by Alex L.

This is an update to a review I wrote in Nov 08. During that visit I found the service to be very bad and the quality of the Biryani was poor. I gave what I believe to have been a fair two star rating.About a month ago I was contacted by the restaurant. The owner had read my review and wanted me to know they had recently turned over some wait-staff and welcomed a new (or recently returned) Chef who specializes in Biryani. I was invited back with the promise of Biryani on the house.I did go back, and wow, what a different experience. My Hendrick's cucumber martini was excellent. Our Gobi Manchurian, a deep-fried, Chinese-influenced cauliflower appetizer, was very good (and very spicy too). My lamb biryani was perfect this time, and my wife's Muttar Paneer was good as well. We had an order of garlic naan also.In the spirit of full disclosure I will add that the restaurant owner and I had identified each other when I came in. My table received particularly special service this time around, not to mention a discount for giving them another shot*. This undoubtedly colored my experience and this review, but I believe the food was good enough this time to warrant a future incognito visit.This to me is why Yelp exists. It's very possible they were having an off night the first time I visited, and if not for the invitation to come back, I might not have given Tantric another chance. Unfair for the restaurant, but unfortunately that's life. But the management at Tantric deserves credit for turning my first bad experience into a positive second one, with probably more to follow.My final word on Tantric is to give them a shot and see for yourself.*I have followed the yelp disclosure policy as best as possible for this update (http://www.yelp.com/fa...), and for the record, I write my reviews to provide advice to would-be consumers and constructive criticism to businesses. I never write poor reviews to receive special attention. Service was slow and almost non-existent. The decor did not even come close to meeting the hype. And…

by Heather H.

To be fair, I would give Tantric 3.5 stars if I could.I ended up at Tantric on a Saturday evening by chance. Our other choices for dinner before a movie ended up being closed or having too long of a wait.The dining room was almost empty on a Saturday evening, which made the atmosphere a little sad. They have very nice decorations and I'm sure would be more impressive with a crowd.The tandoori was excellent, as was it's accompanying mint sauce. Sadly I got white-personed on my vindaloo. When asked how spicy I wanted it I replied "Pretty spicy!" Apparently this means "Not very spicy!" That said, the seasonings were well balanced and I did enjoy my dish. The jasmine rice was also well seasoned. Sadly, the naan bread was nothing worth writing home about.Prices were too much, I feel as though I've had superior quality for the same dishes at other restaurants for lower prices. Their drinks menu looked exciting, but not $10 for a cocktail exciting. The beer selection was limited and pricier than necessary. And I got a bad pour.

by Raul C.

One of my favorite Indian restaurants, a crowd favorite for those heading to the theater as it is right in the middle of the Theatre District. I have not been to the buffet, only from the menu and everything I've had is really good, large portions and very tasty. Outstanding service from the wait staff and the hostess every single time I've been there. Chicken Tikka Masala and Mango Lassi are my favorites. They have a nice selection of cocktails and also plenty of vegetarian options.

by Sean E.

So as far as last minute, fourth choice on the list, places to go to eat before a movie, Tantric was surprisingly good.  Food-wise, that is.  Everything else could use some help here.  Beginning with the people working the front and extending to the horrible drink menu.It's located in a fairly busy part of Boston -- in between Boston Common and the Theater District.  Around 5pm on a Saturday all the restaurants in the area were overflowing with people.  Except for poor Tantric, that is.  The place is much smaller than Rockbottom, Bennigans or PF Changs.  The vibe is much more mellow.  So I can understand the family folk wanting a more lively place -- with the football game on and a good selection of comfort food.  But if you're in the area and just looking for a good meal, Tantric can serve you up some decent Indian food in a comfortable yet almost elegantly designed space.Now there's more problems with this place than there should be.  The price on just about everything could go down a dollar or two.  They did seem to have an ok deal on some combination platters and the standards like vindaloo and tandoori -- which is what we got.  Being familiar with these dishes I was surprised that they actually didn't disappoint.  The vindaloo could have been spicier but both dishes had excellent flavor.The wine/beer/cocktail list is horrendous.  The wine selection is poor and the prices are marked up beyond belief.  The beer -- Harpoon IPA and Sierra Nevada were as far from your standard Bud and Bud light as they got -- and they were out of Sierra Nevada.  I guess if you're an Indian restaurant all you have to do is put Kingfisher on your list and shrug your shoulders.  Cocktails are all 10 dollars across the list.  I guess this has become common practice and who knows, they might have been worth the price but I wasn't looking to go that crazy.  The bartender did look like he needed something to do though.It boils down to Tantric being a reasonably priced casual Indian restaurant with solid food trapped in an overpriced wannabe upscale restaurant.  This is too bad.  If they dropped the pretense I'd come back here more often.

by Dan O.

