Baby Dragon, Sector 18, Noida

I had been on a look out for a nice Chinese place in Sector 18, Noida for a while. Till now Crazy Noodles was my default option but its ambiance is quite a turn off. Last Saturday me, PP and Servo met to celebrate PP’s birthday. While we were contemplating trying out which restaurant to try, one of our friends suggested we try Baby Dragon.

Baby Dragon is an Oriental cuisine restaurant & bar located in Sector 18, Noida, quite near to Centre Stage Mall.  For Starters me & Servo ordered Tom Yum soup while PP opted for Grey Vodka (large) along with Crunchy Baby Corn Mushroom, Dahi key Kabab and French Fries. For main course we had Veg Manchurian with Yaki Udon (Japanese style rice noodles).

While me and Servo relished the soup, PP found it to be a better version of Rasam. Crunchy Baby Corn Mushroom and Dahi Kababs got a thumbs up from all of us (though I have had better Dahi Kababs at Pind Balluchi, Indirapuram). Veg Manchurian was decent. However highlight of the dinner was Yaki Udon. It was the first time I had tried it and just loved it. Coupled with some exotic vegetables and Manchurian gravy it tasted superb.

The service was quite courteous with the manager coming to us and asking if we liked the food. The ambiance was apt, seating courteous. Adding to that, it is quite suitable for those looking for  a place for mid night dining (We entered this place at around 10:15 PM and it was close to mid night by the time we left). The meal costed us Rs 2600 including taxes (of which Rs 1000 was the cost of Vodka alone).

In all we were quite happy to come across Baby Dragon and I definitely recommend it those looking for a nice place to savour Chinese in Noida.

Review – Lemon Twist Noida Sector 63

Having tried both the ala carte and buffet versions, with two different set of groups, I feel qualified now to write a review on Lemon Twist situated in Noida Sector 63.

I will begin first with the Buffet version. Buffet is served at ‘Trance by Lemon Twist’. The ambiance is decent. They also have a bar area (not a part of the buffet deal). Now coming to food – the buffet was a mix of Chinese and Indian. We started with Soup (one variety was available only – Veg Hot and Sour) which was pretty good. There were no starters available unfortunately. In main course they had numerous options in Indian and Chinese. We tried Pindi Choley, Khumb Malai Matar, Hoshiyarpur key Kukkad (Chicken) and Mutton Roganjosh. While Pindi Choley and Khumb Malai Matar were delicious, we also loved the Chicken and Mutton dishes. I personally loved the gravies of both Chicken and Mutton dishes but the pieces were huge (though very well cooked) which made them look unappetizing. Also it would have been good if the food was more warmer than what it was.

The desserts consisted of Gulab Jamun and Ice cream. We tried Gulab Jamuns and just loved them.

Though buffet is advertised for Rs 315/-, including taxes it comes out to be Rs 404/- per person. Given the complete lack of starters and lesser varieties in desserts I found the price a bit steep. Also since it was essentially a self service, I found little logic in being charged Service Charges (@ 10%). While I would definitely suggest that you give the place a try, I have had a better experience at Barbeque Nation, Janakpuri.

The ambiance for ala carte’s section is better than of Buffet’s. However the service is much slower. Infact we had to make an extra effort to get their attention every time we needed something. The food tastes almost the same in both cases. The bill came around 4300 for the 8 of us (500 per head approx). So in case you are trying out Lemon Twist in a larger group, going for Buffet might turn out to be a more economical option.

Review-Pind Baluchi, Indirapuram

Another ‘gem’ in my MUST NOT VISIT list

Hope you got the sarcasm. If not, then let me elaborate. Pind Baluchi restaurant, Indirapuram (located in shipra mall) failed us in all respects – be it items on the menu, ambiance, food, flavor, service or presentation.

First of all the cutlery used to serve food was highly unappealing. It resembled ones that are found at a bachelor’s home – infact even they might be better. The dish used to serve biryani was broken around the edges.

Cutlery broken around the edges

Steel plates and bowls!!! Amazing

The ambiance was nothing to talk about. The menu seemed to be terribly short in variety – and the lack of options was more acute for vegetarians. The food was served with zero focus on presentation – the kababs were served with just plain pyaaz – that too cut in a distasteful manner. The pudina chutney was watery and completely lacked flavour (I dont rememeber having pudina chutney worse than this). The service was unattentive and slow with long waiting period inbetween starters and main course. At one point one of my collegues lost his patience and asked the waiter if ‘the food will be served today itself or should we come tomorrow’.

