Bentara Restaurant was first open in Connecticut in the town of North Haven in April of 1995. In May 1997, the operation was moved to our present location in the historic district of Ninth Square. Bentara Restaurant offers a blend of all different ethnicity & influences from Indian & Chinese cultures as well as Dutch, Portuguese & English to produce a unique mixture of dishes in the Malaysian dining experience.
"Found this restaurant on OpenTable, seemed to be well-reviewed. Hopes were high when the head waiter announced that this was the only authentic Malaysian cuisine in the U.S. That was what I was looking for, seeing as I'm from Malaysia. The food, however, was disappointing. It's nothing like what's served in Malaysia. Not even close. I'd say it's more like Asian-fusion-lite.
For example, I ordered their Beef Rendang. If you try it, you'll find it's poorly presented - looks like a curry with tiny chopped up pieces of meat - and is virtually unrecognizable to anyone from Malaysia.
Believe you me, you will be disappointed if you are hoping for anything other than a little spicy food.
Service, on the other hand, was outstanding."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We have eaten here many times and travel a good distance to do so. The food is always imaginative and delicious. The spices are amazing and the presentation is spectacular. It was my birthday celebration and our party was treated royally. The drinks were delicious and unusually strong. If you love to try different foods Bentara is a restaurant you will not want to miss."
Dined on 5/06/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Authentic Malaysian cuisine not found anywhere else in the USA. Can't recommend this place enough. One of New Haven's best. Ambience is energetic (usually)and the place is huge with different dining settings depending upon the type of crowd you're with. Be sure to try the chicken satay!"
Dined on 04/25/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Good portion size and large selection. Very varied menu. Food was very fresh and nicely presented. Very tasty and they regulated the hotness factor without sacrificing taste."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"I had been to Bentara several years ago and decided to return for Restaurant Week... the service was excellent and the food was absolutely fabulous- good to know that things have only gotten better over the years. A great place if you are looking for something different. Looking forward to returning more frequently!"
Dined on 04/24/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"They did a GREAT job, delicious food, great service!!! Yey!!!"
Dined on 03/29/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Awesome restaurant. However this was the first time I was in the back room which seems better suited for large parties. I much prefer the main restaurant for ambiance. It was very loud back there, especially due to a large party celebrating a birthday. But the overall experience was great. Good time, great food!!!"
Dined on 03/09/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"This was my second time at Bentara in a long while and my wife's first visit. The food was as good as I remember. My wife is a vegetarian and there were plenty of choices for her to pick from. Food was excellent. Will visit again."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Went with a last-minute 6:30 PM reservation for a Friday night - and was pleasantly surprised with a lovely window seat. Nice ambiance, excellent waiter. Had a house specialty martini, shared appetizer of beef/chicken sate (excellent) and mussels (outstanding). Salmon for dinner, my partner had a noodle dish. Really lovely, nice find in downtown New Haven which seems to be having a nice growth of good places to eat! Wish more of them were on Open Table."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, late-night find
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The particular night our party of 5 went to Bentara's, the Restaurant was very, very busy. The staff was still quite attentive. Have been to Bentara's over the years. Still has a fresh look. Food was well presented. Portionsare generous. A nice gem in New Haven."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
+1point
1of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.