Curry Up Now

I really want to give them a lower amount of stars based on how little I care about the food but the place doesn't deserve a bad rating. The main issue is that the food just isn't that great and I'd only come for the pani puri. Everything else is small in size and not worth it. Really, the only shining star is the mortar and pestle bar that is connected to this restaurant. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich, pani puri, and samosas. They need to offer fries or something more filling than those fried crisps. Also the vibe of the bar and the restaurant just don't mesh well. I won't be coming back for the food. But if I do end up here, I'll be ordering drinks from the bar and pairing it pani puri.

Updating my last review of this location. Nice space to come to for some drinks and food after work as well as a full meal. I came there to pick up a take out order. While I waited for my order to be filled, I went to the bar and had a regular old-fashioned. Served and finished just as the order was delivered to me to take out. Arriving home, the main orders were still hot, but the Perry Perry fries were getting a little cold. However, I will say that even cold they are still good and I ate them with relish. :-) Actually, I ate them with the dipping sauce they come with.And I want to add that their take out packaging is relatively green, which is a very nice thing to discover. The dipping sauce came in a compostable container. The main dish that my wife had came in wax cardboard with a plastic number five liner and the Perry fries also came in wax cardboard. It looks like. Thinking a little hard about it. There may be a little bit of plastic film in that cardboard, but at least it's not all plastic.So come on down!

I wish I could remember the name of the girl who helped us last night, I could tell she was newer to the staff - but she was awesome. She truly went above and beyond to make our experience great.I always look forward to being in this area since Santa Cruz doesn't have a Curry Up Now yet and it's one of my favorites.

I just so happened to sit next to the bar manager Brenden at Curry Up Now/Mortar & Pestle and he recommended the BEST drinks for my best friend and I. He personally crafted the recipe for a ginger & turmeric gin and tonic and a blue Hawaiian. Both were delicious and not too sweets. This is the perfect place for a pick me up. Definitely ask for Brenden the next time you come, he made our night.

Went to Curry Up Now with some coworkers on a Wednesday around 4:30pm. It was not too busy and we just so happened to be there for happy hour which is from 4-6pm. Cocktails were $9 so we ordered the mango sangria and the spicy margarita. Starters/snacks were buy one get one free so we ordered 2 bun samosa, one guac and chips, and one fried ravioli. Then we ordered the naughty naan.Mango sangria (2/5): The waiter put some perfume on it so it smelled good but otherwise it did not taste great. It tasted more like carbonated water and I didn't taste any mango flavor. The cocktail itself was not very strong either Bun samosa (4/5): This was solid. The samosa tasted good and there was a lot of butter on the bun so that tasted good as well. I liked the idea of a samosa burger. The peri peri fries that came with the samosa were alright.Guac and chips (2.5/5): This was average. I did not like the guacamole that much. It could have used more seasoning like salt, pepper, and lime.Ravioli (3.5/5): Simple but tasty. Deep fried cheese ravioli with tikka masala dip. I liked the cheese and the dish was nice and warm. Giving it a 3.5 since it is very straightforward Naughty naan with paneer (3/5): Looked delicious. There was lots of cheese and sauce on it. However, we were not fans of the sauce. It was a little sweet. I would have liked for it to be a little spicierService was on the slower side and it took time for our food to come out. We waited about 15-20 minutes for our drinks and appetizers. After we placed the order for the naughty naan, that took another 20-25 minutes. Some of the appetizers seem to be frozen and reheated and the happy hour cocktails are not that strong. My coworker also tried the complimentary happy hour chai and he said it did not taste fresh. Some good things were the ambiance and the background music. Our bill came out to be $80 which was not bad for a group of 4 but considering it was happy hour and the food wasn't very fresh, I didn't leave feeling very satisfied. I don't think I would come back