Back again for lunch, the buffet was completely different.  Everything was good and fresh.  Keep up the good work Chef. I went to Tantric this week with my boss.  We showed up towards the end of the buffet, everything…

by Zach L.

I'm a huge Indian food fan, and this is some of the best I've had in the entire country. A little bit pricy but well worth it. Chicken tikka masala is delicious.

by K J.

I made a note to come to this place after the food they served up at the Yelpoween Event.And simply two days later, when I was thinking of a place to treat a couple of friends, name the place that came to my mind.At 6:30 PM, the place was not overly crowded. A lot of the staff there recognized Lys and I from the Yelpoween event. One of the guys was even wearing the hot Yelp pins on his shirt. +1 for that. My girl and I both love whiskey and we ordered a Jack and Coke and were really happy to have got exactly that and not Coke and Jack. For appetizers, we decided to do away with the regular pakoras and tikkis and chaat and ordered the Tengra style chili panneer, its paneer stir fried with vegetables and spicy sauces. Right amount of spiciness that I would have liked in anything that was stir fired.The entree menu was endless with a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items to choose from....and more importantly they had a selection of dosas to choose from (another reason to come to this place often now). The butter chicken gravy was creamy, the palak panner and the daal makhani was of the perfect consistency, the naans/roti/kulchas were soft and not burnt. Perfect food for the night while discussing the other couples wedding that was coming up. And even better, if you love your Bollywood music they play it all the time on the TV.

by Nicole M.

Over the past many years, I've walked by here so many times and turned my nose up at it because there's NEVER anyone in the place.  I figured, how good can it be if it's empty?!Then one night we ate here and everything changed.I really don't understand why it's not more crowded.  Is it because the Theatre District is touristy and most people prefer chain restaurants over ones they've never heard of?  Is it because people are more likely to go to Cambridge or the South End for Indian food?  Who knows...I thought the food was fantastic, the service superb and Persephone's Pleasure pomegranate martini delicious.  I'm definitely looking forward to returning.  3.5 stars.

by Boston N.

I was going to see the Grinch over the holidays and saw a happy hour menu online to Tantric and decided to check it out.First of all Happy Hour is from 3:30-6pm M-Thurs (and 830-945pm)10pm - midnight Sat and SundayWe get to Tantric at 5:00pm, hoping to get a seat at the bar, where the happy hour deal is going on. There is no one in the reataurant and the liquor bottles are wrapped like they just opened the place.Oh well, bring on the food, right? Hopefully the place will start to fill in. (it is a Thursday afterall).We have to ask for the happy hour menu, it was not provided and I felt like I put them out when I asked. They put the TVs on to some bollywood like Indian music videos which was strange but entertaining.....The food was great though! We had the Chicken Tikkas ($3.99), Aloo Kulcha ($2.99), and Bhel Poori ($2.99). It was enough to fill us up before the show but not enough to put you to sleep. I think it is one of the best deals in town!

by Grace J.

Chicken Tikka Masala? Check! Vindaloo? Check! Spicy enough? You can pick: 1-10 on the scale, so CHECK! You might want to consider stocking up on the Pepto-Bismol extra strength at home, because you can breath fire if you get the heat kicked up in here! Nothing bland about this Indian restaurant, and they have a lunch buffet for those who just can't decide and must have everything. The garlic naan is... bready, garlicky-buttery, and piping hot! Easily soaks up the curry mess you will surely have on your plate. The tikka masala is equal parts butter and spice. The vindaloo has enough vinegar to tone down the insanity of the spice kick. I can't rave enough about it. So addicting, I can't bring myself to order anything else. I get stuck on the same dishes, even though I love everything else just as much (saag paneer, aloo gobi/muttar... I can go on). And for all the drinkers out there, try a basil ginger gimlet. It smells delicious!If I have left-overs or get take-out, the dog begs to lick the containers clean. I've seen him with his paw in the bowl, watching me out of the corner of his eye, daring me to take it away from him. And no stomach upset there!  So have no fear, and enjoy.

by J David M.

