Ettan, Palo Alto CA

The quality and flavor of the food were impressive, and we enjoyed the meals. However, our experience was dampened by the rushed service. Despite having a reservation for 8: 45 PM, we felt pressured to place our entire order at once, which was quite unnerving. The waiter informed us straight away that we had to place our last order, causing an inconvenience as we had to hastily choose our appetizers and main courses. This hurry didn't allow us proper time to peruse the menu thoroughly.

Our plan to savor our meal course by course with associated drinks was disrupted as we found ourselves rushing through the orders due to the restaurant's apparent haste. Moreover, we faced the issue of having our appetizers and main courses served simultaneously, leading to our main dish becoming cold while we were still on the starters. The naan bread also ended up tough and chilly, greatly affecting the overall taste and dining experience.

Given that we were celebrating a birthday, we chose Ettan for what we anticipated would be an enjoyable, leisurely dinner. However, after spending $80 for two people, we felt the experience was far from satisfactory due to the hassle. Rather than an enjoyable dining experience, it felt like we were just filling up our stomachs, something we could have achieved at a less expensive restaurant. Ettan should be above such practices.

If the restaurant has an issue with kitchen closing times, I believe they should consider not accepting reservations around that period. This would ensure future patrons don't face the same inconvenient rush while dining.

Exceeding all my expectations, this Indian restaurant is an unparalleled gem in the culinary landscape. From the moment I stepped in, I was enraptured by its unique ambiance and warm hospitality. The staff's professionalism was evident in every interaction, ensuring a seamless dining experience. The service was not only prompt but also executed with remarkable efficiency, adding to the overall satisfaction.

Now, let's talk about the cocktails – they were not just good, but exceptional, setting the perfect tone for the gastronomic journey ahead. And speaking of the food, it was nothing short of divine. Each dish was a symphony of flavors, expertly blended to create a culinary masterpiece. If there's a taste of heaven, it surely resonates in every bite served here.

What truly impressed me was the balance of spices – nothing was overpowering; instead, each spice was meticulously calibrated to achieve the bliss point of flavor. And when it comes to desserts, they elevated the dining experience to new heights. Every spoonful was a revelation, leaving me craving for more.

While the price point may be considered high by some, it's undoubtedly justified by the unparalleled quality and experience offered. In conclusion, this restaurant is not just a place to dine; it's a journey for the senses, an experience worth every penny.

Ettan is must visit restaurant for Indians living near Palo Alto as it serves you delicious and tasty Indian food with some innovations. I enjoyed Chicken Biryani, Paneer butter, Maa ki daal, Vegetables Sag (Kale based not spinach) including some starters. Almost every item was well prepared and good to taste. Yes, their service is very fast which I would like to appreciate.
The ambience is also good with Exception of Paintings or photographs displayed on side wall. These pics in no way represent new India and it seems Restaurants management still hanging in Pre Independent India. They show gloomy picture whereas India is today fifth largest economy. Progressing in Sc and Tech, infrastructural development. Better to put some pics like different forms of dance, colorful festivals etc and this will connect people with India's rich heritage.

A unique way of presenting Indian snacks. Tasty and quite filling. Couldn't try maa ki daal and shahi paneer as no space in stomach. Will go again.

EATING AT ETTAN WAS EXTRAORDINARY! We started off with the Dream of Tahini drink and the octopus. The octopus was absolutely phenomenal! The spices on top complemented the octopus amazingly and were absolutely flavorful! The octopus was cooked amazingly and it was not chewy or slimy in the slightest! The dream of tahini was very complex and it was a tad bit tangy, but it added to the flavor of the drink! It was also very creamy because of the coconut milk which I loved! We also got the kale saag which was also really good. It was creamy and the paneer and cranberry combo was creative and tasty. They put them into little balls and placed them in a creamy spicy almost curry! The paneer makhani was also off the charts tasty! The saffron was dominant in the dish! It wasn't too sweet or creamy like other places, but it had its own tasty niche and had lots of paneer to complement the curry! The kerala fried chicken was also really good. It was a little too greasy, but it was so tasty! The podi was amazing it was spicy and salty and had you salivating when paired with the crispy fried chicken. The dipping sauce the chicken came with was also really good. It was similar to a tzatziki! The service was really nice as all the servers were kind and cordial, and the ambiance was beautiful! I reccomend sitting outside! It also wasn't crazy expensive so if you want a fancier place that doesn't burn a hole in your wallet check out ETTAN! OVERALL I highly reccomend to others and make sure to pay ETTAN a visit!

