I decided to dine-in at Manzil Restaurant (Kismet Winery near Oliver, British Columbia) today.
Having been a Regular at the Masala Bistro which it was, before the rebranding to Manzil, every meal and meal service was superb!
My meal today was just a small notch above mediocre. I ordered the Pork Vindaloo, Dal Makhani, and a Poppadom basket.
Appears that other Reviewers have experienced similarly.
I was unsure whether the meal(s) were pre-cooked, and perhaps only warmed and served, upon being Ordered?
Because my Meal was served rather quickly after being ordered and there did not seem to be much food prep. activity noticeable in the Kitchen.
Also interestingly, there was No Beer (Disappointingly, Ginger Beer was an option suggested to me!!!) listing in the Manzil Menu!
As a curry traditionalist, I just don't find that Wine pairs as well with a spicy Indian/South Asian Curry meal.
Surprisingly the Waiter rummaged in what looked like a portable Ice Chest and brought me 3 options. 2 were fruity beverages which were a no-go for me, and the 3rd was a Lager, which I ordered.
I was however impressed by the efforts of the Waiter in trying to improve my dining experience once he became aware of my disappointment.
Having recently read about the business philosophies and successes of the Dhaliwal Sisters, in a local B.C. magazine, I was looking forward to what I expected would be an equal or better dining experience, to what I had enjoyed at Masala Bistro. Regrettably that was not my experience!
In fact, I regretted wasting my time driving in from Osoyoos, when I could have dined at an Indian restaurant in Osoyoos, instead!
I found the ambiance at Masala Bistro was very different and warm and inviting to a dining experience, to that of the Manzil.
It seems to me that the business expansion focus has taken on a priority, and something(s) important to regular customers such as I have been lost along the way!
I was also surprised when after a $95 dinner expenditure, I was told that I would have to pack the Containers to 'doggy-bag'!!
I often met friends and recommended to friends, to dine in at Masala.
I do not intend to dine at Manzil in the future following this experience and will not be recommending it as a dining destination if authentic and un-"reimagined" Indian cuisine is a criteria.
The Manzil offerings advertised as "reimagines vibrant Indian cuisine", is possibly an accurate representation, as being 're-imagined', rather than intended to convey a traditional approach to serving up authentic Indian cuisine?
Updated in response to response from GM:
My review was not intended to be about a “feel a sense of nostalgia”.
However-may “reimagined” being defined (elevated interpretation of Indian cuisine) by the GM, my experience certainly did not suggest it was an “elevated” experience.
I may be singular in my preference for Indian cuisine that it be simply That, and not “elevated” with the primary purpose to be a ‘pairing’ to an “estate wine”.
It has been my general experience that a Wine is usually paired (to complement) with a meal, not, as noted by the Manzil GM that “Indian cuisine that intentionally pairs with our estate wines”.
As noted by the GM, I did share a complimentary review 2 months prior, however it was based on a Take-Out Order.
The GM notes that “We offer a curated list of six local craft beers on our bar menu …..”. I was not provided the benefit of the curated list.
The GM notes “For leftovers, we provide containers so guests can pack their own food. ….. maintain the highest level of hygiene, …..” I am confused.
The meals were handled and served in open containers between Kitchen and Table, similar to the “unfinished meals”. The GM appears to be conveying that for the meal preparation and service there is not a process in place to maintain the highest level of hygiene though the staff presumably handle the guests’ (unfinished) meals, but only for "unfinished meals"?
I am offended by the GM summarising “Not every guest will embrace change”, presumably a reference to the content...
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