I really love the food here, although I have to admit that I only ever eat one Indian dish: Tikka Masala.But the atmosphere is also great, and I really love the Shisha. It was really fun to go with a few friends, smoke, drink, and eat good food.

by Shruti V.

I went to Tantric with two other Indian friends for dinner once. The service was excellent(maybe because our friend knew the manager man) and so was the food! Our hostess was genuinely sweet AND we got bhel puri on the house. The chicken tikka, butter chicken and naan we had were all upto the mark! A little less apicy by indian standards but still excellent! :)

by Gwen F.

It's very, very difficult for me to eat Indian food.  All of my Indian food-phile friends moved away after college.  I love the friends I have here, but very few will join me for some naan, chicken tikka and a lassi.  I suppose I could go for dinner by myself, but I'm lazy.Thus I'm forced to carry on my affair with Indian food in secret, munching away quietly at my desk at work.  I like Tantric because they carry my favorite dish (paneer tikka masala), which isn't very common, and they deliver.My only complaint about the paneer tikka masala is that there's no fire.   My past experiences with anything tikka masala involved some degree of spiciness.  This stuff was so mellow and mild, that it tastes exactly the same as Tantric's paneer makhani, which I've also tried.  It's still good, but I like a little pain sometimes.Delivery is extremely cost prohibitive.  There's a $15 minimum, and a $5 delivery fee, guaranteeing that you'll never spend less than 20 bucks a go.  I don't mind blowing that or more on a nice dinner, but let's be honest - I'm eating at my office.  Alas, I can only order from this place rarely, when I'm really craving that yummy paneer.  I just wish it were worth the cash.

by Bill K.

Stopped in here for dinner and left not entirely satisfied.  I think the best thing Tantric has going on is the combination of outdoor seating with cool design inside.  It was colorful without being over the top.Started with a non-alcoholic fizzy lime cocktail which I felt wasn't mixed very well.  Move on to an appetizer that was not very distinctive; I suppose when you order something fried, you should expect that it will pretty much taste fried, but in this case, I wasn't enamored of it.The entree was chicken vindaloo, which is my go-to since it's often the spiciest dish offered.  To their credit, it was fairly spicy, which is what I requested.The place was practically empty but service was not very responsive.******Note: the owner responded to my review (which originally was a bit more biting) and offered to issue me a credit for the meal based on my dissatisfaction, which I think is a great management practice.  Apparently they have just replaced some of the waitstaff with the goal of improving the level of service.******

by linny m.

food = delicious.service = abysmally horrendous.

by Sarah W.

Aw, sadness for all the bad-mediocre reviews. I've been here twice now and have been very pleased both times.The food is always good. For something a little different in the salad region they have a five spice salad (or named something like that) that is very different and just to die for. Very yummy. Their naan has always been good and the curry always creamy. The decor, too, is fantastic and is just nice enough to make you feel like you're getting a bargain in such a great place! I don't, however, get the existence of the large flat screen. Service has been a little hit or miss too, but never terrible. Only gripes. I'm a pretty big fan of Tantric.

by Melissa S.

The food is delicious, I just wish that the portions were bigger for the price.That being said, I go like once a month. I'm hooked. We order the same dishes every time: Butter Chicken, Bhindi do Piaza(okra) and Kumbh-Palak Kofta (spinach/mushroom croquets). Their garlic naan is flippin' awesome.I wasn't too wild about the lunch buffet. But whatdya want? It's a lunch buffet.Great for cocktails and a light dinner!

by Mike S.

I go at least once a week for the lunch buffet. The menu changes more frequently than other lunch buffets I've had, and the selection is always good. Our group usually includes a vegan, and I am allergic to both wheat and dairy. So I can say for a fact that we enjoy both the meat free dishes, and that the dishes without yogurt or cream are also delicious. Many Indian places have very dry food when they aren't heavy on the butter or cream. I love their Pakoras, dense and moist. Price is decent, waitstaff is friendly but managers are lacking in service skills. Small detail, but I really appreciate the cloth napkins even though its only a buffet.

by Jim C.

The place had a great look and feel to it; I was expecting good things. However, I found it to be mediocre food, and slightly overpriced. I thought the serving sizes were rather small for the price and the dishes comprised of a ton of sauce and not enough meat. To be honest, i think that the Faneuil Hall Bombay Club is better food (assuming its fresh) and a much better value.On the bright side, their Naan was good and they did make it fresh to order.

by Robert Z.

