Rang Mahal — Restaurant in Dubai

A very dissapointing experience saved by Chef Saked (hope I spelt it right).

I booked a table for my wife and I on Valentine's Day as there was an offer: 7 course meal for two with one drink each and pick up and drop off chauffeur service for AED 1000.

Whilst this wasn't a bad deal, I since realised that other equivalent restaurants were offering the same for AED 500 (without pick up and drop off).

Here are reasons why we didn't like this place, which will be followed by what was the saving grace.

1. The driver turned up 1 hour late from the agreed time (he left his location at the time he was supposed to arrive at my residence) and only arrived after 6 phone calls giving directions, speaking to numerous people on the street telling them where I was, and 2 more phone calls after that. I honestly don't live in an off the track area. This never happens when new people visit me.

2. Upon arrival at the restaurant, I asked to speak to the manager to convey my frustration as it was late and our night hadn't begun with a great start. The manager Feroz said that he would discuss this after dinner. I was fine with that.

3. Upon viewing the set menu for Valentine's Day (this was never advertised on the offer and was kept hidden) there was fish in one of the courses and my wife does not eat fish but eats shellfish. We asked if this could be substituted. This was arranged after 4 trips by the waiter to the kitchen for approval and back.

4. The portion sizes were horribly small. In 90% of the courses there was literally one tiny prawn/chicken piece for us each. But I must say the presentation was awesome. I don't know how even at a fine dining restaurant, that could be considered a course.

5. We thought that as we're going to an Indian restaurant, there will at least be one curry dish. There was no curry dish, except for some lamb served on a hopper. It was probably 15% of what you'd get in another restaurant. Again, if you weren't interested in eating and had already eaten a meal but come here to appreciate presentation, this may have been a good experience.

6. Just before the final dessert came, I told my wife that we would have to go somewhere else to grab another meal as none of us were even slightly satisfied, even though it was midnight at this point.

This was when the chef came to ask if everything was ok. I then pointed out that this entire experience was far from the high expectations we had from this restaurant - considering the price we paid and the level of service and quality of food that we expected. The taste wasn't phenomenal either.

The chef advised that he would bring out some more dishes and he also pointed out that we could have repeated a course if we liked, if the food wasn't enough. This was something that the waiting staff did not inform us of before our dining experience began and even when we highlighted about our dietary restrictions, and asked whether we could just repeat one of the courses, he had to check numerous times with a manager.

In the end, the food turned out to be ok at best and we didn't have to go to another establishment to feel like we had just eaten a meal.

This was an annoying experience from the beginning and what frustrated me more was that the manager did not attempt to fix the problem, knowing full well we were upset. He just came and defended himself saying the driver was stuck in traffic etc. There was no empathy. It seems as though only the chef had the ability to turn our experience around.

Hats off to the chef.

We highly recommend that you do not go to this restaurant on a set menu day, and never accept any pick up and drop off.

There are much better restaurants with the same level of exquisite fine dining, better tasting food, satisfying portions, friendlier staff and much much...

The second tallest hotel in the world, is home to quite a few restaurants and I happened to dine at one of them a few days ago. Rang Mahal is a well-known name, and is run by the hotel itself at present.

Walking through the restaurant’s long corridor with beautiful Indian decor & private dining areas on one side and a bar and lounge area on the other, is just a prelude to its majestic dining space. The huge ceiling to floor beams and life-size paintings are a sight to behold. The view of the Dubai Water Canal is another plus point and which coupled with mood lighting makes it perfect for that date night. The restaurant is family-friendly and child-friendly too!

We tried their latest offering of Limitless Mondays which is an unlimited take on a 3-course menu of multiple starters, mains & desserts to chose from for AED199/- per person for food only & AED300/- pp including house beverages, for two hours.

Started of with Chit Chat Aur Chaat, regular chaat presented in a unique manner and tasted yumm too. This was followed by Chicken Tikka, Minced Lamb Kebab and Tandoori Paneer. They were cooked to perfection and very delicious. We also tried the Crispy Baby Squid which as the name suggests was crispy.

Mains were some of the best from around India - Chicken Tikka Masala, Kerala Prawns Curry, Dal Makhani and Cottage Cheese Kofta with rice and assorted naans. The prawns curry is coconut-based and was soo good, that I couldn’t stop digging into it. Chicken Tikka masala was tangy and spicy and I loved how it was garnished with nuts, giving it that extra crunch. Dal makhani as expected was packed with flavor and the koftas were soft and melt in the mouth.

Desserts were Rose Bhapa Doi and Chocolate Chaklet. The bhapa doi was creamy and so delicious that I finished off the whole thing in a jiffy. The chocolate chaklet was chocolatey but not overly sweet.

We also tried some mocktails - Compassioate and Orange Sunset. Have to say the bartender definitely knows his game!!

The staff were courteous, knowledgeable and very friendly. A big shoutout to Rajalekshmi, Mr. Arun, Mr. Mahesh and to Chef Alok Kumar for the wonderful service and...

Today is our last night in Dubai and wanted to try something new restaurant though we had plenty of good restaurant options. When I checked in the Trip Advisor, it says Rang Mahal is the 2nd best option for the restaurants in Dubai. I will tell you these reviews are Insane. People who have given top reviews earlier must have had the best food at that time in Rang Mahal or they didn't have the best Indian food earlier. With the kind of ambience and seating capacity they have, this restaurant must be crowded all the time. They have the amazing dining place which I should accept it. And I'm happy with the service too, but most importantly why we were there for isn't up to the mark. Whoever is the chef, you are having the best facilities, top class ingredients to make the best Indian food in the world.

I usually take some time to give the review, but very first time giving the review immediately after walking out of the Restaurant.

Food - Quality is Good ⭐⭐⭐⭐, Quantity is adequate⭐⭐⭐. Taste is below par⭐. Ambience - Top Class ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Service - They did their best⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pricing - High for the food they are Serving

I must say, the Supervisor and the Staff there took it positively and tried to reduce one item off the bill and gave 25% off the total bill. But you shouldn't be doing that if the food is top class just like your ambience and service. Try to produce the top quality food please.

Conclusion: If Rang Mahal is not under JW Marriot, it would have been closed long time ago.

N.B.: Please don't believe the reviews. There are plenty of restaurants that are providing top class food. If not top class at least tasty food based on the price they charge. Never try the biryanis here, you will lose interest...