Basant Modern Indian

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1. MS

   MihirS

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service4ambience5

   Good good. Portion size could be better given the price.

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2. S

   Shiv

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 19, 2022

   overall5food5service4ambience5

   Great place to eat close to authentic Indian food!

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3. c

   clm75321

   Chicago

   15 reviews

   5.0

   15 reviews

   Dined on November 17, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The food and drinks were amazing. The soup surprised me, I would go back just for the soup. I love the Cornish hen and the seasonal changes to the menu were really good.

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4. NG

   NidhishaG

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 13, 2022

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   If i could i would take off this one star as well. Made a reservation way ahead for a party of 5 for 8:30. We were not seated for half hour after our reservation time. Just like us there were MANY parties waiting to get seated who had made reservations. They clearly wrote on the website we have 90 minutes to eat but do nothing about seating people on their reserved time. Next we ordered mocktails, turns out the cocktails have the same name and we were given those. Got those changed that ONLY took Another 15 minutes to arrive at the table. Finally the food arrived and omg it was sooooo tasteless, cold and just blah. When we were asked by our server, we just told the truth that the food is cold and just overall really bad, the breads being really dry, gravies being super tasteless overall, the chef came to our table, he said “we use fresh tomatoes in out gravy” are you for real? It was totally condescending coming from the head chef. He also said we make the same thing in India. Nobody in India would eat this even for free. We Indians can tell good from bad indian food. This was easily by far our worst Indian food in Chicago land that’s why taking the time to write this review about the food and the service and the condescending tone of the chef. For a restaurant that calls itself fine dine, it was exceptionally loud and the experience was just overall really bad. This restaurant has definitely set records for consistently bad food and service. Also need to dispute this charge with my bank now. I’m still hungry.

   Report
5. KS

   KSalad

   Chicago

   6 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on November 13, 2022

   overall3food3service1ambience3

   Overall experience - drinks, food and service was average at best. We were a party of 8, celebrating a friend's birthday. We arrived promptly at our reservation time. We were told twice that we had only 2 hrs... which was fine. We ordered promptly, since we were all hungry. The food took forever to come out. The flavors were alright. The drinks were not that great. While we were still finishing our main course, we were giving the 10 min warning, with absolutely no acknowledgement of the fact that their kitchen was backed up (not our fault). Needless to say we didn't bother ordering a dessert and left. This issue with service doesn't seem like a one off here, so not sure why is the restaurant taking so many reservations. I will not be returning or recommending this to any of my friends.

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6. G

   Gdiner

   Chicago

   18 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   18 reviews

   Dined on November 12, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Lovely meal, everything was very flavorful. Good value for what you get.

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7. M

   Matthew

   Chicago

   16 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   16 reviews

   Dined on November 12, 2022

   overall2food3service2ambience2

   The entire experience was just okay. Food was okay, I think over priced for taste and portion size. Service was okay. Ambiance was okay. I'll likely not be back nor recommend to others.

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8. GM

   GwendolynnM

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 12, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   What a gem in the neighborhood! Amazing food and lovely cocktails!

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9. A

   Adrienne

   Chicago

   26 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   26 reviews

   Dined on November 10, 2022

   overall4food4service4ambience5

   I'm a huge fan of Basant but was slightly disappointed with the menu change. They took off the samosas and replaced them with aloo tiki. Although the aloo tiki was fairly tasty, I don't think it was worth $9 for mostly potato. In addition, there wasn't enough sauce to balance out the flavors, and the potato patty had a bit less crispy exterior than what I’m used to. As usual, their chicken makhani had outstanding flavor, but for $22 I expected a bit more chicken - not five pieces. I realize inflation is an issue, but still. No longer do they serve lamb rogan josh, so we ordered the Old Delhi Keema Matar. It was quite lovely in taste, but small in portion. Usually a fan of the veg jalfrezi, the vegetables were quite large this time. I think I would have preferred smaller chopped pieces to balance the ratio of sauce to veg. Overall, Basant has great-tasting Indian food, but inflation and change in the menu have made dining here a bit less enjoyable.