When my tummy craves curry and other Indian spices this place is a great choice.  There's only 2 places I'll eat upscale Indian food and this is one of them.The perfect place to dine before a show in the theater district for small or lage parties.  They have never let me down when we've had a show to catch.  The food is really, really good and everyone is soooo nice too.Grab some various curry type dishes, some byrani and share among your table for variety, and it's kinda more fun that way too.

by Ian H.

Great Tandoori. Lunch buffet is the way to go, but it's OK for dinner, too.This place is trying to be hip and trendy, which might be a turnoff for some. it's got a very contemporary decor, and a drink menu heavy on "creative" cocktails whose names end with -tini.That said, some of their foofy cocktails are quite good, and most of their food is quite good as well.Tantric is what you might call "upscale mediocrity" - the food is about as good as India Quality, but more expensive and served in an environment that's just chic enough to feel like a worthy prelude to a night of theatre or opera. You won't feel completely ridiculous if you come here dressed up.But really, the best time to go is in the middle of the day, for the lunch Buffet, which is easily the best I've seen in Boston. At $10 it's not the cheapest option around, but they have a wider variety of dishes than most buffets, change their offerings each day, and always have a (good) soup and dessert option included. The Pakoras are large and crisp, the naan is fluffy and fresh, and the Tandoori Chicken is the best I've ever had. (Which isn't saying so much, but still)

by Shaina S.

All the praises of Tantric's food that I heard at the Elite event gave me an itchin' to come back and try it for realsies.I went to the lunch buffet with a few friends of mine before catching a show at the Opera House.  We had a lot of fun watching the Indian music videos (one of which was based on E.T.?!) as we dined on delicious and spicy foods.  The true Indian amongst us was able to explain the small delicious dish they put on our table before we chowed down and the buffet forced me to expand my Indian horizons beyond my usual Chicken Tikka Masala and Saag Paneer (neither of which were options).I forget the names of all the good stuff I tried, but the potato garlic soup was really excellent, as was another potato dish (something-Vinda?) and the rice pudding (Kheer-something) at the end.The servers were very helpful even though we didn't need much help digging right into the buffet and the swanky atmosphere works well day or night.

by Trish F.

Belly full.. unable to think.. or.. work.. hmmmmmmmmm.. I just took part in their all you can eat lunch buffet for $9.95 (which scoots down to $7.95 after 2PM). I'm pretty new to the Indian food scene. Okay. That's a lie. It's my Indian food renaissance. I grew up eating Indian food at friends' parties, but I was never one for spicy, so yeah. Then when my old job started adding Indian dishes (curryesque vindalooesque) to the menu, I realized that spicy/Indian foods weren't all Looney Tunes ACME explosions waiting to happen. Now, I'm working up my mild taste buds and I'm back on the scene. Anyhoo.. the selection was great. Their tomato coconut soup was wonderful and who can really argue with all you can eat naan. I can't remember the names of all the selections, but I was definitely pleased with most of the trays. I think there were only 2-3 things I didn't try (I decided against the rice that had chile pepper seeds). Our server was really great. He was the only one working the floor (it wasn't too busy), but still made rounds to make sure our waters were full and that we were enjoying our meal. When I asked if there any ultra spicy items in the buffet, he offered to bring out some spicy seasonings (of course I didn't accept but that tidbit is for those who like it hot-ter). The decor is nice and simple and I adore the back corner of tables with the fabric hanging from the ceiling. Oh.. and for those interested.. they have hookahs during the summer. Check their webpage for details and flavors. I've definitely seen people seated outside the restaurant in the summer.. enjoying themselves and hookahing up. It's not my thang, but I figured I'd mention it. 3.5 stars for the cheap buffet.. but I'll need to try a regular priced dish to make a more educated decision. Word is, their chicken tikka masala is the "bomb diggity". Yeah I don't know. I heard one of the kids on the street say it. Time traveler from '97?

by Sasha R.

Indian lunch buffet?  Naan that expands in your belly? Tea with heavy cream?Yes, please!A lot of vegetarian options.  Tasty food and pleasant decor.Watch out for the expandable naan.

by Shivani G.

I received a lovely e-mail from Mary, the owner of Tantric. She has renewed my faith in customer service. Mary not only explained the shortcomings for the dishes we had, but also offered to refund the money for our meal.We're definitely going to try their restaurant again! We'll use our Tantric bucks to give them another shot. We liked their staff, the chic decor and squank music, so maybe this time around will be a charm! Stay tuned for an update! Last week Friday, I had a hankering for restaurant Indian food. I qualify what kind of Indian food I…

by Jim H.

