We went to this restaurant because the reviews were good (atleast compared to the other Indian restaurants In the vicinity). Because of the great reviews, I thought it might be crowded and reserved a table on fork. Our reservation was at 20:00. Our first impression of the place was that it was a bit too dark and confined. The theme is a little outdated. Instead of wallpapers, they have hung ornate traditional Indian patterned clothing on all walls instead of wallpaper. I personally feel this makes the whole place a little too stuffy and avoids any light refractions and feeling of lightness in the room. There is no possibility of any light to enter the the restaurant as well. I also felt there were a bit too many tables in the dining area and way too less space to move around. The restaurant was not crowded at all and I am sure they could have removed atleast 4 tables and the 16 big chairs they come with. This would have improved the stuffiness situation as well. There was 1 waiter and 1 person taking the orders( the owner himself). The customer treatment is sub-par. They don’t offer or ask if you want water at the beginning and don’t clear out plates and glasses that are not needed for the table. The table next to us was left uncleaned after a previous customer for atleast 30 mins after we got seated. Overall cleanliness was poor. There was dust on the walls and corners of the floor. The wall-clothes were not smelly but I’m sure it was not washed for a long time. The waiters clothes were torn and stained. There was no professionalism in his manners as well. It was clear he was either somebody new abroad (from India) or someone who just lacked manners regarding reaching out, rearranging and understanding the guest’s personal space. There were cupboards visible in the dining area with personal belongings and kids’ toys. There were empty coke bottles, clothes and other garbage as well. The kitchen was visible from the dining area covered by a stained curtain that refused to close completely. I deliberately avoided looking inside to avoid seeing anything that might have killed my appetite(we were extremely hungry). The bathrooms were unhygienic as well, old hardware and unclean and wet all around. All along I was expecting the food to blow our minds considering all these other flaws the restaurant had. I would say the food was just ok. Nothing exceptional than what just another decently rated Indian restaurant would serve. It was a little too spicy but we were not asked anything about our desired spice levels. During payment, the owner started talking about how this restaurant was established 25 years ago by his father and how he has been running it. And how off late, about 8 other Indian restaurants opened in the area and how they are taking away his business and that’s why it’s not crowded anymore. He also urged me to give a 5star review. I’m starting to think this is how this restaurant has such good reviews.
Overall, I feel bad for the owner to have such a heritage and once successful restaurant die away in today’s modern competition, but I blame him for not updating the restaurant and menu to today’s age. My personal recommendation would be to have an overhaul and think modern, airy, bright, clean, spacious. Maybe then I would give a 4star and if the food is exceptionally good, a 5star. For now, this is the...
Read moreDeep in the heart of Rome, there was a bustling street called Via Principe Amedeo. It was always filled with tourists and locals, who were drawn to the vibrant energy and delicious aroma of the restaurants that lined the street. Among these restaurants was the Indo-Pakistan Restaurant, owned by a man named Raj.
Raj was a Kashmiri man who had moved to Italy many years ago. He missed his homeland of Himalaya Kashmir dearly, but he had found solace in the bustling streets of Rome. He had always dreamed of opening a restaurant that would bring the flavors of his home to the people of Italy. And that's exactly what he did.
The Indo-Pakistan Restaurant was a small, cozy place with bright red walls and golden decorations. The scent of spices filled the air, tempting passersby to come in and try the food. Raj was a skilled cook, and he made sure that every dish was made with the freshest ingredients and the perfect blend of spices.
The restaurant quickly became a hit among the locals, who loved the exotic flavors and warm hospitality of Raj and his staff. But the real magic of the Indo-Pakistan Restaurant was its ability to transport people to the beautiful land of Himalaya Kashmir through its food.
One day, a young couple from Kashmir walked into the restaurant. They had been living in Rome for a few years and were homesick for the flavors of their homeland. As soon as they tasted the food, they were transported back to the mountains of Kashmir. They were so impressed with the authenticity of the food that they struck up a conversation with Raj.
The couple, named Adil and Zara, were both chefs who had worked in several restaurants in Kashmir. They were amazed by Raj's passion for his food and the way he had recreated the flavors of their home in a foreign land. They offered to help him expand his menu and introduce more traditional dishes from Kashmir.
Raj was thrilled at the offer and welcomed Adil and Zara into his restaurant with open arms. Together, they worked on new recipes and added them to the menu. The restaurant became even more popular with the locals, and people from all over Rome flocked to taste the authentic dishes from Himalaya Kashmir.
As the restaurant grew in popularity, Raj decided to give back to his homeland. He started a charity program where a portion of the restaurant's profits would go towards helping underprivileged children in Kashmir. He also started hiring staff from his homeland, giving them a chance to showcase their skills and earn a living in a foreign country.
Years went by, and the Indo-Pakistan Restaurant continued to thrive. Raj, Adil, and Zara became like a family, and their bond grew stronger with each passing day. The restaurant had become a symbol of love, unity, and the power of food to bring people together.
Even though Raj was far away from his home in Himalaya Kashmir, he had found a new home in the streets of Rome. And the Indo-Pakistan Restaurant had become a symbol of the beautiful connection between two cultures, united by the love...
Read moreWell, the decor of the restaurant is tacky, extremely outdated. In the words of Leonardo DiVinci, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
The restaurant was empty when I arrived. No host to greet you or seat you. I had to walk to someone number crunching in a corner to ask if it's okay to be seated. He huffed and puffed and told me to sit at the corner table. It was an uninviting and unprofessional interaction. I actually walked from the Piazza del Colosseo to the restaurant, about 30 minutes. This was after walking around the Vatican. So I was tired, and I expected some water, but none was given or offered.
While I was sitting there, a lady walked into the restaurant looked around and walked right out. Personally, I should have followed in her foot steps. The vibes were uninviting.
Then, the manager of the restaurant comes out and says " I was in the kitchen did someone come in ?" I thought to myself...I am sorry, I didn't know I was supposed to be your hostess? I am the customer here.
Then the manager actually stood ten feet away from me and requested to take my order, but with the most uninterested, unresponsive attitude I have ever seen. It was the first day of Ramadan, so I asked the guy if he was fasting, "having a rough fast?" in an attempt to connect with him to lighten up the mood, which worked. In the restaurant business, or actually in any business, the roles should have been reversed.
Sophistication is lacking not only in the decor and customer service but also in the food. I ordered the Mixed Grill Platter....it wasn't freshly grilled. I can tell because the kebabs were cold and super dry. The tandoori chicken leg wasn't falling off the bone, it wasn't fresh. The tandoori chicken breast were juicy and was the only thing worth eating on that platter.
I also ordered the butter chicken. It lacked spice. It lacked coriander. It lacked the definition of butter chicken. I have had butter chicken before and I wouldn't bother with this one. The dish just tasted like almond sauce with chicken. It was not good.
The rice that came with the butter chicken was cooked well.
Lastly, when you make a reservation online. The website says to mention you checked out the website for a 10% discount, but the guy argued with me for 5 minutes saying that he was already giving me a discount (which was not true, my bill tabulated the exact price of the menu items purchased, nothing less). Then he had to make a call to check if he could give me the advertised discount? Again, the customer service is very bad here and the advertisement is misleading.
I did not enjoy my visit or my food. I could have had a michelin star lunch and culinary experience in Rome for the same price that I paid here. Overall, I would not return and wouldn't recommend it as it was a waste of...
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