Barbeque Nation, Andheri West
Ground Floor, Dreams Square, Daliya Estate, Off Link Road, Near Fun Republic Mall, Andheri Lokhandwala, Andheri West, Mumbai.
Phone No 022 6002 1001, 093200 05614
Phone No 022 6002 1001, 093200 05614
1300, 23rd August 2014, Saturday:
Barbeque Nation, the pioneers in introducing the international concept of personal live grill in India, is a mecca for the most divine of palate-pleasures in the country.
Barbeque Nation restaurant chain is owned by Indore-based Sayaji Hotels Limited. The first restaurant opened in Mumbai in as late as January 2006. Shortly after its start in Mumbai, it opened in other cities such as Bangalore,Chennai, Pune and Hyderabad. The restaurant had 40 outlets in India as of August 2014, including five in Mumbai at Worli, Andheri, Marol, Thane & Nerul.
Barbeque Nation, the pioneers in introducing the international concept of personal live grill in India, is a mecca for the most divine of palate-pleasures in the country.
Barbeque Nation restaurant chain is owned by Indore-based Sayaji Hotels Limited. The first restaurant opened in Mumbai in as late as January 2006. Shortly after its start in Mumbai, it opened in other cities such as Bangalore,Chennai, Pune and Hyderabad. The restaurant had 40 outlets in India as of August 2014, including five in Mumbai at Worli, Andheri, Marol, Thane & Nerul.
We were eight of us, driving to this place close to Fun Republic. And the moment we neared this place, we were amply taken care of. Valet parking first. Then the gentleman who had taken my reservations, Mr Hashmi, fussed about us all the way as on a personal mission to see that we end up leaving delighted. I also got to meet the Business Manager, Mr Pinto, who took me to a guided tour of the restaurant.
We settled down at a corner table waiting for the fireworks to begin. Soon the live grill embedded in the middle of the table was opened up for us. Since it was a first time experience for a few of us, we were sufficiently wowed.
We started with the soups first, Tom Yum Soup in chicken. Tom Yum Soup, for the uninitiated, is a Lao and Thai hot and sour soup characterised by its distinct hot and sour flavours, with fragrant herbs generously used in the broth. The basic concoction is made of stock and fresh ingredients such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, lime juice, fish sauce, and crushed chili peppers.
The broth here was well cooked, sufficiently spiced up to titillate your appetite, and served with bread sticks,loaves,croissants and butter cubes.
Just when we were getting accustomed to the surroundings while sipping on our consomme, the seekhs started arriving. You had Zulu Coriander Chicken and Chicken drumsticks (soft, tender chicken easily melting in the mouth). You had Mutton Lasooni Seekh (one of my personal faorites, a blend of garlic and mutton mincemeat). You had soft Mexican fish (absolutely buttery soft) and you had Coastal BBQ Prawns (fair sized, rightly cooked).
For the vegetarians you had large cubes of Paneer Achari Tikka, Veg Banjara Seekh Kabab, Dragon Spring Roll, Grilled sweet potato and Cajun spicy potato. We also had a request for grilled pineapple cubes and lo, we were rewarded with the same.
We had a whale of a time grilling our own starters in a choice of flavours – marinades and sauces – and enjoying them right off the grill!
We were in no hurry, and neither was the restaurant staff. We didn't even realise how an hour had disappeared within this elaborate exercise, and we were not even half way through. We savored each and every bite. We were also served with mineral water and offered a choice of welcome drinks - iced tea (peach, lemon, black currant), fresh lime soda, soft drinks, beer and mocktails - strawberry, lichi and khus.
Starters done, we dragged down the mini flag kept on our table as a sign for them to stop serving any more.
We got up for the Main Course. The Non Veg fare included chicken (Dum ka Murgh), mutton (Laal Maas), fish (Macher Jhol) and crab (Crab in Hot Basil Sauce). There was also Mutton Dum Biryani.
The Veg course included Thai noodles, Paneer Jalfrezie, Banana Kofta Curry, Kolhapur Mix Veg, Mirchi ka Salan and Tawa Veg.
