventure out and am going to order off the menu and get a little more spice.
Desso avatar
DessoBeach Lover
#16
EllegdeL, if you are referencing my comment above about the charge of $3.00 for water, it actually was for two(2). And it absolutely was the case. If it matters, I referenced a number of reviews on yelp, local.yahoo, and tripadvisor about the Curry Pot after I had dined there and found I was far from the only person who disappointed with the food, service, and atmosphere. . I am glad you enjoyed your meal and wish you many returns.
trobiguyBeach Crab
#17
Unfortunately, I have no recommendations for Indian cuisine in our area. Indian cuisine is a very niche market even in the larger cities and when people want to go out for a meal it is rarely at the top of the list. The internet provides an infinite variety of recipes and ingredients for purchase to give even the home cook a chance to prepare good, competent Indian cuisine. It just takes time and a little effort. Outside of India, London has the best.

I second your thoughts on Indian food in London. I fortuitously stumbled upon a little Indian restaurant on a side street in Piccadilly (I've forgotten the name) about 15 years ago that served amazing food. (I also received tips on getting last minute tickets into Wimbledon from a fellow American diner at the adjacent table....I was on a roll!)

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