5-star? Nah. Read this before you go dining here.
Utter chaos: On my visit for a Sunday brunch, they were simply oversubscribed with patrons. They had three pre-booked groups of 30+, 20+, and 10+. Given such footfalls, they were sorely lacking in the number of people available to cater to such a large gathering. When you have pre-booked large crowd, the ideal thing to do would be to only cater to them (and in-house guests) and not take bookings for small separate groups. I am not averse to crowds; in fact, it is good to have plenty of people around, but it affects the other aspects of the visitor experience if not well-managed.
Food: I was stunned by simply how mediocre the food tasted. Even though we were early, the pre-cooked food was cold, bland, and tasteless. We tried all the pre-cooked counters, including, salads, Mediterranean, Korean, Greek, north-Indian, seafood, and barbecue. The problem was too much variety and too low quality.
Live-counters: You tell the table number at the live counter, and they will prepare and bring you the food you have ordered. In addition, you can also tell the table server if you have been waiting for your live-counter food. The chefs at the live counter were least interested in making the food to your order. None of the dishes arrived as per order. Also, only after we reminded our server (when we could get hold of him) that we were waiting for food from the live counters---that too a couple of times---did he manage to bring in the food items from the live counters; none of them made to order. Wrong items were also brought to us. I mean seriously why make such a complicated system? Either you tell the table number at the live counter and they bring you the food to order or you tell what you want to the server, and he brings it---simple. Last, even the live-counter food was Meh.
Atmosphere: First the architecture and the resto ambiance is simply fab. One of the best lobbies I have seen in a 5-star hotel in Pune. Too bad that the good aesthetics did not make up for other severely lacking aspects of our experience.
Service: Our service guy did check on us "as and when possible". However, the service staff was simply overrun with the tables and guests. Felt sorry for our guy who was simultaneously servicing numerous tables; he tried to do his best. Even if they had to double the service staff, I don't think they could still manage to service well on the "eventful" day. The manager did make his routine one-time visit during our meal to check on us and suggested that for a calmer, relaxed experience their poolside Kabana outlet on the second floor is a better option--- a fait accompli. Ok, I will visit it some day, but then why are you guys open?
Cost: Completely unjustifiable given the mediocre food and bad experience. I don't mind shelling few more K's but "quality" and "service" has to be pristine. Interestingly, they have three packages: food + soft, food + wine, and food + alcohol (beer + whiskey). However, they don't offer only food buffet. Thanks to Zom. Gold, I at least saved a few bucks.
Another visit is out of question: When we were seated, we had one of the pre-booked person and the staff discussing---in-our-face about our seated table. Only after we looked at them that they moved elsewhere. I mean seriously what the fish?
Suggestions: Reduce the number of dishes offered but make them "quality", ensure that quality, hot food is being served in a reasonable time, only take the number of booking that you can manage, change the live-counter system, and realize that unlike a fish market, you are running a...