Tantric is a weekly favorite, relaxed, friendly and an authentic menu that ventures well beyond the standard butter chicken, kormas, and chicken tikka masala, all of which they do a fine job of but give a try to some less usual recipes from several distinct cuisines of India. A beginning suggestion, the satisfying complex Gobi-Manchurian, which exhibits the Chinese influence found in Kolkata cooking, the sweet and peppery pieces of cauliflower are succulent. The Malabar crab cakes are another unusual find, crispy spicy with a pungent edge.  Dori Maach, a cardamon flavored white fish with a delicate flavor provided by roasted onion seeds is a Bengali recipe.  I admit I am a grump about newly minted cocktails. In my mind vodka is never found in a martini, and for months I easily dismissed the list of cocktails at Tantric as more of those too interesting drinks and would order Indian beer or a simple gin and tonic. Finally someone in our group ordered a gimlet with ginger and BASIL. WOW!!! One sip and I ordered my own. Five stars on this gimlet but, unfortunately, I can't seem to replicate it at home. Amazingly intense and refreshing, a perfect compliment to the complexities of gin. A word on spice and a word on HEAT. To its credit, Tantric unfailingly inquires about the spice level diners prefer.  I usually lean toward hot, but here this is not quite so simple. The chef seems to understand something I only discovered after visiting India, that there are ways of turning up spice flavor without merely dialing up the Scoville units of heat until your taste buds burn out and go numb. Ordering hot in many Indian restaurants In America means heat alone and at risk of destroying the subtle and complex flavors found in Indian food. So on a first visit I suggest if ordering several dishes try some hot and some medium. But if its a test of heat you're after try any of the Vindaloos, but my favorite is the lamb. I've never had a disappointment here, the ancillary things like rice, breads, tea, and desserts are all delicious. First time looking in I had some concerns about atmosphere, but the music (a cool blend of traditional Indian riffs with contemporary dance) the comfortable soft light level, and the absolutely charming staff erased those concerns. On our second trip back we were friends, on our fifth, treated like family. A final recommendation if you like Indian sweets; Tantric's take on Gulab Jamun is authentic, and worth the calories! Crisp, light spherical dumplings in a syrup delicately flavored with rose water and cardamon. Finish up with a cup of Masala tea, and you'll be back.A longtime adherent to Kashmir I admit I was reluctant to try this place, I suppose mostly out of habit, and fear that its proximity to the theaters would make a weekend dinner reservation difficult. But I've only once had an appreciable wait, and the space is a bit bigger than it appears from the street.. Open Tables, especially if visited before 4 of the same day is a big help. Though you might find Indian restaurants in more charming neighborhoods (this neighborhood is in the midst of the construction of a cool new W hotel across the street) in Boston, none are as delicious as Tantric.

by Pete C.

First off, I really like the interior of this restaurant.  It's definitely Indian, but very tastefully done in a contemporary manner.  I've been here a few times, but only for the lunch buffet.  The last time I went it was $10 and this past week it was $11.  As far as buffets go, the choices are rather limited.  But the choices that are presented are well executed.  The flavors are clean and the ingredients fresh.  There's always naan, some fried appetizer like pakoras, salad, a soup, a couple of rices, three vegetable items, tandoori chicken, one other meat item (usually chicken), and dessert.  Just as a comparison, the other place we like to go to for an Indian lunch buffet is Kashmir which is $1 less and always has more choices.  But the food isn't as well executed.The lunch buffet at Tantric is still a good value since the emphasis is on quality over quantity.Follow-up: I received a nice message from Mary, the owner, thanking me for my review.  She also mentioned that they were working on providing more variety, in response to my review.  It's good to see a business owner care so much about their business and is willing to accept and consider constructive criticism from their most important asset, their customers.

by Gene K.

Tried the lunch buffet and was very disappointed. The flavors were bland and uninspiring, and the buffet selection did not have everyone's favorite dish - the chicken tikka masala..  Perhaps my expectations were set too high, based on previous yelp reviewers.  Sorry to say, this wasn't even close to Kashmir, Tanjore, or Bukhara... The service and setting were fine... it's the food that was disappointing.

by Colleen B.

