Biryani N BarBQ — Restaurant in Toronto

The prices are steep for indian food, but WOW did the food slap. My friends and I came by on a saturday night around 7pm. When we arrived, we were greeted by smiles and a very friendly staff. The resto quickly filled up shortly after because it was prime dinner time.

The resto interior looks very modern and they have individual washrooms. The tables are clean and it's brightly lit. We ordered a bunch of dishes to try because the menu was huge and the food descriptions were so enticing.

Half tandoori chicken: Yo, for real tho. This is the best tandoori chicken I've ever had. It comes out on a sizzling plate. It's marinated w/ yogurt and house spices. The chicken breast was unbelievably succulent and they served it with raw onions and a mint sauce on the side. This tandoori is a MUST ORDER.

Ghost korma: The lamb was super tender and barely required any chew. It wasn't as flavourful as the meat in the deccan lamb karahi but the tenderness made up for it.

Deccan lamb karahi (half): This dish looks like a showstopper when it arrives. Comes out in a giant pot and the server told us to leave the lid on for a bit to let the dish steam. The lamb was PACKED with flavour. It was a spice explosion in my mouth. However, it wasn't as tender as the lamb in the ghost korma. Also, the lamb chunks were cut much larger in this dish than in the ghost korma.

Chilli garlic naan: Soft, moist, fluffy naan seasoned to the edges w/ garlic, butter and chilli (would probably recommend you just order plain naan or the garlic naan; couldn't really taste the chilli as it tasted like very heavy black pepper instead)

Shrimp biryani: The rice was moist and not dry at all. Didn't come with enough shrimps so it would've been nice to have a couple more running through it but we ordered a ton of protein so we were able to overlook it.

South indian fish curry: Probably the least liked dish out of the whole spread. The sauce was actually quite spicy in comparison to the other dishes we ordered which was fine. But the fish was not as delicate as we would've liked. It was quite overcooked. This dish you can skip on (unless you LOVE spicy).

Old city chicken curry: Very tasty. Nice generous amount of chicken which was satisfying. Hopefully that doesn't change and they don't cut corners anytime soon.

Bharvan mushrooms: Mushrooms stuffed with cheese and a bunch of other things. Came out on a sizzling plate just like the tandoori chicken. The mushrooms were cooked well and took on a meaty flavour.

Hyderabadi wings: Surprisingly good wings! Lots of meat and the sauce had a nice, enjoyable kick. Looked spicier than it actually was.

Mulligatawny: Lentil soup with lemony hints. Ok so this soup was good but idk if I'd order it again. The pricing was too steep for what it was in my opinion.

Mango lassi: Whenever I sit down to enjoy my indian food I gotta have my mango lassi. It's like a trusty, reliable fire extinguisher that also helps reset my palette.

Once you order, these complimentary breadstick looking things get brought to your table with a sweet, red chutney sauce. Some of them were stale but some of them were cooked just right. I think I would've just preferred fries LOL. The red sauce it was served with though. Damn, that stuff was crack.

I wanna give a shoutout to our server Sherlin! She's the best server by far at this joint. The most knowledgeable about the menu (we asked numerous waiters/waitresses questions and some weren't able to answer our questions) and the most helpful (came around often to ask what else we wanted). A 15% auto-gratuity was slapped onto our bill which we felt was deserved because she was our server. If we received one of the others as a server we would've been grouchy about that 15% auto charge lol.

I'm definitely coming back to try the other stuff on the menu. It's HUGE and we've only cracked a quarter of it. The food is a lil pricier than your typical indian food spot but you get big portions and the taste is...

Good food. Nice atmosphere.

This might be a new place, the interior is amazing and the vibe is nice. The menu has good coverage of south and north Indian dishes. I see some dishes here that are original and some that are only served at dedicated south Indian restaurants like Anjappars.

I tried the Mutton Shorba, though it wasn't too great. A bit tasteless but it did have good quality mutton cuts in it. It may have just been a bad chef's error resulting in lack of taste but it was presented well. Nonetheless, good on the restaurant for trying to add originality to the menu.

Mutton chuka was decent. Though pieces were somewhat large and chuka spicing was lacking. Mutton chuka must have oil dripping to the plate, oil carrying the spices during the frying process. The pieces must be small and soft. This chuka interpretation differs from the one most are looking for. Some of the larger mutton pieces were a bit tough, which is not how chuka should be. It was still satisfiying.

Lamb shank biriyani was excellent. This is an unusual dish but still true to the biriyani form. Presentation was superb and taste was good, I didn't need salt. Came with good quality raita.

The menu does have several other biriyani types like Dhum and ghee roast biriyani. The menu is quite expansive, it's similar to the menu at The Host. But while the Host focuses on north Indian items, this place has a mix of north and south. For example they serve kothus which are from the south, but they also serve kazhanas, which are north Indian. Kothus and khazanas are generally not served at most south and north Indian restaurants so this is very respectable. Quite a diverse menu.

I'd be interested in trying their other dishes. Whoever said prices are steep doesn't know prices. Prices here are quite typical.

Interior is 5 stars. Everything is new. Lighting is amazing. Good ambiance. Warm lighting. The ceiling is remarkably high. I sat in a sectioned off area with good shielding from the main area. The bar architecture is Instagram worthy and the designer and the restaurant deserve credit for this eye-catching creation.

Seating and cutlery were all brand new.

Staff was very friendly, prompt, attentive, and have a good understanding of the menu items. They also do not press for tips which is respectable given how notorious Tdot restaurants are in begging for tips. I respect...

Review of Biryani N BarBQ: A Fusion of North Indian and Hyderabadi Flavors

As a North Indian who has spent entire life eating north Indian food in lanes of Delhi and who has spent two decades among Hyderabadi friends in the Middle East, I was excited to explore a blend of both cuisines at this restaurant. Here's my take on each dish:

Crispy Shrimp (3/5): The shrimps were sizable, well-fried, and marinated in a spice blend that was rich and fiery. A decent choice for those who enjoy a bit of heat.

Dal Makhani (4/5): A North Indian classic, this dal makhani lived up to my expectations. Its thick, creamy texture, combined with a perfect mix of spices, made it a delightful treat.

Tala Huwa Gosht (2.5/5): While the flavor was satisfactory, it didn't quite match the Tala Huwa Gosht I've known for years. The thick masala used was a departure from the authentic version. It's worth trying for its taste, but don't expect traditional Hyderabadi authenticity.

Dum Biryani (3/5): The Dum Biryani offered a decent taste experience, featuring tender and soft mutton pieces that were cooked quite well. While it was enjoyable in its own right, it fell short of matching the authentic Dum Biryani that one might expect. It's a fair option for those looking to savor a hint of Dum Biryani in this part of world, but it's important to manage expectations and not anticipate the traditional authenticity of the dish.

Mutton Masala (2/5): This dish was underwhelming. The masala, similar yet more liquid in consistency than that in Tala Huwa Gosht, didn't impress much. It's an area that definitely needs improvement.

Seekh Kabab (1/5): Unfortunately, the biggest letdown. The odd taste and unusual cinnamon aroma didn't align with traditional North Indian or Pakistani recipes for Seekh Kabab. It's a recipe that requires significant revision.

Nuggets and Fries: These were a hit among the kids and added a pleasant, familiar touch to the meal.

Ambience: The restaurant boasts a welcoming atmosphere with ample space and tasteful decoration.

In conclusion, while some dishes were decent, and some can be ignored completely. I am not sure if I will visit this restaurant again but best wishes to the restaurant's management for their...