Zaiaka Authentic Indian Csn

There are several good (and not-so-good) Indian restaurants in the Pittsburgh area, but here's what distinguishes Zaiaka. The food is always prepared with the very freshest, high-quality ingredients (paneer is made in house, etc.). The complimentary papadams served with chutney before the meal are always fresh and crisp. Anyone who has ever been served chewy papadams that have been sitting around soaking up humidity all day will appreciate this. They do a wonderful job on favorites like rogan josh (lamb always very tender), chana masala, chili chicken, and my wife's favorite, palak paneer, but their menu is more interesting than the typical Indian restaurant because of their numerous specialties, like chicken with fresh mango, baingan bukhara, and tilapia in mustard sauce. As for bread, they do excellent, always-fresh garlic naan, onion naan, paneer kulcha, and mouth-watering poori (make a special request – it's not on the menu). Zaiaka is also set apart by their atmosphere and their honest and generous hospitality. The tasteful decor is more upscale (with real tablecloths and cloth napkins) but not the least bit pretentious. The owners, the Kumars, are among the nicest people you could hope to meet. They make absolutely certain you truly feel comfortable and welcome. All this adds up to a superior dining experience. Not only is Zaiaka my favorite local Indian restaurant, it ranks among the best I have tried anywhere during my business travels. Virtually everyone I've taken has raved about it, from knowledgeable Indian food enthusiasts to many “converts” who were initially apprehensive or, based on prior experiences, even believed they didn't like Indian food. Zaiaka is an absolute find. Pros: Fresh ingredients, unique menu items, best hospitality more

This is an absolutely wonderful place to dine; not enough people are aware of this gem in Plum, Pennsylvania. The food here is great, and I continuously come back for more. The ingredients are all prepared on site (e.g., they make their own paneer!), and always fresh. My favorite appetizer is the lamb seekh kebab. I'm not much of a lamb person, but for what it's worth, this is the best lamb I have ever tasted. As for entrees, both the vegetarian and meat dishes have lots of interesting choices. If you're new to Indian food, go for either Chicken Tikka Masala or Chicken Makhan Wala. If you don't like meat, I'm quite fond of the Mutter Paneer and the Daal Makhani. And be sure to get some naan! Garlic naan or pudina paratha are my personal favorites, though the onion kulcha is the favorite of the proprietor. If you want a drink, I'd recommend trying a mango lassee, a sort of sweet yogurt drink that harkens of a smoothie, but quite a bit healthier. Or, if you prefer something hot, try a masala chai (spiced tea). As for dessert, I prefer the kheer (rice pudding), as it doesn't sit too heavily on top of a full stomach. However, the kulfi makes a nice frozen treat to end the meal with as well! As incredible as the food is, it is only half the reason I keep going. I am very pleased with the service I receive each time I go. Meena Kumar, the owner, is a very generous woman who, depending on how busy things are, will take her time to ensure that you are enjoying your experience. She manages to create a very relaxed and inviting atmosphere, and will sometimes stop to chat with you for a bit if you want. BYOB is available, and there are often special arrangements available for certain holidays (most notably Valentine's Day). Another thing to keep in mind is that Zaiaka caters. If you're having a wedding or a party where you'd like something exotic, I'd recommend looking into their services. I've been going to this place shortly after it has opened, and I've been bringing all of my friends. They love it, and now they too bring everyone they know. I cannot extol this dining experience enough! Try it! Pros: Service, food, atmosphere... everything! more

From the moment that we were warmly greeted at the door to the moment when we slowly shuffled out quite full, we were offered a superior dining experience with the best Indian food in the area - or even the best out of several cities where we have eaten Indian food. Every dish that we ordered came out fresh and steaming hot and flavorful, and we got to pick the spice level of our dishes (we especially like the Mixed Grill dish, which arrives at your table on a sizzling platter and contains a generous portion of lamb, chicken and shrimp, and most certainly order some naan because it is hot and delicious). In addition to having most excellent food, the restaurant itself is quite nice, and it most certainly has a friendly atmosphere. The proprieters will share stories of food and cooking with you, and you feel right at home. Also, the prices are quite reasonable; you are getting high quality fresh ingredients and good portion sizes. We have gone back to Zaiaka since our initial visit, and the level of service and the food was positively consistent with our initial visit, if not even better the second time around if that is possible! If you love Indian food, you would be cheating yourself not to stop and try it out! more