Veranda Indian Kitchen & Bar - Rouse Hill — Restaurant in Sydney

Hopefully my review is taken in a positive way. I am writing this based on my experience as well as after carefully reading other reviews and their responses. We visited Veranda on a weekday night. Tried quite a few items from their Bar snacks and Small plates. Considering we are not big eaters, we had no issue in terms of their portion sizes but it may be to some others who eat more. Things we tried were: Nachni Papad, Chatpatta Corn, Kothimbir Vadi, Plain Mini Dosai, Bhatti Murgh. While the presentation was top notch, the flavor was not! We never felt a WOW factor in any of them unfortunately. Being from Marathi background, I have grown up eating Kothimbir vadi so was definitely looking forward to try it. Much to my disappointment, this particular one was more sort of a baked dough than an authentic one! Though the mint chutney it was paired with, was very good. Corn missed out on being “chatpatta”. Usually you have a mild fermented flavor in idlis and dosa which indicates the fresh preparation. However, this mini dosai felt more of the instant type ones! Bhatti murgh missed out on flavor too! The sauce perhaps helped a little to finish the plate. Nachni Papad was okay. While pairing it with thecha was still good, chundo didn’t go well with it nor the 3rd sauce! Sides: Lachcha Pyaaz - I guess my expectation of this was that it should have some spices and herbs making it taste lip smackingly good. Since there was no description of this menu item, I will let this slide by. Drinks: We tried Nuske and Kokam sherbet. Before I begin, I must also say, there is no room for customization in their menu as you choose food by scanning QR code and pay it online. Considering cold weather, I didn’t wanted the drinks with Ice especially for my kids. Hence, I decided to take the plunge to see if I can request to take ice off kids drink - Nuske. The guy serving initially told me that the drink gets served only in certain volume and if the ice is taken off then they will have to add water to make up the volume. Confused by that comment, I asked him to check. The bartender / owner walked me to the table to explain how important the ice was in the drinks and that without ice the drink will taste awful and she herself will feel bad for charging me for an awful drink. It seems the ice plays a pivotal role in slowly releasing flavours into the drink and if the ice is out then it will only taste like a syrup…. So finally after hearing all the goodness about how important ice was, I just gave in and ordered the drinks as is, i.e. with ice. Honestly, I felt drinks were a complete rip off! Check our pics!!! No wonder ice was the HERO of the drinks. Without it, you probably have a couple of sips only! Also, Kokam Sherbet was no where closer to tasting like it. I couldn’t finish it either. I guess being Maharashtrian, my expectations were a little too high with these Marathi menu items but they clearly were very far off from true authentic flavor! Mains: We tried Butter chicken and Malvani fish curry. While butter chicken was for kids, the portion size was not an issue between 2 kids but again flavor was just like any other Butter chicken. For a price of $30, it would be fair to expect a bit more than just the presentation! Malvani fish curry was okay. Didn’t really hit a mark to crave for more! Overall, I felt the food was presented well but lacked the Wow factor and hence the price vs the flavor is certainly a thing to be considered.

I also agree with another reviewer on washroom/ wash basin missing onsite! Indian food can certainly leave your fingers messy and paper napkins were just not enough. Also, lack of customization for Ala carte menu might make one feel very restrictive considering they do not even have too many things to choose from in their menu. If it was a set menu, it was understandable that it cannot be customized. Lack of these two things unfortunately would not make this place kid friendly! My overall two stars were purely for a good...

It was an extraordinary experience that transported my taste buds straight to the heart of India. The array of dishes offered a perfect blend of traditional flavors and innovative twists, making it a memorable culinary journey.

Starting with the classics, the Roti and Malabar Parantha were delightful. The Roti was perfectly cooked, soft yet slightly crisp on the edges, making it an ideal companion for the rich and creamy Butter Chicken. The Butter Chicken itself was a revelation - tender pieces of chicken swimming in a luscious, buttery tomato sauce with just the right hint of spices. It was the epitome of comfort food, executed with finesse.

The Malabar Parantha, with its flaky layers and subtle buttery flavor, paired exceptionally well with the Bhatti Murgh Tikka. The Bhatti Murgh Tikka was a standout, with its smoky flavor and succulent texture. Each bite was a burst of spices, expertly balanced to enhance the natural flavors of the chicken.

For something a bit more unconventional, the Pulled Lamb Open Rolls were a treat. The rolls were soft and fresh, filled generously with tender, spiced lamb that melted in the mouth. It was a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, with the lamb being the star of the show.

The Tandoori Broccoli & Paneer was another highlight. The broccoli, perfectly charred and seasoned, paired beautifully with the paneer, which was soft and flavorful. The spices used elevated the dish, making it a delightful appetizer.

For dessert, the VEGAN COCONUT & JAGGERY PANNA COTTA was a refreshing end to the meal. The panna cotta was creamy and smooth, with the coconut and jaggery adding a delightful sweetness that wasn't overpowering. It was a perfect balance of flavors, and a wonderful way to cleanse the palate after the rich main courses.

However, the dish that truly stole the show was the Cheese Chilli Coriander Kulcha. This kulcha was an explosion of flavors. The soft, fluffy bread was generously stuffed with a mixture of cheese, fresh coriander, and just the right amount of chilli to give it a subtle kick. Each bite was a delightful blend of creamy, tangy, and spicy flavors, making it the best dish of the night. It was so good that I found myself reaching for it again and again, even after the meal was over.

One of the highlights of the restaurant is the portion sizes. They are generous and ensure that you leave feeling completely satisfied. But don’t worry, the experience will make you enjoy every bite and leave you wanting to come back for more.

In conclusion, this Indian restaurant offers a delightful dining experience that is a perfect blend of traditional Indian flavors and modern culinary techniques. Every dish we tried was exceptional, with the Cheese Chilli Coriander Kulcha being the standout favorite. If you are looking for a place to indulge in authentic Indian cuisine with a twist, this restaurant should be at the top of your list.

You would be blown away with the...

Came across this restaurant while exploring Rouse Hill Town Centre. We were browsing the menu from the entrance and was greeted by Tavishi, who explained what their difference was compared to other Indian restaurants. With great pride, she highlighted how they focused on home style and all made in-house spices mix for their food. Similarly, they featured street food dishes from different regions of India. It attracted our attention enough to try out as we couldn't decide at that time where to go for dinner.

Highlights for us: The service by Tavishi and her team was commendable and very welcoming. A thoroughly positive experience from the start till we left the restaurant. Love the ability to order by QR code or through Tavishi's team. The restaurant was kept very clean, neat and good options of indoor or outdoor dining The food was definitely the next star of the restaurant. Every dish was meticulously flavoured. Each complemented the other without any overpowering flavours. Love how both chicken dishes carried so well as individual dishes that were well supported by stellar sauces.

There were a couple of drawbacks for us: Limited meat only options. Tavishi highlighted that the majority of their customers were vegetarians and vegans, and hence why their menu was geared more towards less meat options. Nevertheless, she highlighted that they were bringing in some new menu items soon. Portion size was pretty small. As there were not many meat options or other non-carb options, we were quite limited on what we could order. The larger portion size options in their menu did not have meat options, too. Would be interesting to see if Veranda would consider larger portion sizes as an option.

All in all, it was a really good dining experience that i hope to pop...