Curry-Up Now has truly outdone itself with their modern California twist on traditional Indian cuisine! From the vibrant atmosphere to the creative dishes, every aspect of this restaurant promises an unforgettable dining experience.The cocktails, like The Mortal & Pestle and Summer Whip, were not only visually stunning but perfectly crafted to balance refreshing and bold flavors.As for the food, the Samosa Chaat and Bhel Puri were authentic yet had a contemporary flair, while the Guac Sev Puri was a delightful fusion that took street food to a whole new level. For mains, the Paneer Naughty Naan was cheesy and satisfying, and the Chicken Tikka Masala Burrito delivered a creative take on comfort food. The Lamb Sexy Fries were indulgent and flavorful, and the Tandoori Fried Sandwich was a crispy, spicy masterpiece.To end on a sweet note, the Hot Balls on Ice was the perfect dessert--an exciting blend of hot and cold with a unique presentation.Chef Das was very kind and staff made sure the service was good

I wish I had a place like this at home. I was driving to the airport in SJ and didn't want to sit in an airport bar, so I found this spot on yelp. Cocktails at the adjoining bar and food from here. Really good. Come with hungry friends and try and share stuff.

Unexpectedly surprised by this spot, had been here in the past when they first opened up and just thought of it as ok. BUT noowww though, yall better not walk and run that azz to your nearest Curry Up Now! The revamped menu from Chef Bikram is hittin with all the spices and flavors and I can guarantee there's something for everyone. Some heavy hitters for me were the:- Spicy fried chicken (that cilantro chutney cooked with them onions really made that sandwich)- Indian flatbread (never had something like this before, pleasantly surprised and would def order again)HOT TIP: this location is one that also has a bar, I had an early lunch there so I didn't wanna TU that early but that won't stop me next time LOLLService was great with that staff being very helpful in explaining all the dishes to me. Vibes def were there, I could see that being a nice spot to hit up after work with your coworkers.

Curry Up Now is a trendy Bay Area chain serving up Indian street-food delights with an accompanying bar, Mortar & Pestle, usually located within the same space. At this location, the bar is just to the left of the entrance, with dining areas on both sides.The concept is modern and hip, with menu billboards near the ceiling. We mainly come here for the Indian fusion cocktails and bar snacks that pair perfectly with the drinks.On this visit, we tried the Holi Bhang, a playful nod to the Hindu festival of color. The dark rum-based drink, with rosemary, lemon-verbena, sage, aquafaba, and orange bitters, was beautifully balanced and refreshing--almost reminiscent of a tiki cocktail. In terms of food, we had the chicken 65, which was a flavorful and spicy dish with a delightful combination of textures. When you take a bite, the chicken is crispy on the outside, thanks to its deep-fried coating, yet tender and juicy on the inside. We also had a chance to chat with the bartender, who told us that all the drinks are crafted by a special mixologist and rotated constantly, so there's always a reason to come back. We also tried the Nimbu Pani Puri, a cocktail inspired by the popular Indian snack. It featured a house eau de vie blend, lemon, palm, pani puri water, and Jamaican bitters. While it was creative, it lacked the boldness of the Holi Bhang.Another reason to stop by is their great happy hour deals before 6pm on weekdays, with discounts on both drinks and some of their tasty snacks. Overall, a great spot for unique Indian fusion drinks and bites!

We used to frequent Curry Up Now in the past for dine-in, and sometimes catered work lunches, etc. But since the pandemic, it's been a while since we last visited. I am glad I got a chance to revisit them today.The dining area is colorful with painted walls. The restaurant has a full bar. Fairly spacious and could fit a few large groups.The service was friendly and nice. Tikka Masala Burrito (chicken): Their iconic Tikka masala with rice, Chana garbanzo masala, and sliced onions wrapped in a tortilla.Ghee Butter Makhni Burrito (chicken): mildly spiced butter masala with rice, Chana garbanzo masala, and sliced onions wrapped in a tortilla.The burritos were delicious, flavorful, and had a kick of spiciness to them.