Sufi's Restaurant — Restaurant in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation

If you're reading this, know that many influencer reviews are bought. And most of these google reviews too. I saw a few trending reels about the food scene in the city. Everyone raved about this place. Thursdays is when one can expect low footfall and therefore, better service. So I thought about giving it a try.

But on reaching there, I found that there's a birthday party roaring. Half of the restaurant was booked. Children roamed around making obnoxious hullabaloo. On the other half there were couples going inside a private booth to smoke noxious hookah. Loud music that would tear you from limb to limb, with no soundtrack logic or sound modulation. Everything was blasting and everything was full to the brim.

We got a table which was away from all ACs, so in a small stuffy room it was suffocating, while 50 odd people were celebrating a birthday by roaming around, screaming and dancing. We were seated and so we thought it would be rude to go elsewhere. But I won't lie, the thought crossed our minds and our lips also.

Off to a bad start, I thought. But I have often been guilty of judging the book by its cover. So we decided to order anyway but order safe.

We started with dimsums which were actually siumai, and baos, which were spelled as bows, drums of heaven, and chilly paneer. The baos came cold. Not in a bamboo basket. The buns were not fluffy, a bit undercooked. The stuffing was promising. Just sauteed chicken in Chinese condiments, but okay I guess. The dimsums were bland and drums of heaven were dry. Chilly paneer was okay but nothing to write home about and for about 250 bucks, it was not pretty filling either.

Unsatisfied, we called for the waiter and asked for the best and hottest selling starter. The guy suggested Sufis Special kebab. A very similar dish to bharwa kebab or cheese stuffed tikkas. The chicken was hard and rubbery. An out of tune live music band also played for a bit. No prior soundcheck was done. The songs were horrible too. Two pritam da copies and kesariya. The kids responded by bursting balloons intermittently to disturb. Usually restaurants mandate silence in respect of performing bands. But I think no self respecting band would perform at Sufis. And no respectable restaurant will hold a kid's birthday party and a soulful romantic live music session simultaneously.

Disappointed, we moved to mains, and let's be honest, our expectations were now very low. Hakka noodles, garlic fried rice and kung pao chicken. Basic Chinese fare. Very hard to screw up. But somehow they screwed up even more. Things moms make. Things 2 YT videos can teach you. The noodles were parboiled. The fried rice was the blandest ever. No dried red chillies in kungpao. Chicken was chewy. The bill of 3200 was even harder to chew. A service charge was also included when there wasn't even basic service like AC. Not to mention the current went for 10 mins while we struggled with the noodles.

For the visitor. Don't go for the hype. Influencers are not journalists. For the restaurant. Either be a hookah bar, a cafe, a dinner place or a kalyan mandap. Don't try to be all in one. You may buy some influencers, but customer loyalty is not as cheap as social media likes...

Location:Sufi is conveniently located near KIIT College and close to a petrol pump, right opposite Vmart. Its location makes it a go-to spot in a busy area, perfect for those around the college or anyone passing through.

Ambience:The restaurant offers a calm and inviting environment, ideal for those looking to enjoy a meal in a peaceful setting. The elegant decor adds to the overall pleasant dining experience.

Taste:At Sufi, the food stands out for its mix of traditional dishes and creative twists. Favorites include the Cream of Spinach soup, Veg Bao, Honey Chilli Paneer, and Malai Tangdi Kabab. The Chelo Kebab platter deserves special mention for its taste and the way it's prepared, offering a unique and enjoyable meal.

Price:While the prices are on the higher side, they match the quality of the food and the dining experience provided. From staples like Butter Naan and Kulcha to specialities like the Malai Tangdi Kabab and Chelo Kebab platter, the cost reflects the value of what you get, making it worth the expense.

Conclusion: Sufi's prime location near KIIT College, combined with its inviting atmosphere and excellent food, makes it a worthwhile dining destination. Although the prices are higher, the quality of the meal justifies the cost. Whether looking for a casual meal or a special dining experience, Sufi offers dishes that are sure to satisfy, making every visit memorable.

THE REVIEW IS BASED ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCE....

After going through so many good reviews we thought of trying this place. I don’t know whether on that particular day and time we had the misfortune of having one of the worst chicken from them or else the people are just like sheep since some people have given good review it must be good, so they gaslight themselves to rate the food as good even though it was not that good.

To cut to the chase, we had ordered 3 food items: Cajun spiced chicken strips Drums of heaven Parma Rosa pasta (chicken)

So, Cajun spiced chicken strips were quite dry and oily from outside, which could be due to stale chicken and low quality oil.

And then comes Drums of heaven, which showed us the door to hell before and after sleep 😂, the sauce was good however the chicken was even worse than the first dish. We got our stomach upset after having these.

Finally comes our last dish which we ordered to lessen our disappointment, PARMA ROSA PASTA, to be honest the sauce was good and the pasta was properly cooked, however again the same issue comes with chicken (dry and not fresh). So thousand rupees wasted...