Restaurant Review

To all,
This is my review for one of our favourite restaurants - Barbeque Nation

Restaurant review: Barbeque Nation

It was in the middle of the week that the urge to try out a new restaurant hit the entire family en masse. As usual, reservations were my responsibility. Thank goodness for Google and online reservations! I was surprised to see the rates – Rs. 550 per head (plus taxes) for an all-you-can-eat buffet including unlimited starters. It seemed like terrific value for money. However, an inner voice, born from the experiences of ‘inexpensive’ restaurants, cautioned against expecting too much. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, shouted the opposing voice of adventure…
We reached there well in time, thanks to my mother’s penchant for shepherding the family at least half an hour early. The waiting area was filled with the lesser mortals called impromptu Saturday night diners. Our family of four – my parents, bratty younger brother and I – glided past them, silently pitying their lack of foresight. Already our stomachs were beginning to growl, helped in good measure by the scene before us. Sizzling and popping sounds emanated from the main barbeque area in one corner. Curling tendrils of smoke wafted and tickled our nostrils with the smoky, succulent odours of roasting meat and vegetables. At every table, people were stuffing themselves with various yummy looking starters. That inner voice of caution was starting to lose strength.
The pretty hostess showed us to our table. The lighting was soft enough to set a pleasant mood, yet bright enough to be able to read the menu and see the food. The décor was pleasant, understated, with wood tables and chairs, and a family corner with low slung tables and sofas, where our table was placed. The first thing I noticed was the square depression in the middle of the table, with grooves at its edges. My over-inquisitive brother immediately ducked under the table to investigate – and reported the discovery of a heating grill under the depression. The efficient waiter had already arrived, and was doing a commendable job of controlling his amusement at my brother’s antics.
The waiter explained the raison d’être of the depression, “Ma’am, at Barbeque Nation, we have developed a unique method of serving grilled food. Normally, the grilled pieces of meat and vegetables cool down before reaching the table, which lessens their taste and our patrons’ satisfaction. At our restaurant, the starters are cooked 90 percent at the main grill and brought to your table. The heater and the metal trough complete the remaining ten percent and you can enjoy your starters absolutely hot and fresh”.
The concept delighted and intrigued us, and we told the waiter to bring it on. He did, and how!! All four of us pride ourselves on being foodies, able to pack it in at every opportunity. That day, we were floored by the sheer range and taste of the starters there. It stared with the ubiquitous Chicken Tikka, which was elevated to an objet d’art by the use of excellent spices and the freshest, most succulent meat. Grilled Tiger Prawns, so large they couldn’t fit into one mouthful, were cooked to biteable consistency without the rubberiness that threatens this food item. The Fish Amritsari Tikka’s crisped skin revealed tender, flaky, exquisitely spiced meat inside like a loved one granting an unexpected favour. We are not very big fans of mutton; it’s difficult to cook at home and even more difficult to get a well cooked version outside. The Mutton Sheesh Kababs melted in the mouth and made us drool. Wonder what their preparation involved?
Vegetarians need not despair; the herbivorous offerings matched the carnivorous ones, if not surpassing them. Huge chunks of paneer marinated in the special in-house spice mix and cooked to golden perfection. Yummy button mushrooms stuffed with heavenly Parmesan cheese and grilled to melt-the-cheese and melt-in-the-mouth status. Stuffed capsicum – with nothing less than a cashew-based filling inside. Our family of confirmed meat-eaters too rejoiced in the taste of these vegetarian delights. The piece de resistance was Dahi ke Kabab – chunks of hung curd cooked in the barbeque method. The crisp breaded crust gave way on the first bite to yield a soft heart of delicately herbed yogurt. My mother made several attempts to get the recipe for that one, including using her ‘motherly’ (read: emotional blackmail) skills on the waiter and hostess, but was unsuccessful. The extensive wine menu made for good accompaniments to the starters.
After spending a good hour on these grilled delights, there was almost no room left for the main course – the key word being almost! Actually, the main course paled in front of the sheer splendour of the starters. There were 2-3 gravy based meat dishes, the too common Hakka Noodles and Chicken Manchurian, and some Pulaos. These people knew what to promote and how! Fortunately, my brother noticed the dessert buffet table before we spent valuable stomach space on the main courses. Now this table was filled with sinful delights guaranteed to take you straight to heaven; or hell, depending on your outlook towards desserts. The four of us went straight to chocolate and cream filled heaven.
The dessert table had Indian as well as ‘foreign’ desserts. My mother freaked out on the Gulab Jamuns and combined them with vanilla ice cream (it actually tastes good). My brother and I both could easily qualify for Chocoholics Anonymous after generous helpings of the Chocolate-Coffee Mousse and the Dutch Truffle pastries. The head of the family headed straight for the deep, rich Almond Walnut Chocolate Cake, its Vanilla cream icing adding a sweet edge to its robust taste. Bites from every plate were shared and stolen, no-one counted calories and three hours of sheer unadulterated family fun passed in a flash.
At the end of it all, we were more than happy to fill in glowing praises on the customer feedback cards provided by the ever-smiling and efficient waiting staff. The chef accepted our compliments with a huge smile and a surprisingly down-to-earth attitude. It was a sated and extremely happy family that made its way back home that night. Even the sight of our favourite Naturals ice cream parlour left us unmoved.