ELCHI-Indian Restaurant Melbourne — Restaurant in Melbourne

Fabulous Food & Service , just a little let down with the No's...

Went there for my partner's birthday.

Our servers Lovesh and Juan were an absolute delight. They elevated our dining experience.

Atmosphere - The restaurant has a good atmosphere, went there on a weekday so not very crowded. The tables remind you of a very upstate American diner like style and has a cosy feel to it.

Food - We ordered for the dahi Puri, pistachio lamb chops, dahi ke kebab, smoked chicken tikka, Cheese Chilli Naan and Okra Fry.

Dahi Puri - An absolute flavour burst and a must try.

Pistachio Lamb Chops - Spot on the taste and doneness. The lamb was soft, however would have preferred more pistachio crumbs for an added texture.

Dahi Ke Kabab - An absolute delight, however by the time you reach towards your last bite it can get overloaded with the slight sweetness and cardamom flavour. Suggestion - Try adding finely chopped chilly and brunoised capsicums for a little added flavour and texture.

Smoked Chicken Tikka - My partner absolutely loved it, for me personally I prefer it less smoky but I can't complain. The flavour of the tikka minus the smoke is the best in Australia I have had so far. The chicken thighs are cooked to perfection and soft and juicy.

Cheese Chilly Naan - Finally found a restaurant that does that. The soft pillowy cloudy like feel once you dig into it, brings back fond memories.

Okra Fry - Spot on the taste, I think it was my favourite out of the all.

The entrées are designed to be more of a single serve portion rather than sharing. The mains I can only comment about the okra which is a good serve for 2 - 3 people.

Wanted to try the Burrata , however they are in the process of a menu change and was not available.

Service - the style is casual and the staff is friendly. Thank you Lovesh and Juan. Btw Juan is hot 😉 and knows what he is doing. (I wouldn't mind coming back for him 🤣)

The Let Downs (Please take this as constructive criticism).

When we were done with a few entrées and ordered for more, we were asked if we would like to change our plates (in which the entrées are served) When replied in negative, the response was we are not allowed to have other entrées in the plates in which entrées are served. Suggestion - Either the entrées are served onto the dining plate by the server or new dining plates are placed when the entrées are served.

Takeaways are not allowed citing the reason that the restaurant is cannot control the safety of the food outside it's premises and does not want its customers to fall sick. (Agree to the concern). However my partner and I being small eaters, We barely had 2 spoons of the okra which was delicious and wanted to pack the rest as we wanted to enjoy it later and also not waste food, but we had to let it go. There is a line on the menu card which mentions that diners are responsible for the food they consume, but that's ambiguous. Suggestion - have a waiver signed by the guest like we do in hotels.

The tables and seating need more care, there were spots on the table and the seating definately needs a polish.

I know this would be a huge expenses, however another thing that would elevate the experience is raising the floor level so that the seating is window level.

At times one gets the feel that the venue is trying to be borderline pretentious like some Michelin star restaurant, however to command that the finer details need to be worked upon.

Overall a fab experience and will definitely come...

An Enchanting Affair: The Epitome of Romantic and Upscale Dining

Nestled in the heart of Melbourne, Elchi, the restaurant embodies romance and sophistication like no other. From its enchanting ambiance to its impeccable service, it is the epitome of a romantic and upscale dining experience. Here's why this establishment stands out:

Romantic Atmosphere: The moment you enter, you'll be captivated by the intimate and romantic setting. Soft lighting, flickering candles, and elegant decor create a cozy and enchanting ambiance. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a romantic evening, this restaurant sets the perfect stage for an unforgettable experience.

Exquisite Culinary Delights: The menu showcases a delightful array of gourmet dishes prepared with finesse and creativity. Each plate is a work of art, thoughtfully crafted to tantalize both the taste buds and the eyes. From succulent seafood to perfectly cooked steaks, every bite is a revelation of flavors and textures. The chef's mastery shines through, making each dish a culinary masterpiece.

Attentive and Refined Service: The staff here excel in providing attentive and refined service. From the moment you're seated until the last sip of your wine, you'll be treated with the utmost care and professionalism. The servers are knowledgeable about the menu and are happy to guide you through the dining experience, ensuring that your evening flows seamlessly.

Fine Wine and Cocktails: To complement the exquisite cuisine, an impressive selection of wines and handcrafted cocktails awaits you. The sommelier's expertise in pairing the perfect wine with your chosen dishes enhances the overall experience. Sip on a beautifully crafted cocktail or indulge in a perfectly aged wine as you revel in the romantic atmosphere.

Intimate Seating: The restaurant offers intimate seating arrangements that provide privacy and comfort for couples. Whether you opt for a secluded booth or a table by the window, you can enjoy each other's company without distractions, creating an intimate and romantic setting.

Unforgettable Moments: A dining experience at this restaurant is not merely a meal; it's a collection of cherished moments. From the first toast to the lingering conversations over dessert, every second spent here is infused with romance and elegance. The combination of impeccable food, attentive service, and romantic ambiance creates memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.

In conclusion, if you're seeking a romantic and upmarket dining experience in Melbourne, this restaurant Elchi is an absolute gem. With its enchanting ambiance, delectable cuisine, attentive service, and intimate seating, it surpasses expectations. Whether it's a special date night or a celebration of love, this establishment will leave you with an enchanting and unforgettable evening that will linger in your hearts for...

9 pm booking for 31/12/24

I love the food and drinks at MASTI and that was the only reason which attracted me to visit Elchi.

Service:

We reached 25 minutes early for our 9pm-11pm booking, the staff was kind enough to give us a table earlier than our booking time.

We were very excited for our experience and were ready to order drinks and starters but were told that we need to order the mains as well, as it is restaurant policy.

What the waiter said didn’t sit right with me and I confronted him again asking to explain me the policy again and he didn’t have a very clear answer for me saying that the kitchen is closing at 10pm and all sort of different answers why i need to order mains now.

This left us feeling very stressed and pushed, well i’m paying for my food and don’t like to be pushed, my booking is till 11pm and will very well respect that.

Eventually we were ALLOWED to order the starters first with the threat that this may mean all your food will be delayed.

Food:

Expectations: the food will be something amazing and my taste buds would tingle and my brain will spiral to think how are these flavors put together, but unfortunately it was nothing like that

Reality, according to what we ordered:

Cocktails were all alcohol and no flavor. Vodka pani puri didn’t make any sense on the flavor profile. Dahi kabab were served with boiled chickpeas? Gunpowder gobhi was more like honey chilli gobhi. Bhindi, Daal and paneer were average mains with fancy leaves in them. The quality of paneer used in the mains was stiff. Pudina parantha didn’t have pudina. Garlic naan was the only thing we ordered which was really nice.

Conclusion:

When we opened the menu we thought we’ll come here again, but not after the experience we had.

When someone is spending $150/pp allow them the two hours they have booked for and don’t create unnecessary pressure spoiling the experience.

The food needs to be reviewed as the same food at a cheaper price is available 200m down the road.

Update after the response from the restaurant : I will not be returning to either of your restaurants. Your declining 4.1-star rating, along with your dismissive replies to negative reviews, speaks volumes about the management’s attitude. It’s clear that you’re not genuinely listening to feedback. As someone who knows authentic Indian cuisine, I can confidently say that the food doesn’t reflect the quality one would expect. Your approach won’t deceive those who understand the true taste of the dishes, you may have 24 years of experience running 3 different restaurants but, we all live in the era of very tough competition, your pompous replies and resistance to acknowledge the problem will make this place a one time trial location to...