Pandhal Cafè & Deli — Restaurant in Kerala

My friend follows this new routine of having coffee and salad before he hits the gym; and it was yet another day of this routine and he decided to visit Pandhal Cafe at Edapally. I joined him. He had already placed his order - coffee and quinoa salad with pork sausage as an add on. I haven’t really bothered reviewing food places in Kochi but knowing how this restaurant has been recommended over n over again; and how people choose to visit it even after experiencing mediocrity is beyond me. The salad was a plate of mush if I have to give you an accurate description. The salad leaves were soft n soggy and the dressing was on the sour side. Being a chef it becomes difficult to enjoy food at restaurants as you tend to back track the whys of a dish failing if the opportunity arises. The reason why I’m writing this review is we were the only table at that restaurant around 6:30-7pm - there was no excuse for the team to send out a badly made salad at the beginning of service. The kitchen is not following basic thumb rule of prepping the salad leaves before service - you dunk them in ice water, shock it to make it firm and crunchy If the guest has raised a concern about the salad, giving professional feedback about how it’s not good - leaving half of the salad uneaten; it is basic courtesy to offer replacement- they could’ve easily made another plate, the restaurant was empty! It is not a rant about paying 520 bucks for that salad, nor do I have anything against the brand. What I have a problem is that way too many restaurants are glorified unnecessarily for the name or legacy or nostalgia especially in Kochi but seldom does anyone really talk when the food has stopped being good. I have visited Pandhal thrice but honestly I haven’t had a meal without complaints. I do enjoy their coffee, pastries and always order their bread online. This was just too disappointing and wrong on many levels from a restaurant/kitchen/operations perspective. Have added the pics of what was left after the...

Quite a hideaway kind of cafe. Food was spectacular with very good quality ingredients used. There are different types of dishes that require multiple visits to try [I feel confident that it would be worth it]. Not sure if it was built intentionally like that but I really like the fact that the cafe is Wheelchair Accessible. The loo is clean and nice. Parking is available. Interior decor is quite chic. [Instagram worthy shots can be taken] Service staff are welcoming and really attentive. Languages spoken are english, malayalam and hindi and maybe more. Special mention to Ashwathy who made sure everything checked out well. Another special mention to another staff whose name I did not get, but assuming he was the Manager or Head Chef, he too made sure everything was good and enjoyable. Regarding the prices, No complaints there, as I can understand..great quality food, service, atmosphere calls for a heavier budget. Just a few notes from my side..After sitting there for more than 1.5 hours, I wished the cafe was built on a higher floor as then there would be a view from those windows and during daytime a lot of natural light would come in. (Half the time, whenever I was taking a bite, there were random people walking by outside looking at me with my wide open mouth or just dropping stuff from my mouth 😂). Secondly, about the menu, just a humble thought, would be great to add mini portions of everything or whatever is possible (like atleast the bestsellers) for a lower price. That could attract more business in the end as well. Just my humble thought, I know the higher floor thing is not what the owners had in mind nor is the menu with mini portions. It's their choice as they know what's best for them. Regardless, I will be definitely...

I came here with a group and was excited to see they clearly labeled gluten containing foods on the menu as I’m celiac.

I ordered the grilled chicken salad without question because it was labeled without gluten, but when the food came the server confirmed that the chicken had been battered in wheat flour and fried. I avoid fried food as well because the oil will infuse gluten from other sources into an otherwise gluten free food.

I stressed the second time that I couldn’t have any wheat so please remake the salad without flour and grill the chicken instead of frying it. By the time the second salad came I was the only one who hadn’t eaten. The chicken arrived without flour, but again it had been deep fried. In addition the second salad came with pita bread croutons all over it. The server confirmed that this was also wheat. I was so hungry at this point as it had been almost an hour and everyone was waiting for me to eat that I removed the chicken and croutons and ate the small bit left that was free of gluten.

I understand accidents happen but this seemed to be belligerent. Why put gluten labels on the menu if those who need them cannot rely on them?? I also had to pay for both salads, which were 700 rupees each, when I could only eat half of one after the rest of my party had already eaten.

One star for the trouble and for not having the decency to comp the salads that were brought that I...