Zayaka Indian Cuisine - Raleigh

This place has been here for 5 years and I am just now finding it. How sad. They offer a number of familiar dishes but the recipies are different giving them a new flavor. They also offer dishes I was not familar with. I visited on Mother's Day and we purchased the buffet which is normally only available during the week for lunch. I think we got lucky. The staff was friendly. The foods were tasty and some had a little kick to them. None were overly hot spicy but all was kept very hot on the buffet. I am planning a return visit so I can sample the dishes I had no room for this last time out. Everyone is strongly encouraged to come along! For those not familar with Indian foods they are mostly vegetarian, but not all. They don't serve beef but they do serve lamb and goat. Of course chicken and fish are available but most, like spinache paneer have no meat. Still VERY flavorful, filling and a bargain as the cost of 2 buffet was only $30.

Food is North Indian. It is excellent . Service is polite and attentive. Our first experience, we were in the larger group area and had noisy neighbors. The second time we were by ourselves. But when we left the booths were all full and the noise level was moderate. The restaurant seems to have a good mixture of clients with various backgrounds.

We were seated next to front door bad draft. Service was very slow. Food was average.

We were early birds at the restaurant, but we were made welcome and given an extensive menu to browse through. We tried the mixed appetizer, which was well cooked. We then had the beef Biryani and chick pea curry. Both were very good. Service was pleasant and efficient. Overall, we enjoyed our Indian experience very much.

Murky daal, murky customer experience. Ordered simple daal and roti for take out. Picked up order without issue only to later find that the container was only 1/2 full. Further, the daal was watery and tasteless. When called regarding the issue, I was offered a complimentary daal to be picked up. I requested they deliver. 1 hour later, the Manager, Dolly (who I later find is actually not the Manager but helps with delivery brings the daal to my home. She presented herself professionally, took responsibility and stated we missed the mark. But, then she returns to my home (past 10:30 pm now! to pick up the old daal to show to the Chef. When asked how is she going to correct this situation/experience, she offers a refund and a call back the next day by noon w/ feedback from the Chef. No call back, no refund. I call 1 week later to check in regarding the feedback, I am then routed to call the Owner. Owner Kashev acknowledges that the daal was not made to their quality standards and the container (which he has still kept in the refrigerator eek! was in fact not filled appropriately either. When asked why did he not call me the next day with an explanation or apology, he responds he was too busy. When asked about the refund that was offered by his manager , he asks me if I genuinely felt it was needed now. Further, he says his system cannot do refunds, you may return to pick up your check. I decline the check as I perceived that he genuinely felt it was not warranted since they were able to remake it (he says he made it himself the second time . All I wanted was an apology, for them to follow through on their statements, and know that in the future quality will be assured. Zayka and their management missed the mark several times I gave them ample opportunity to correct the simple mistake and each time they blundered.