India Masala

Located on East Flamingo near Maryland Parkway, an area that apparently has ten Indian Restaurants within a one-mile radius, India Oven Masala Bar & Grill represents the union of prior occupant Indian Oven and the Strip’s India Masala, owner Ulzan Mehta recently taking over the elegantly decorated space and sprucing up the menu with specialty dishes from both the South and North of India.

An accountant by trade and restaurant owner by choice, a self-proclaimed love of food from his homeland seeing Mr. Mehta enter the ever-competitive industry later than many with a collection of old family recipes and regional influences, guests entering India Oven Masala will likely first be struck by both how well-lit and eye-catching the décor is, everything from the lobby featuring a gold statue of Ganesha to the bathrooms spotless, as too is the kitchen and bar.

Featuring a seven-page dinner menu in addition to a lunch buffet like almost every other Indian Restaurant in town, though several differences in each look to set India Oven Masala apart from the pack, the first of these is immediately evident on viewing the right side of the buffet-line where a live-kitchen producing both Naan and Dosa is located, one of only two of its kind in Las Vegas operating both afternoon and evening to produce fresh bread filled or topped with a bounty of unique ingredients.

Charging prices comparable to other such spots in town, the Buffet just $11.99 seven days a week including bottomless Mango Lassi, it was while tablemates enjoyed White Wine and Indian Beer that a glass of the thick Yogurt drink was enjoyed alongside appetizers including crispy Pappadum and piping hot Chicken Samosa, the latter far better than anything fried at Mt. Everest, Delhi or Urban Turban thanks to the lightness of the Batter, not to mention the finely diced Chicken teaming with aromatic spices.

Further impressed by Chili Paneer, the squeaky cubes of Cheese in a fiery red Sauce featuring Bell Peppers and Onions immediately bringing beads of sweat to the brow of one at the table, it was with the first of two sizable servings of Jasmine Rice that three entrees were presented, the ubiquitous Chicken Tikka Masala offering far more Meat than many while the cubed Lamb Vindaloo was served medium-spicy and delicious, though one diner felt the Protein was sort of dry while no one complained about Mixed Vegetable Curry that featured at least five different Ingredients all cooked to appropriate consistencies, a difficult task considering the fact that Eggplant is almost always rendered mushy in such cases.

Invited to take a short break from dining to visit the side-kitchen, a virtually spotless station where the ingredients and tradition of Dosa were explained by one of Ulzan’s employees, it was upon return to the table that two types of Naan including a unique version stuffed with Fruit and Nuts were presented along with a forearm sized Dosa, the crispy Pancake stuffed with fragrant Mashed Potatoes delicious on its own and even better with housemade Coconut or Tomato Chutney that is traditionally served as part of Breakfast in Southern India.

 Rounding out the meal with two Desserts, a bit of disappointment here as neither the Gajar Halwa nor Gulab Jamun listed on the menu were available, it was instead a small bowl of creamy Kheer and the previously unknown dish called Cassata that were served, the latter taking its name from an Italian Cake traditionally featuring Strawberries despite actually being quite similar to Spumoni topped with Dark Chocolate Chips and crumbled Pecans.

FOUR AND A HALF STARS:  Very good right up to the end, running out of a standard menu item without a doubt one of the cardinal sins of Restaurant ownership, it seems safe to say that India Oven Masala one-ups the competition by way of both its décor and cuisine, the latter offering far more to be explored at future visits and Mr. Mehta clearly committed to offering something a little different than the typical Las Vegas Indian dining experience.

Was just thinking if luck could get me another Indian meal in Vegas and viola, fairy godmother made my wish come true....there it was in the food court of a mall....good options to choose from plus a very generous helping, make one really content walking away....asked them to spice up my food but it still was on the sweeter side but.....

We ordered vegetarian North Indian and South Indian food. The portions were big and food was tasty.
It was on the milder side which is expected as they are catering to a wider clientele and not just people looking for authentic Indian.
The service was quick.....

Excellent food in Las Vegas. After a long day at Grand Canyon the thing you need is a delightful Indian food and we stumbled upon a perfect place. We ordered vegetarian thali and it was the best. Spices and taste reminded me of back home and it was the best food we had around Vegas. Highly recommended..

I did have much expectations since this place is in a mall. But the food was amazing. Authentic and flavourful. The portions were also very nice. Highly recommend. Pls get pau bhajji.

This has to be the best Indian restaurant. It doesn't have all the bling compared to other Indian restaurants, but damn! The chicken masala is spot on goodness sent from the heavens of India. Tender chicken and the right spicy level hits the spot. Something I can crave for and would drive all the way here just to eat. Then I go to kungfu tea for taro with pudding slush 👌👌..Dominique is pretty awesome too 😁

By the first look at this place it looks a small shop in a food court but they have a very nice menu with lots of north and south Indian dishes. The service is ok but food is good. Loved the masala dosa and chole bhature! Highly recommend if you are craving Indian food!

Great food at a good price for something you'll find in Las Vegas! The naans were simply amazing! I enjoyed them so much with the curries I ordered. I ate the naans with paneer and chicken tikka masala! Both the curries had a lot of flavor and was served hot. The service person was very nice and polite to get whatever we needed. The rice was a bit hard, so if was difficult to eat.