It was like our own private India as a group of friends and I dined in the "semi-private" room in the back of the restaurant. So VIP!The service was outstanding! There were about 10 of us and each felt rightly pampered. Even though I've been to Indian restaurants before--I appreciated the attention to detail and explanations the waitstaff gave us about certain popular entrees. Two other bonuses...my drink...the exotic cardamom-infused Kama Sutra: #1 ...came with a $20 gift card to Too Timid ( a very classy adult store in Newbury St. This was a few months back so I'm not sure if the promotion is still running.) -AND-#2 ...moved from table to table so did my drink...thanks to the attentive waitstaff. The appetizers were fresh and so were the accompanying sauces/chutneys. The platters are reasonably priced and  a good selection. If you're looking to save room for dessert or another Kama Sutra give a Dosa a try. Think Indian burrito with a crispy crust. Try the Masla Dosa and it will be just enough food without over-doing it.

by Scott B.

Sometimes, don't you wish you could tell them you are a yelper before you're even seated... just because you know you'll get good service?  I wouldn't ever do this, as I grasp the ethical complications... but still... it would save me from having to drop a three star review on someplace like this...Here's how it all went down:Me and boyfriend:  Hi, we'd like a table for two.Hostess:  And you have a reservation?Me and boyfriend:  No, do we need one?Hostess: (in a pretentious voice) Oh... well... let me see if we can seat you...**side note -- it is virtually empty inside.**Hostess:  it looks like we are pretty booked... you can sit at the bar if that's not a problem.Me and boyfriend:  Yes, we'll just take a bar table... not a problem.The script itself wasn't necessarily the problem, but the attitude that they are so incredibly fancy and popular that every table was spoken for was a little much.Food prices weren't too bad... food was alright... we just had the non-vegetarian sampler platter (which was pretty bland), and some drinks...My martini was pretty damn good... and my bf loved his fruity drink.The video playing on the big screen was bizarre for a dinner crowd -- a trendy Bollywood music video -- strange.Service was mediocre.  A three star review through and through... BUT based on our awesome experience with Tantric hosting our Yelpoween, combined with the fact that I was using the gift certificate Melissa and I won for the costume contest... the review is bumped to 4 stars.

by Amanda H.

After first coming here for the Yelpoween event, I was determined to come back. After a loooooong 3 hours at the movie theater (thank you Brad Pitt) Joe and I (along with fellow Yelpers Calvin C. and Jenny N.) decided to grab something to eat. I suggested Tantric, rather selfishly, since I had a coupon for BOGO Free ($10 max, boo).Anyway, it was practically empty, but it was about 3:00PM so I wasn't too surprised. They were running a lunch buffet, but unsure of whether they would take my coupon or not, we opted for the menu.Interesting side note: If you purchase their Karma Sutra martini, you get a $20 gift card to Too Timid. I did not partake this time :)Onto the meals, I ordered some Naan, of course and the Chicken Madras, medium spiced. It wasn't very spicy at ALL, which was disappointing. I like my Indian food HOT, but I always order medium the first time, because I feel it is a true test to whether they can live up to the spice. If this was medium, then their spicy must not be much different...Ah well, my meal was passable, which would be ok if the entire meal wasn't $16.00!!!! If my meal is going to be that much, it needs to be more than passable. While the portions did leave me stuffed the flavors were not particularly rich. The Naan was splendid however. Our total even with our discount was still more than $30, which I feel wasn't entirely worth it. I've had Indian food about 10x better at 10x less the price. Can't say I will be coming back any time soon.

by Julia M.

So after I posted this review, Mary, the owner, contacted me on Yelp and gave me some great news: "I am a vegetarian as well and want to let you know that the chef prepares the masala sauce that goes in the chicken tikka masala separately so you can order that with paneer or better yet with the Kumbh Palak Kofta on our menu.  So you can actually have the masala sauce and not dream of it anymore!  Just tell your server that you want the kumbh palak kofta but in the masala sauce.  It isn't on the menu but tell them Mary told you about it." Thanks for the tip Mary!  I'll be sure to check it out. Dinner last night was darn tasty.  We got garlic naan (hard to screw up, true), raita, the vegetable…

by Caitlin C.

Tried some of their food (something with chicken, not quite sure what it was) at the Red Carpet Gala tonight..and it was definitely good. I'm looking forward to checking this place out! I'll update once I've gone.

by Daniel M.