There was White rice, Dal Tadka and Dal Makhani.
The crabs were large sized, shell ins, and broken into four or so pieces. It was a simple matter of crunching the shell by your teeth and getting to the soft mass within. They could've done well by providing with nut cracker tools though.
One of the supreme examples of their customised service reigned again when I expressed an apprehension of the Macher Jhol being a wee bit not soft and succulent enough to taste. It was as if an anathema to them, and immediately a bowl of freshly cooked (cooked, not reheated or reboiled) fish was brought to our table and it was doubly ensured that we were good.
The Mirchi ka Salan was a unique, not commonly found preparation and was a new experience.
We knew that we were dangerously close to being full, and we trod on cautiously. We raged triumphant and hi fived each other when we knew that after all these gastronomic barrages, we could still muster courage to glance at the desserts section.
The line of order was as follows: Angoori Gulab jamuns, Moong Dal Halwa, Indian Gujiya type mithai, Phirnee, Fresh cut fruits, Butterscotch Pastries, Panna Cotta, Peanut Fudge Brownie and Vanilla Ice Cream. All A grade, one better than the other, though I had a small misgiving that the ice cream flavors could have been more, and premium. But this is a small quibble.
Which brings us to the end of this story. But not still.
Just towards the climax, they brought in a special Strawberry cream cake to our table. This was an occasion to celebrate a silver wedding anniversary within our group, and they went the whole hog to do that. So you not only had this lovely looking cake, you had a loud playing of "Celebrations" number, you had clapping and you had photographs clicked, and a print out of the same immediately handed over. It was a velveteen performance conducted with creamy cattiness, and you were simply bowled over.
Doubtlessly this had to be the handiwork of the Cluster Manager Mr Sandeep Goel, who though couldn't make it to the venue, had orchestrated the entire affair. My special thanks to him.
Just towards the climax, they brought in a special Strawberry cream cake to our table. This was an occasion to celebrate a silver wedding anniversary within our group, and they went the whole hog to do that. So you not only had this lovely looking cake, you had a loud playing of "Celebrations" number, you had clapping and you had photographs clicked, and a print out of the same immediately handed over. It was a velveteen performance conducted with creamy cattiness, and you were simply bowled over.
Doubtlessly this had to be the handiwork of the Cluster Manager Mr Sandeep Goel, who though couldn't make it to the venue, had orchestrated the entire affair. My special thanks to him.
The verdict: Be prepared to get your taste buds assaulted, cajoled and seduced. Be prepared to be taken aback by the customer delight philosophy. Be prepared to get blown away by the chef's (a gent called Chetan, who also came over to greet me) dish after dish's visual and gustatory star bursts.
The ratings, they go like this:
The Food Quotient : Food Quality 4.5 / 5, Food Choices 4.5 / 5, Food Portion ---, Food Presentation 5 / 5
The Other Determinants : Location 4 / 5, Cleanliness 4.5 / 5, Warmth 5 / 5
The Hygiene Factors : Ambiance 3.5 / 5, Space quotient 3.5 / 5, Delivery time ---
The Conclusives : Food Price 3.5 / 5, Honesty 5 / 5, Overall Experience 4.5 / 5, Will I Visit again 4.5 / 5
PS: Bouquets / brickbats on the review can be addressed to [email protected] or submitted below.
The ratings, they go like this:
The Food Quotient : Food Quality 4.5 / 5, Food Choices 4.5 / 5, Food Portion ---, Food Presentation 5 / 5
The Other Determinants : Location 4 / 5, Cleanliness 4.5 / 5, Warmth 5 / 5
The Hygiene Factors : Ambiance 3.5 / 5, Space quotient 3.5 / 5, Delivery time ---
The Conclusives : Food Price 3.5 / 5, Honesty 5 / 5, Overall Experience 4.5 / 5, Will I Visit again 4.5 / 5
PS: Bouquets / brickbats on the review can be addressed to [email protected] or submitted below.
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