   Report
10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 6, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience1

    Seating is too close together. Food menu changed since the first time visiting this place. It was better in the beginning

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11. JZ

    JohannaZ

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything we ate was so full of flavor, and cooked to perfection. We were not too familiar with Indian food and our waiter was happy to answer all of our questions.

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12. GE

    GoodEats

    Chicago

    286 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    286 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We loved this place!! Our server was very friendly and helped us choose some great appetizers. The food here is terrific - and we ordered a lot of food!

    Report
13. TB

    TerryB

    Chicago

    109 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    109 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2022

    overall3food4service2ambience3

    This was our 3rd or 4th time to this restaurant, we have always enjoyed it. But things seem to have changed. When we arrived, we were shown to a table promptly by the greeter. The greeter then relayed a message that went something like this: "We are short-staffed tonight, so please be patient if things are slow. We are overbooked and so we need you to be prompt and leave within 90 minutes." Huh? I replied, "Well, if you are able to deliver the food promptly, we will be able to leave promptly." The lentils, chicken, naan, and salads were very good. The salmon arrived raw/underdone, which we sent back. The wine list is woefully inadequate, especially by the glass (only 4 wines by the glass). Only 2 pinot noirs by the bottle are offered, at $70 and $140. Pinot noir goes very well with spicy food, it seems an attempt should be made to find a good reasonably priced bottle of pinot noir (there are MANY). Perhaps they can get a consult from a sommelier. Also...near the end of our meal, the table clearer took my plate without asking whether I was finished. And we had only been there for 1 hour! All in all, the service left us feeling rushed and uneasy. It's a shame, this restaurant has such good potential, but it won't last if it doesn't improve its service. I think this restaurant would benefit from training by some experienced restaurant personnel. I really and truly hope it can improve, I want to give this place an outstanding review!

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14. RT

    RTv10forever

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 23, 2022

    overall1food1service5ambience5

    Where to begin? Portion size was ridiculously small, all the food had absolutely no flavor or spice in them. It is a disgrace to call whatever it is they served as Avial

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15. KF

    KristinF

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We have been twice now and both times, the food and service is on point. Mathew was our server last night and their recommendations were excellent. We will be returning again and again!

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16. A

    Alpa

    Chicago

    12 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on October 23, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    We came to celebrate Diwali. We had never been to Basant before. The food was just INCREDIBLE. Everything is house made. My boyfriend- stated that you could tell everything is made from scratch. The flavors, taste, were all just to perfection. Reema, who seated us was lovely. Max, our server was great. We even spoke to the chef at the end and he was warm and welcoming. We will definitely be back.

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17. DA

    DavidA

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 22, 2022

    overall5food5service3ambience5

    Everything was delicious. A little slow for the food to come out and drink refills took a minute, but all in all a great experience and can’t wait to go back.

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18. K

    Kylie

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I am always impressed by the food at Basant! Highly recommend trying.

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19. B

    Bpat

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 22, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Limited menu and lot of Items missing But food and experience was otherwise great

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20. M

    Marimbaprune

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    So delicious - a great neighborhood Indian restaurant with excellent cocktails, as well!

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21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was delicious, staff was friendly and management was superb!

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22. LJ

    LotsaJetGirl

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Good modern Indian with great cocktails. Lamb meatballs were excellent. Chicken Tika Tok was good. Eggplant was a little mushy so might try a different vegetable next time. Naan - can't go wrong. Raita was a life time supply. Mezcal cocktail was fabulous!

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23. CP

    ConPat

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Terrific food and cocktails. Highly recommend checking it out.

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24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Great!Food and service were too rate!

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25. S

    Shirley

    Chicago

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on October 8, 2022

    overall5food5service3ambience5

    This is probably the best modern Indiana food I have ever had. The lamb chops were amazing, and the fish basant was very unique. I highly recommend this place, and will come back to try more food for sure.

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26. TG

    TheaterGoer

    Chicago

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on October 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Service was outstanding. The flavors of the food spectacular. The drink menu quite creative.