I know very little when it comes to Indian food.  I tend to stick to buffets (I know, shoot me in the face) so that I can try out a variety of dishes with little worry about being stuck with something I don't care for.  That being said I ventured to Tantric sans buffet to try out my luck.  Good thing I did.We were seated right away and left alone with our menus for a few minutes until our server arrived.  This was fine as it gave me a chance to take in my surroundings.  The place is really nice.  Very near being over the top but not quite. They have maximized their small space and manage to pull of an interesting, warm interior without turning in to an Asian Bennigans.  When our server arrived he walked us through the menu trying to keep us (unsuccessfully it turns out) from getting overwhelmed.  There's a lot to choose from and this is what usually shuts me down.  After about 15 minutes we decided on saag paneer, rosemary naan, and vegetarian pizza (right?).  A few moments later our food arrived and WOW.  First of all the saag paneer was delicious.  I like that they kept it simple and flavorful but not greasy.  So good.  The naan was light, full of yummy rosemary, and paired well with our dish.  But seriously the real star was the pizza.  One large piece of naan topped with the masala sauce, peppers, onion, and mozzarella.  CLEARLY not authentic this was off the hook.  It was so good that I've been thinking about it for days since.  The pizza was light, cheesy, slightly sweet, and bursting with flavor.  Why on earth are there not more Indian themed pizzas out there?  This is a fusion I can get firmly behind.  Our bill was not out of control even with additional naan and a (wicked sour and super good) lime soda.  Mind you we didn't partake of their alchy bevvies so that may have helped a bit.  I enjoyed my trip to Tantric and am very much looking forward to my next pizza adventure.

by Edward O.

Good, reasonably priced (for Boston) Indian food with decent service.  Nice cocktail selection which includes a Hendrick's with cucumber.  Can't say no to that.

by Tiff D.

Review based on a sample appetiser. First time eating Indian food. Tried some chicken and a curry shrimp dish at the Yelp Red Carpet Event. It was delicious! The servers were very pleasant, even folding up a menu for my friend to stuff in tiny her purse. I will definitely be going here to try out their menu. So far. 4 stars

by Jenn S.

Sampled some more fare at the Yelp Red Carpet Harvard Natural History Museum event the other night.Still very good!The servers were very friendly and anxious to educate us on the food. I immediately signed up for the cooking classes! My friend and I went here Saturday night for a Girls' Night. It wasn't what either of us expected -…

by Jamie F.

Had a great time with the girls here for a high school reunion dinner.  After reading the Yelp! reviews here, I ordered the chicken tikka masala and LOVED it.  Much better and spicier than what's served at the food courts and local Indian restaurants that I've been to.  You can eat individual- or family-style (recommended).  I also ordered an Indian Sunset drink, which was a good size and tasted wonderful.  I tried some of my friend's garlic and rosemary naan bread - both yummy!  I might've filled up on too much rice because I did have some chicken left over.  The prices are up there, but you'll be satisfied.  Our waitress was adorable and so nice - easily handled our multiple payment methods.  For once, a server actually took our group photo right - no one's head was cut off.  No need for reservations.  And I really like the decor: warm/deep colors, comfy booths, intimate lighting.  Next time, I'll definitely have to try the lunch buffet.

by Dara C.

This place probably has the best weekday deal I've ever seen in Boston. $2 PBR drafts, $4 glasses of wine and $3 - 4 appetizers from 8:30 on, Monday through Friday. (Whaaaaat?) The restaurant itself was pretty empty on a Thursday but we camped out at the bar, and for good reason. The food was quite decent, and full of fire. The gobi Manchurian was fantastic: sauteed cauliflower that was spicy, onion-y and slightly sour. Two types of bread were good, though the green chili cheese naan was surprisingly bland. Veggie pakora was a tad overfried in that they didn't taste like veggies but, hey, fried stuff ... good stuff ... Chicken tikka was standard. The rest of the menu looks pretty average and a tad on the expensive side. (Is it location? Probably.) Apps will run you about $10 apiece and entrees are $15 to $20, even some of the veggie things that are less than $10 elsewhere. I don't know if I would fork over that kind of change when there's fantastic Indian takeout for mere pocket change elsewhere. But that bar deal, which is a genius move on the owners' part, is entirely useful. I plan on returning. Gobi gobi gobi.

by Dara C.Jamie F.Jenn S.

