Posts: 6,214
Threads: 354
Joined: Feb 2006
For those of you that did find Prabhas Indian buffet in Waikea Villas, they have moved to Keawe St. in downtown Hilo, next door to Pescatorre.
They serve an all vegetarian buffet that has kept their wonderful aromatic blends of spices & have changed their pricing from a set buffet price (that DH could do damage on) to a price per pound... which makes it more appealing to try it & a much better value for most.
The new setting is more intimate, & the Bollywood on TV was reminiscent of many of the Chitown Indian bistros, but does take some getting used to...
Weblink:
http://indianfoodhilo.com/
Posts: 1,051
Threads: 82
Joined: Apr 2006
Thanks Carey:
Tina and I love Indian food and will be sure to give this fare a sample.
Dhanyavaad
___________________________
Chinese curse "May you live in interesting times".
Posts: 7,790
Threads: 693
Joined: Jun 2011
I ate there one time a few months ago. I have to say that I wasn't impressed. Loading up a plate and getting it weighed before I can eat certainly didn't contribute to a "sit down" style eating establishment. I'm an omnivore and while I don't mind eating vegetarian, the vegetables better knock my socks off. Their's did not. I was there at 12:15 at lunch time and was the only soul in the restaurant. Probably a reason why. 100% vegetarian is a niche food. Indian is a niche food. Combining the two eliminates most of your clientele. Then ask the customer to weigh their food before eating it, and then being mediocre at best, I'm surprised that they are still around to continue trying. I wish them luck. A recipe for success would be start offering meat options, and allow people to order off a menu or at least get rid of the scale.
I remember asking for ice tea, and they said that they didn't have any. So I ordered a cup of hot tea and a tall glass of ice. I really love Indian food, and really wanted to love this place, but a business needs to cater to the customers to thrive, and this restaurant hasn't figured out how to do that. The mantra for a restaurant's success is often said, "location, location, location". Unfortunately, I do not believe that changing location, on it's own, will make them a success. Location is important, but return customers are more important. I never went back, and have no plans to. My mom always told me that if I had nothing good to say, don't say anything at all. Unfortunately I have already typed a lot, and I can't think of anything good to say about this restaurant. Sorry mom.
Other than driving to Kona, or hoping to spot the Indian food at the Maku'u market, are there any other Indian food options on the island?
Posts: 1,168
Threads: 39
Joined: Jun 2005
We ate there yesterday. I lean toward terracore's assessment. I thought it tasted good but a little bland for Indian food. My plate weighed in at $7.50, not so bad until you add the nan-like bread (forget what it's called), a separate charge, $2.50 for a small round piece. The nan tasted great but not $2.50 great. In all I ended up paying over $10.00 for a very average Indian meal that didn't fill me up.
My real problem with Prabha is that I'm addicted to tandori chicken and chicken tikka masala. So yeah, would love to see a traditional Indian restaurant that serves both vegetarian and meat.
Tim
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius
Posts: 6,214
Threads: 354
Joined: Feb 2006
Unfortunately the one in Kona that had a tandori closed last month...there is a part time Indian set up in the entry of Kress... saw it on Black & White night, but had already had lobster dinners at Bears... have yet to try it...has anyone???
Posts: 3,035
Threads: 201
Joined: Aug 2006
Akmals Indian Food/Suraya's Indian Kitchen has set up shop in the front lobby of the Kress Building, on the side facing Kamehameha Ave. Limited hours but I know she serves dinners several nights a week.
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
Posts: 7,790
Threads: 693
Joined: Jun 2011
Help a haole out. Where is the Kress building?
Posts: 6,214
Threads: 354
Joined: Feb 2006
the Kress bldg is at 172 Kamehameha (s. of Bayfront Hwy) & is between Haili St (where the Palace theater entrance is) & Kalakaua St. (where the Kress movie theater entrance and Full Moon Cafe - Thai) near the Salvation Army (Sally) shop & Tina's garden Thai Restaurant
Posts: 74
Threads: 17
Joined: Apr 2007
We went to Prabha several weeks ago and I agree with Terracore about the food. We can't prove it but Jerry got sick for several days and
the only difference in what we ate was food we got there. According to a food safety course I took as well as common sense, you should not
leave food for a long time at barely over room temperature. It isn't safe. And when you have very few customers, it can sit there for a long time. I ate at Akmals in the Kress building several months ago. It was good but I don't know their schedule.
Markie
Markie
Posts: 1,168
Threads: 39
Joined: Jun 2005
Is Akmal Indian or Pakistani? I like Akmal's food but it's definitely different than the Indian food I'm used to eating. Haven't eaten there since before she moved to the Kress building, will have to try it next time we're in Hilo.
Tim
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius
