Punjab Grill @ Lulu Mall
Ambiance and Decor: Punjab Grill at Lulu Mall Kochi impresses with its world-class ambiance and decor. The attention to design creates an inviting atmosphere that sets high expectations for the dining experience.
Service: Unfortunately, the service did not match the restaurant's aesthetic appeal. The server took my order within 90 seconds of providing the menu without offering any recommendations or suggestions. This lack of engagement felt rushed and impersonal, especially in an otherwise empty restaurant with only two other occupied tables.
Additionally, it was disappointing to see the unremoved extra cover set from the previous diners. This lack of attention to detail continued throughout the meal, as I noticed the server clearing my soup bowl without a tray, simply picking up the bowl with fingers on the rim.
Food Quality: I ordered the Lamb Raan, Chicken Tikka, and Multigrain Buttered Roti. The Lamb Raan was presented in a metal soup bowl, which seemed authentic but lacked finesse. The dish was served without an underliner or garnish but with a spoon already put inside the bowl, resembling a basic pressure cooker mutton gravy rather than a refined one. This was particularly surprising given the price point.
The Chicken Tikka i thought had potential; the seasoning was almost there, but I was wrong. The meat was chewy and not tender. The garnish of dehydrated orange fruit slices and microgreens felt more like a confused attempt at modern presentation than a cohesive dish. (Probably had too many of them laying unused at the bar counter as I have seen these mostly used for beverages)
Accompaniments: The onion slices served with the meal were thick and uneven, which seemed out of place in such a high-end setting. These small details can significantly impact the overall dining experience.
Overall Experience: Throughout the meal, there was a noticeable absence of follow-up from the staff regarding the quality of the food or my overall experience. Despite the presence of a manager and an ex-chef, they appeared more engaged in their conversation than in ensuring guests were satisfied.
Worst part was that when the check arrived, it had greasy fingerprints on it, which was not acceptable at all.
Conclusion: While Punjab Grill boasts a beautifully designed space, the food quality and service fell short of expectations. It's crucial for a restaurant of this caliber to align its service and culinary offerings with its impressive decor. A little more attention to detail and genuine engagement with diners could transform the experience from lackluster to truly memorable.
Constructive Feedback: 1.Staff Training: Enhance service training to encourage staff to engage with diners, offer recommendations, and check in on their experience. Presentation Improvements: Focus on the presentation of dishes to match the quality of the ingredients and the restaurant's ambiance. Attention to Detail: Ensure that table settings, food presentation, and cleanliness are consistently maintained.
Overall, with some adjustments, Punjab Grill has the potential to elevate its dining experience to match its stunning...
Read morePunjab grill is THE BEST NORTH INDIAN RESTAURANT. Period.
Lemme tell ya why. For some time now. Ive been visiting and ordering food from Punjab grill. And I'm must say it's the few places in Kochi that makes you forget everything else, the moment the food enters ur mouth. A place that calls to my olfactory and gustatory senses in its dreams.
Situated on the 3rd floor of Lulu in one silent corner, u have this gem of kochi.
The food. Every single teeny tiny place has North Indian food these days. So much, that it's almost exhausting to see the same menu everywhere. But unlike anywhere else Punjab Grill stands out exceptionally well.
The food range is amazing...be it the starters, koftas, kebabs, naans, rotis, desserts, or the main course veg/non-veg curries and items.... It sounds the same. But the taste is soo soo different. The food tastes exorbitantly n insanely RICH. It's either makhani or in the pure Tomato rich gravy... It's lip-smacking, finger-licking good. Ive personally had the paneer lababdar, paneer makhani, chicken grill, bhatti da murg , butter n garlic naans, nd so on and it's all been insanely good. The taste hits u different in the buds.
The size of pieces and quantity of items are also the best here with proportionate number of pieces too. Combine that with the exceptional taste and u have a food heaven on your table.
Be sure to try out the meetha patta mocktail. Drink slowly, let the flavour sink. Thank me later.
Ambience. In Lulu mall, there r only a few places that doesnt choke you with people. This is one. Peaceful, light music in the BG, well lit and well arranged tables and dining areas. Has a private space for party of 10 too. The seating and tables are also very comfortable. The tables are well set and clean.
Overall it's a very peaceful Nd pleasant experience to be in there.
The Service. The staff are very helpful, understanding and polite. They always treat you well and serve well. They will always have my admiration. My heartfelt compliments to the chef and staff for a wonderful job they do.
The Pricing. Well, this is a topic of contention for most people i guess. Off the bat, the prices r high. Yes they r high. But let's consider this. For the the quantity of food, the quality of food, the excellent service that they provide, the comfortable space and ambience and mostly the peacefulness and satisfaction of good food, I think the prices r justified here.
Overall The Best of Best place in Kochi for North Indian food. The best dining experience on this...
Read moreI recently dined at Punjai Grill, a North Indian restaurant, and my experience was mixed. While the ambiance and service were commendable, the food quality and pricing left much to be desired.
Food Quality and Pricing I ordered half butter chicken priced at ₹475, which seemed excessive for what was served. The dish contained only two tiny pieces of chicken, a portion size that was quite disappointing. Additionally, the butter naan was hard and lacked the soft, fluffy texture one would expect from a freshly made naan. Lassi and gulam jamun were good but too pricey .Overall, the dishes did not have the authentic Punjabi taste I was hoping for.
Ambiance and Service The ambiance of the restaurant was pleasant, and the service provided by the staff was good. The waitstaff were attentive and polite, contributing positively to the dining experience.
Service Charge Issue One major downside was the imposition of a 10% service charge. When I questioned this charge, the staff insisted it was mandatory. Later, I consulted with a friend who is an advocate and learned that service charges should not be collected from consumers under any other name, and they should be optional and voluntary . This was frustrating and felt like an unfair practice.
Conclusion Overall, my visit to Punjai Grill was disappointing mainly due to the subpar food quality and the unexpected service charge. While the ambiance and service were good, the experience was marred by the lack of value for money and the uninviting food. Future patrons should be aware of the service charge issue and may want to clarify this point before...
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