This is the first post in a new series I’m starting here on My Homemade Life called “New Bites.” I often want to showcase the great and delicious restaurants we’re eating at and recipes we’re making at home, so I hope you’ll all enjoy this new project. This is not a restaurant-review initiative – I am NOT being paid to or given free things for my feedback. This is simply MY personal experience trying new restaurants and recipes as a beloved hobby and part of my life.

First up is our dinner experience at Amara Kitchen and Bar – a new Indian-American restaurant in Inman Park, Atlanta. We snagged a Scoutmob Hand-Picked deal for this outing, which was a deal that let us sample a few different dishes and drinks. 

The layout of the restaurant is a little strangle. The street-level houses the lounge and bar which was beautiful and made for great people-watching. The restaurant, however, was down a half-level and windowless. It didn’t have much atmosphere and felt isolated from the rest of the space. 

That said, we had good service and started with a glass of wine and a gin cocktail, as well as the the charred octopus marinated in yogurt, ginger and garlic. It was tender and flavorful, and beautifully plated.

We then shared the Tandoori Paneer, which was an extra appetizer outside of our Scoutmob deal. I just had an incredible Tandoori Paneer at Pinch of Spice in Agra, India a few weeks before and while this was, honestly, never going to live up to what I had in India, it was very good. I would definitely recommend it as an accurate representation – and because marinated Indian cheese that’s char-grilled is always a good idea. 😉

We each ordered an entree as part of the deal and I had the tumeric-marinated salmon cooked in tandoor over wilted spinach and a delicious edamame puree. The salmon was such a generous portion I couldn’t finish it all. This was more of the “fusion” side of the restaurant and they did a really nice job.

Sean ordered the Tandoori Poussin – whole chicken marinated in yogurt, ginger and garlic that came with a side salad. While tasty, there could have been more thought and creativity in the side – something that would have gone a bit better with the protein.

All in all this was a good meal but the atmosphere was strange with the lower-level dining room and – honestly – we don’t get to Inman Park that often. I love Indian food, especially after my trip to India earlier this year but we have many places up in Chamblee and Decatur that we have yet to explore. However – if you live near here or are just looking for something new and different, this is a solid spot and I felt the dishes were a good value.

Happy eating!