Al Gulzar Restaurant — Restaurant in Delhi

I visited Chandni Chowk for some work today. On my way back decided to have lunch at Gulzar, ditching the heavyweigths (Karims, Al Jawahar) because I had really enjoyed their signature Mutton Stew the last time I had it.

However, I was in for a Big disappointment. The mutton stew was a disaster. The gravy was too salty compared to the subtle level of saltiness that you expect in Delhi 6 Mughlai dishes. Even the green chutney seemed more like a brine solution. What's worse, two preboiled and partially uncooked mutton pieces were added into the gravy to somehow produce the finished product. Clearly, the mutton pieces didn't belong to the gravy. The juices simply didn't percolate inside the mutton.

The khamiri rotis were 2/3 the size and weight compared to what I was served during my previous visit a couple of months ago.

And here's the worst part. As if bad food wasn't enough whammy, I had to deal with this absolutely insolent and offensive senior waiter/floor manager on the first floor. A slightly-built, bespectacled man in his middle ages with an acerbic tongue. One would typically expect a man of his age to be mature, mellow, and sober. On the contrary, he was offensive, intrusive, and had a bloated ego. He was almost herding the guests to seats as per the seating plan he had in his mind, irrespective of whether the table had adequate draft of cool air from AC/fans etc. As soon as I climbed the first floor, he rudely herded me to occupy a table of his choosing. I pointed to him that the table isn't close enough/in line with any wall fan to which he rebuked me for not spotting the AC vent and non having the patience to let the AC take effect. The fact is, the AC didn't even feel like 28 degrees C even after 30 min. Also, the table he was forcing me to occupy wasn't cleaned properly. I pointed out this fact to him. He responded by flimsily removing the leftover food from the table. However, he didn't allow me to occupy the adjacent table, which he had reserved in his mind for the next guest whom he anticipated would order more than me.

When my order was served, and I was barely into my meal, he was over my head inquiring whether I would order an extra roti.

His intrusive behavior wasn't directed at only me. He was equally rude and offensive to other guests. If he had his way, he would have had guest gulp down the entire meal in one go, extract the payment from them, and send them packing off with a kick on the backside. ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE. He gets his salary from the money we diners pay to the restaurant.

Al Gulzar -- Al Vida to you. I will never step into your shi##y restaurant again. And recommend it likewise to all my friends and acquaintances.

Just a piece of parting advice. If you dream to be a ShahenShaah, first learn to behave...

I have heard so much about the food and eateries at Old Delhi that I was tempted to take a walk down here to try the local food that includes kebabs, shwarma, kulcha, etc. One of the autorickshaw drivers told me about this restaurant that serves authentic mughlai cuisine. The interiors were beautiful with mirrors and a partition seating area. We chose to sit upstairs. The staff are so warm and wonderful. The manager suggested I take the sizzler platter with rumali roti. The kebabs had sheek, tangdi and malai kebabs. The taste of the sheek kabab was good. The rest tasted a little bland. Then we decided to try mutton biryani which was quite disastrous. It was oily, colorful and the rice they used was quite long compared to other places where I have eaten biryani. Though they gave us good mutton bones in the biryani, it tasted bland and smelt of Shahi jeera. There were lots of green chillies which didn't kick into the harmony of flavours.

The manager suggested we take badam kheer. It was chilled and served in a clay pot, garnished heavily with grated badam. It was again tasteless and odorless. This mousse is a speciality in this location hence we decided to try it but we're disappointed. The sweet and salt lime soda was tasty. They added chaat masala in it, making it more flavour. On the whole it was an ok dining experience. One star extra for the staff, though they don't serve food once put at the table, they try to create a bond rather than...

Al Gulzar Restaurant - A Mughlai Culinary Gem in Old DelhiNestled in the heart of Old Delhi, Al Gulzar Restaurant is a haven for lovers of Mughlai and Indian cuisine, offering a culinary journey that transports you back to the era of the Mughals. With its rich flavors and traditional cooking methods, Al Gulzar has earned a well-deserved reputation, particularly for its lollipop and mutton nihari, hailed as the best in the area.From the moment you step into Al Gulzar, you're greeted by the warm, inviting ambiance reminiscent of the royal Mughal courts. The decor strikes a fine balance between traditional and comfortable, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.The menu is a splendid showcase of Mughlai culinary excellence, but the true stars are undoubtedly the lollipop and mutton nihari. The lollipop, a succulent, spicy, and crispy delight, is perfectly marinated and fried to golden perfection, leaving you craving for more with every bite. It’s an appetizer that perfectly sets the stage for what’s to come.The mutton nihari, a dish steeped in history and flavor, is a revelation. Slow-cooked to perfection, the meat is tender, falling off the bone, and imbued with spices that are bold yet not overwhelming, allowing the natural flavors of the meat to shine through. Paired with freshly baked naan or tandoori roti, it offers a comforting, deeply satisfying meal that resonates with the soul...