Now for some details on the food.

For starters we had dahi kabab, hara bhara kabab, murg shammi kabab and kalami kabab. Hara Bhara kabab was too dry and lacked taste. Coupled with a pathetic pudina chutney it became hard to swallow. Murg Kalami kabab got a thumbs down from all of us. While Murg shammi kabab just managed to get a pass, dahi kabab was the only starter relished by one and all. It was crisp and delicious. Infact we found it so delicious that we ordered 2 more plates of it.

Dahi Kebabs - the sole thing we liked

Main course however poured cold water on our remaining expectations. For main course we ordered Malai Kofta, Dal Makhani, Kadhai Murg,  bread and Pineapple Raita. Malai kofta was horrible – the koftas were salty, the gravy was worse and hard to even taste. Dal Makhani was bland. Kadhai Murg only managed to get a pass. Butter Rotis were too kadak and started crumbling. Pinapple raita was the only thing we liked.

Kadhai Murg was passable

Thats not all. The staff managed to spoil even the basic dessert – Gulab Jamun. Jamun’s were served extra hot – so much that they seemed to melt in the chashni making them unedible.

In all the experience at Pind Baluchi restaurant in indirapuram was horrible – in all respects. A meal for two will cost Rs 800 and is defintely not worth the money. The 9 of us who visited the place were united in opinion of never visiting this place again. If you too are looking for restaurants in Indirapuram/Shipra Mall, please avoid this one.

While the Pind Baluchi chain of restaurants in Delhi is famous for providing a village like experience in terms of ambiance and taste, their branch in Indirapuram is a black spot for them. I request the owners to focus on quality of their branches rather than just quantity.

Food Raid @ Tee Pee O & Chuski Paan

It was another Saturday evening and the venue for this week’s raid was Tee Pee O. Its located just next to PVR Rivoli (though i hadnt heard of the place before). But as is the case, Chuski waley bhaiya (Shashank Agarwal) decided we would raid this place and so at 7:30 PM we all assembled outside it.

Since its the festive season going on, i have been forced to become a veggie. The order consisted of Veg Pulav/Biryani, Mushroom Korma, Palak Paneer, Dal Makhani and Breads. Veg Pulav/Biryani was served with Mutter Paneer ki sabzi and onion. Since i have had much better stuff at Paradise and Bawarchi in Hyderabad i was pretty disappointed. The menu lists it as Veg Pulav (and not Biryani) but it was too fried and spicy to be considered in Pulav category either. It was more like Fried Rice ki Biryani It didnt taste bad but wasnt that good either.

Getting ready for the Raid

I liked Mushroom Korma-it was something i havent had anywhere before and just loved it. Palak Paneer was decent and so was Dal Makani. The food was on spicier side however the spiciness was not something that would make you sweat (the kind i prefer). Instead the spiciness just lingered in your mouth and throat. The non veggie foodies among us seemed quite disappointed too.

The entire place taken over by the FED gang

Cheeeeeeeseee

Tee Pee O is a place where you can grab a quick bite without any burden on your pocket (The meal costed us Rs 200 per person only). Its more like a Dilli ka Dhaba. If you are looking for fine ambiance and service, then it wont suit your bill for sure.

However the disappointment was short lived only. One of the FEDs suggested that we try out Chuski Paan (in front of Big Cinemas Odeon, Connaught Place). And so we marched straight to this place. Chuski Paan is paan filled with crushed ice and topped with various flavors. It comes in three varieties – Roohafza, Strawberry and Chocolate. The only condition it that the pan has to be eaten as a whole – you cannot bite it into pieces and eat it. Once u have swallowed the entire pan and try to chew the ice literally freezes your brain and then the flavors of pan slowly trickle in. Just loved the experience.

Highlight of the Raid - Chuski Paan

This FED raid was full of fun. Looking forward to my next raid

Review-Saravana Bhavan Restaurant, Connaught Place, Delhi

Dated – 21st August 2011

Value for Money

Tired from supporting Anna ji at Ramlila Maidan, we decided to treat our tummies. After much discussion the 5 of us decided to give Saravana Bhavan restaurant a try (a first time visit for all of us).

After a marathon walk we reached Saravana Bhavan in Connaught Place. 15 mins more of waiting, and we were finally ushered inside the restaurant. Saravana Bhavan is not a place where you go for ambiance or to get a royal service. Infact the service almost tiptoes into rude category. The reason – the 5 of us were alloted a table for 4. When we brought this to the incharge’s notice, he told us we had the option of either standing in the queue again or we could adjust. We told him that if a table with larger capacity got vacated before our order was served he could shift us, but the incharge was adamant on making us wait again. Not left with much of a choice we decided to adjust.