I was SUPER excited to try this spot and there are definitely some highlights, but there are also many areas that "need improvement. " First, if you want to hear others at your table, consider eating elsewhere. If you want the server to hear you, likewise consider other options. I'm not even sure that if all the servers were able to hear you, they'd understand you. There were many VERY simple requests, including one for tea or chai - and the server was just boggled - which in itself is boggling. The fundamental dishes were good, but not nearly as unique/special as I'd expected. While I loved the energy and promise of this spot, it fell short overall and I'd far prefer a humble Indian restaurant in a strip mall with fantastic food and the ability to hear and understand others around you.

Ettan has a great atmosphere and food was good. However, the food was luke- warm, on the colder side, especially the Samosa Pie and Vad bread for the Baked Eggs. Both would’ve tasted better if it was warm/ hot. And lastly, my mango lassi came toward the end of our meal. For the price of Ettan, the food was good but the service was alright.

We highly recommend the Samosa Pie and Baked Eggs

Food was disappointing and a complete rip off. And service was mediocre for the price. Drinks were tiny for the price. The food tasted good but for example two lamb chops for an entree were for $54. That was just so wrong. And the sides that came with the dishes did not go well with the main dish. I’m a flavor expert and this food for the price was definitely not worth it. Certain dishes were better than others. The bread was good for example but the experience overall is what you paid for and for my sisters 50th bday it was definitely a disappointment. They also charge for ice cubes and they charge for some living wages fee which they don’t disclose until you get the bill. Rip off. Do not go until management makes some huge changes

The ambiance was very fun, service was great. We didn't have cocktails this time, but they looked delicious on the menu. However, the food was underwhelming. It was heavily spiced as we would expect from Indian food, but the balance of spices was consistently off.
2 tasty starters: the chutney sampler had great flavors and the sesame leaf chaat was a fun, vibrant snack with tasty flavors and a BIG crunch.
Disappointing: burrata kulcha didn't really resemble kulcha at all (more like a flattened dinner roll), and the flavor profile was more Italian than anything else (I got mostly pesto). The maa ki dal tasted like burnt charcoal. I don't mind some smoke flavor in my food, but this tasted absolutely carcinogenic. The kale saag was not bad, but not special. And my partner said the duck was indeed tender and well cooked, but he didn't find the flavor very interesting.
Dessert was a win: we tried the grapefruit and lichee and we loved it.
Overall I would consider coming back to try the cocktails with a snack/dessert, but I don't think I would return for a full meal.

Ettan serves up exquisite Indian food in a fine dining atmosphere. We made a reservation on a Friday evening in the enclosed patio, and even though it was cold, the heated lamps kept us warm and the general ambience was pleasant. I recommend getting the monkey buns and sesame leaf chaat for starters. The good garden drink was nice (cucumber flavored) but overpriced. We loved our entrees (all vegetarian) - the kabocha mango curry with rice and the mamu kheema filled in the pav were both fantastic. We were stuffed by the end of the meal so you'll definitely get your money's worth. My friend also got the tender jackfruit (their take on the vada pav) which he really enjoyed. Overall, I'd highly recommend this place!

They serve amazing modern Indian food. Ordering their Jackfruit Vadapav is a must! It's that good. Other chaat options are pretty good too. We tried their Kale Saag which was surprisingly good. There are limited options for vegetarians though. Don't forget to reserve a table well in advance.

I really enjoyed the food here. As someone familiar with Indian cuisine, ettan is both familiar and experimental. The new take on familiar Western and Indian dishes were very innovative.

The price is a bit on the higher side but the ambience makes up for it!

Amazing place with a great Ambience and delicious food.
Sesame leaf chaat is a must try!

Great for a special evening out. Reservation policy is too restrictive and extremely hard to get to the restrooms.

This is a great place to try Indian fusion food in South Bay. It’s more of a fine dining, so the price is justified. The ambience is beautiful, food is delicious and is interesting. One of the few places in South Bay that I wish was in SF haha.

Highly recommend getting a reservation in advance