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27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 8, 2022

    overall2food1service3ambience4

    I was excited to try this restaurant after reading the very good reviews on yelp. I was so disappointed. The food was just ok, very blend, no flavor. The paneer tika looked like it was just sprinkled with some spices and had no taste. The salmon was dry, the cooked vegetables blend. I did not experience any of the wonderful and complex flavors of Indian spices. Overall a nice looking restaurant but the food is really lacking any interest.

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28. n

    novamat

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This is a great restaurant with excellent food and drinks. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an elevated Indian food experience.

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29. TB

    TessaB

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2022

    overall3food4service3ambience3

    We enjoyed the food - we had samosas, rogan josh, fish basant - all excellent. Also veg dishes, very tasty.. but drinks were pricey. We agreed we would go again but skip the drinks.

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30. SD

    SDELISH

    New England

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    One of the best Indian meals we’ve had in Chicago!

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31. B

    Brad

    Chicago

    103 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    103 reviews

    Dined on October 1, 2022

    overall3food3service2ambience4

    Some items at Basant convinced me that this must be a really good restaurant. Other aspects convinced me that they're understaffed in both the kitchen & dining room and this could ultimately be their undoing. If you can't serve the number of people you seat, then don't seat them, and don't tell them about the time limit for their dining if the cause for them sitting so long is the wait for food/service (our server was very friendly though). On the plus side, excellent & unique cocktails, and jackfruit fritters and fish and chips were both excellent. The light, crispy batter on the perfectly cooked fish was really impressive, as was the dipping sauce. Mulligatawny was really good too. However, we ordered samosas and they only brought us the accompanying sauces after we finished eating them. Perhaps we would have asked a server, but servers were running around as if their heads were chopped off, trying to serve a full restaurant with what seemed like 50% of the needed service staff. Before we received the fish and chips, they brought us a chicken dish we hadn't ordered and we had to tell two different people we didn't order it and that we ordered fish and chips before we got the fish and chips. Mains/sides were decent. Taka tak was my favorite, Basant salmon my second favorite. Lamb suffered from way too lean a cut - sauce was great but the lamb was lean and very dry, albeit flavorful. Basmati rice was terribly clumpy and noticeably so - not sure how it left the kitchen like this. And while our garlic naan was very good, we also ordered paratha and it never arrived, even after we reminded our server twice, as well as the person who delivered our food. Unfortunately, given the above, I won't return to Basant since we paid for an experience and food that simply wasn't delivered. I've heard very good things about this place, but perhaps that's from people who visited during the week when the restaurant wasn't slammed.

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32. c

    clm75321

    Chicago

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on September 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food was excellent! The atmosphere was also fun and exciting. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a fresh and tasty Indian experience.

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33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Such a great place for delicious food, interesting and tasty cocktails, and good service. A wonderful night out compared to most Indian restaurants best reserved for take out

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34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 25, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience5

    Everything was excellent

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35. NV

    NeelV

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 23, 2022

    overall3food3service5ambience4

    Food was good, salt was a bit on the higher side but it is just us as we hardly have salt. The lamb dish, the chicken and fish appetizers were good and quite interesting; the paneer tikka was a disappointment as it was not marinated well. Overall, we liked the place and I look forward for my next visit to try the other items in the menu….would definitely recommend to my friends.

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36. JW

    JimW

    Chicago

    30 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on September 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fantastic Indian dining in a great peaceful space. Excellent service.

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37. S

    Savitha

    Las Vegas

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on September 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food wonderful Ambience and awesome service

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38. D

    Discerningdiner

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This was a return visit. We've eaten there, both indoors and out. The place is delightful. The staff is helpful in choosing well from a rich and thoughtful menu. We'll be back.

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39. CE

    CraigE

    Louisville

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was great. From pork belly, tomato soup (perfect spices), mushroom kulcha (great flatbread-type dish), lamb shank, and garlic naan. Nice cocktail menu as well.

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40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Beautiful venue and wonderful waiter. We will be making this a regular spot for our family. The cocktails were worth the treat!

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