We ordered a couple of fixed thalis, a couple of dosas, and soft drinks. The highlights here too (like in Kaustubh restaurant) were the chutneys – more than 6 in number. Their sambar and coconut chutney were one of the best i have tasted. Fixed thalis consisted of 2 vegetables, dal, rasam, sambar, papad, pickle, pooris, rice and much more. Each of the gravies were yummy and blended perfectly with the pooris (i earlier used to associate poories with choley or aloo ki sabzi only). The rice however seemed to be of poor quality. The dosas were as usual good.

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The food for sure made up for the lack of service. The bill for five of us came around Rs 1000 – perfectly value for money.

So next time if your are in or around CP and looking for a place that gives you value for money then look no further – Saravana Bhavan should be your destination.

Review-South Indian cuisine-Kaustubh, GIP Noida

A visit to Kaustubh was long due. Mom and Sis were in mood for South Indian food and since we were in GIP, Kaustubh was my default suggestion.

My family is pretty much tired of my penchant to try new places and experiment different cuisines, especially when they have to accompany me . Some of the experiences have been a total disaster, while some have been an experience to cherish entire  life -So I was keeping my fingers crossed that Kaustubh wouldn’t disappoint them.

Kaustubh, though being a South Indian restaurant is not a typical Idli-Vada-Dosa place. Their USP is that they offer the best of cuisines from Andhra, Chettinad, Karanataka and more.

As usual I was in a mood to experiment so I decided to go for Palkatti Masala along with Parota and Appam. Sis opted for Chettinad Masala Dosa while mom went with Pondu (Garlic) dosa.

Palkatti Masala is a spicy Paneer gravy dish and amazing in taste – much better than any of the paneer dishes I have tried so far.The quantity was sufficient for two and had an abundance of Paneer in it. Parota was disappointingly small is size (and more so when it costed Rs 40 apiece). While Pondu dosa was good, Chettinad Masala Dosa was the best dish among the three. The masala stuffing was just superb – coupled with 3 varieties of chutneys the taste was unbeatable.

Chettinad Masala Dosa

After all this our tummies were still craving for more so we decided to try out Fried Cocktail Idli (yet another experiment). The fried idlis were coated in thick gunpowder flavor and were served with Coconut chutney. The idlis were yummy in taste but it was hard to eat more than two pieces. By this time our tummies were also full.

The bill came around Rs 800 including taxes and was totally worth the money. Thanks to Kaustubh I can persuade my family to experiment yet again J

Worth a Try

Thanks to Gulati I got a chance to try out Kings in Mayur Vihar, Phase 2. Gulati had won a coupon for a meal for two in a contest conducted by Red FM. The coupon entitled us for a meal worth Rs 2000 – Unlimited Beer, a soup, 2 starters, 2 main course dishes, rotis/naan, pulao and a dessert – more than enough for the two of us. However, after my experience at True Blue I was low on hopes.

We reached the place around 7:30 PM. The ambiance was bright – neither too well lit nor too dull – just the right tone for a comfortable evening. Ind vs Eng match was being screened LIVE too

The aquarium looks pretty nice

 

Comfortable lighting

In soups we tried Cream of Tomato which was pretty ordinary. However the starters – Chicken Tikka and Mutton Seekh Kabab – made up for it. They were served on a Sizzler Hot Plate – with cabbage and onion toppings and mint chutney which added to the flavor. Mutton Seekh Kabab was a bit on the spicier side – perfect for my Punjabi taste buds

Chicken Tikka

Mutton Seekh Kabab

For main course we had Murg Makhani and Veg Hydrabadi. Murg Makhani was medium spicy, quantity was sufficient for three. Veg Hyderabadi was more like Mix Veg with an abundance of Paneer and Beans. Both the dishes got a thumbs up from the two of us. With little room left in our tummies, we settled for Gulab Jamun for desserts.

The service was attentive, though a bit on the slower side. Also the washroom was bit cramped. But these two were the only low points in our experience. In all we had a memorable time at King’s – Certainly one of the restaurants to look forward to in Mayur Vihar.

Bar Seating – Yes

Live Music – Yes, Light music is played in the background

Take Away – Yes

The menu of the place can be found here .

View of Kings Restaurant Mayur Vihar from outside