This place probably has the best weekday deal I've ever seen in Boston. $2 PBR drafts, $4 glasses of wine and $3 - 4 appetizers from 8:30 on, Monday through Friday. (Whaaaaat?) The restaurant itself was pretty empty on a Thursday but we camped out at the bar, and for good reason. The food was quite decent, and full of fire. The gobi Manchurian was fantastic: sauteed cauliflower that was spicy, onion-y and slightly sour. Two types of bread were good, though the green chili cheese naan was surprisingly bland. Veggie pakora was a tad overfried in that they didn't taste like veggies but, hey, fried stuff ... good stuff ... Chicken tikka was standard. The rest of the menu looks pretty average and a tad on the expensive side. (Is it location? Probably.) Apps will run you about $10 apiece and entrees are $15 to $20, even some of the veggie things that are less than $10 elsewhere. I don't know if I would fork over that kind of change when there's fantastic Indian takeout for mere pocket change elsewhere. But that bar deal, which is a genius move on the owners' part, is entirely useful. I plan on returning. Gobi gobi gobi.Had a great time with the girls here for a high school reunion dinner.  After reading the Yelp! reviews here, I ordered the chicken tikka masala and LOVED it.  Much better and spicier than what's served at the food courts and local Indian restaurants that I've been to.  You can eat individual- or family-style (recommended).  I also ordered an Indian Sunset drink, which was a good size and tasted wonderful.  I tried some of my friend's garlic and rosemary naan bread - both yummy!  I might've filled up on too much rice because I did have some chicken left over.  The prices are up there, but you'll be satisfied.  Our waitress was adorable and so nice - easily handled our multiple payment methods.  For once, a server actually took our group photo right - no one's head was cut off.  No need for reservations.  And I really like the decor: warm/deep colors, comfy booths, intimate lighting.  Next time, I'll definitely have to try the lunch buffet.Sampled some more fare at the Yelp Red Carpet Harvard Natural History Museum event the other night.Still very good!The servers were very friendly and anxious to educate us on the food. I immediately signed up for the cooking classes! My friend and I went here Saturday night for a Girls' Night. It wasn't what either of us expected -…

by Dara C.Jamie F.Jenn S.Tiff D.

This place probably has the best weekday deal I've ever seen in Boston. $2 PBR drafts, $4 glasses of wine and $3 - 4 appetizers from 8:30 on, Monday through Friday. (Whaaaaat?) The restaurant itself was pretty empty on a Thursday but we camped out at the bar, and for good reason. The food was quite decent, and full of fire. The gobi Manchurian was fantastic: sauteed cauliflower that was spicy, onion-y and slightly sour. Two types of bread were good, though the green chili cheese naan was surprisingly bland. Veggie pakora was a tad overfried in that they didn't taste like veggies but, hey, fried stuff ... good stuff ... Chicken tikka was standard. The rest of the menu looks pretty average and a tad on the expensive side. (Is it location? Probably.) Apps will run you about $10 apiece and entrees are $15 to $20, even some of the veggie things that are less than $10 elsewhere. I don't know if I would fork over that kind of change when there's fantastic Indian takeout for mere pocket change elsewhere. But that bar deal, which is a genius move on the owners' part, is entirely useful. I plan on returning. Gobi gobi gobi.Had a great time with the girls here for a high school reunion dinner.  After reading the Yelp! reviews here, I ordered the chicken tikka masala and LOVED it.  Much better and spicier than what's served at the food courts and local Indian restaurants that I've been to.  You can eat individual- or family-style (recommended).  I also ordered an Indian Sunset drink, which was a good size and tasted wonderful.  I tried some of my friend's garlic and rosemary naan bread - both yummy!  I might've filled up on too much rice because I did have some chicken left over.  The prices are up there, but you'll be satisfied.  Our waitress was adorable and so nice - easily handled our multiple payment methods.  For once, a server actually took our group photo right - no one's head was cut off.  No need for reservations.  And I really like the decor: warm/deep colors, comfy booths, intimate lighting.  Next time, I'll definitely have to try the lunch buffet.Sampled some more fare at the Yelp Red Carpet Harvard Natural History Museum event the other night.Still very good!The servers were very friendly and anxious to educate us on the food. I immediately signed up for the cooking classes! My friend and I went here Saturday night for a Girls' Night. It wasn't what either of us expected -… Review based on a sample appetiser. First time eating Indian food. Tried some chicken and a curry shrimp dish at the Yelp Red Carpet Event. It was delicious! The servers were very pleasant, even folding up a menu for my friend to stuff in tiny her purse. I will definitely be going here to try out their menu. So far. 4 stars