Read moreConrad hilton:Luxury Defined Ambience: Family style restaurant is very similar to casual dining with a difference.Benefits of the family restaurant include a relaxed atmosphere where customers have more fun and entertainment.It caters well to families with children or groups of friends.Fine Dining or High End. It has a special design, unique decoration, high-quality furniture. Reservation required Chefs:Under the helm of executive chef sidney,his second in command chef de cuisine,they both take the team forward with wonderful ideas to incorporate in brunches.With chef sidney,there never is a dull moment.Chef grish is the best-ever.Love u both! Staff:Under the a.r.m aatish the staff works intune,who are also happily lip-syncing,each song being sung by the live-band.How cool is tht!Servers subhash,mayur took care from clearing plates,to getting in the orders with a smile throughout. If ur in the city and want to go berserk with food on ur wish-list,look no further,food in all its splendour,awaits to take u on a pulsating ride of ur life C'me along and join me on this culinary delight Foods tht we tasted Nachos:They use doritos.Crisp, Chips.Re-fried beans,and crunchy bellpeppers.In that order,Salsa,sour cream,melted cheddar cheese and guacamole on the side. Nachos dorritos taste like heaven! Vegtempuramaki(onrequest): TEMPURA is a gorgeous Japanese dish for a special treat.Golden Crunch! Bhel: This was wet bhel puri where chutneys were added along with onions, tomatoes and boiled potatoes.Delicious! Paanipuri: This was filled with spicy potatoes and topped with tangy, spicy tamarind water made fragrant by mint leaves and black salt.Love it! Dahi-puri: Dahi Puri is my all time favorite Chaat. It is sweet, sour, tangy, spicy and crispy chaat with so many flavors.Bang-on! Pavbhaji: This delicious street snack and so vibrant, spicy, buttery dish their pav bhaji was amazing Rajma tikki: This was mouth-watering tikkis like red kidney beans (rajma), potato, all purpose flour, breadcrumbs, onion and spices that was absolute crunchy. Palak tikki: I loved palak tikki more so for its simplicity than the fact that tikkis in general are so delicious. Paneer tikka: This was in fiery red marinade,marinated with yogurt and spices and then grilled until perfection Pizza margarita: This margherita pizza had a thin and crispy crust and was topped only with tomato sauce, mozzarella.It's a simple, yet flavorful vegetarian pizza! Roti-jhala: A lace pancake literally meaning Net Bread.Roti, which in Malay simply means bread served with some sort of curry or sauce to dip in kari ayam is extremely delicious. Grills corn and paneer slab: Paneer slab is made from crushed chillies, citrus peel, onion, pepper, garlic, salt, lemon juice, bay leaves, paprika, pimiento, basil, oregano, and tarragon. Full-bodied! Desserts:The selection is mind-boggling.Just work ur way through it and u know wht heaven looks like.The only way to describe dessert is sinful Keep room for them The indian food looked a visual-delight. We were so stuffed,tht didn't mind just booking and...
Read moreCoriander Kitchen, nestled in the heart of Pune, offers a delightful culinary experience that stands out in the city's vibrant dining scene. Located within the luxurious JW Marriott Hotel, the restaurant provides an elegant ambiance perfect for both casual dining and special occasions.
Ambiance: The ambiance at Coriander Kitchen is sophisticated yet inviting. The decor combines modern aesthetics with warm tones, creating a comfortable atmosphere. The spacious seating and tasteful lighting add to the overall charm, making it a great place to unwind and enjoy a meal.
Service: The service at Coriander Kitchen is impeccable. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted with warm smiles and attentive staff. The waitstaff is knowledgeable about the menu and eager to offer recommendations, ensuring that your dining experience is smooth and enjoyable.
Food: The menu at Coriander Kitchen is diverse, offering a fusion of Indian and international cuisines. The buffet spread is particularly impressive, featuring a wide array of dishes from fresh salads and appetizers to hearty main courses and decadent desserts. Each dish is prepared with high-quality ingredients and presented beautifully.
Highlights include: Starters: The variety of appetizers, including the flavorful kebabs and fresh sushi, set the tone for a fantastic meal. Main Course: The Indian dishes, particularly the butter chicken and biryanis, are rich in flavor and perfectly spiced. The international options, such as the pasta and grilled seafood, are equally impressive. Desserts: The dessert section is a paradise for sweet lovers, with an array of pastries, traditional Indian sweets, and live counters for ice creams and waffles.
Value: While dining at Coriander Kitchen is a bit on the pricier side, the quality of food, service, and overall experience justifies the cost. The buffet, in particular, offers great value for money given the extensive variety and unlimited servings.
Overall: Coriander Kitchen is a top-notch dining destination in Pune that promises a memorable gastronomic journey. Whether you are looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion or simply want to enjoy a lavish meal, Coriander Kitchen is a fantastic choice. The blend of excellent service, diverse menu, and elegant ambiance makes it a must-visit for food...
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