Shahnawaz Palace — Restaurant in Edison

The food is okay, and it's a great place to chill with friends and family, the air conditioning was nice, but there really isn't a reception area of the main entrance hall if you could even call it that, gets crowded really quickly, normally this wouldn't be an issue, but for some reason management requires a head count for entrance, we came in separate groups of 6 totalling to about 30 people, and we had to wait on some other people so we couldn't enter meanwhile other people who wanted to enter had to pass us, so we opted to wait outside in the heat, a slightly bigger reception area would be appreciated, it's a very minor nitpick, but if you plan on coming in groups of 6 or more make sure you all come on time. However, the biggest fundamental issue is that the dining layout is downright dysfunctional and confusing. Rounded tables with chairs all crammed into a square back room. The main hall is okay with long normal tables, but it's louder as there is a musician singing music over there. The stage for the musician is placed very very poorly practically in the center the main hall, the back hall, and the entrance. I prefer quiet area's to dine so I choose the back room with the rounded tables. They need a commericial interior designer, because it doesn't take a math major to realize that the space is not being used effectively and ergonomically for people to flow and move around seamlessly. Now this normally wouldn't be an issue, but I went during Eid, the busiest day of the year. It was really crowded and disorganized, I couldn't go from the buffet food area to my table without having to move a misplaced chair or bump into someone, each time I had to go for seconds, or get someone a drink. Speaking of drinks, their was not enough staff to accommodate beverage orders and their was no clear way to get disposable drinking cups. We could get food plates, and utensils from the buffet area, but not any disposable cups. So we had to wait on the waiters/staff (I recall only seeing 2) to bring cups and beverages, who were severely overworked and understaffed (honestly I don't blame them, it seems like a management issue). I think this place would be fine on any normal day, just avoid going on Eid or any busy holiday at all costs it's going to be chaotic, and you'll be fine if you go any other day. At $22 bucks a person it's not cheap, and I've tasted food that is better on other places. Still overall it's...

Indian buffets are great but this is Hydrabadi Pakistani. They go hard on the meat. Please do go here on a empty stomach, only take a small amount of rice, and try at least one piece of all the breads (Naan, Shermal, Taftan).

The foods amazing, please refer to my other reviews if you want to understand the way I review food but since the sheer capacity of choices is too many to encapsulate in this one review I will leave this one sentances (This is the best Pakistani food and buffet you will find in New Jersey.)

Pakistani food is already a rare cuisine since its often mixed with Indian cooking and looked at as the same and its extremely rare for me to find a buffet much less one with dang good food. The chicken was cooked till soft and it had great flavor in every bite. The beef haleem, Nihari, lamb, and so many other things I could not try because I didn't expect much and dangit I wish I had saved space for this. Tbh I've never had a Pakistani buffet, they are rare and this is legit the first one I remember even from my childhood. Dude the sheer choices and fact that they didn't skimp in the meat department and made proper dishes is mad respectful. I wished I lived closer to this place.

The Naan was legit and tasted like its from an actual Tandoor, bihari chicken was tender and flavored nicely, the Biryani though not as strong also had well flavored chicken which was soft, Palak paneer was fine. The sweets were also good. Chum chum and gulab jamun were small but proper and not some canned products, there was jalebi I could not try. There was also Kulfa/Kulfi which is Pakistani ice cream but it was the light version without the saffron and nuts but tasted amazing.

Im just straight up jealous. I payed $144 for 5 people. Price per person on Saturdays is...

Alright I've been coming here every time I come to NJ. It's time to leave a proper review.

Walking into through tight sunlit hallway makes you wonder at the food that awaits just a couple steps away. You deal with the attendant thinking to yourself 'damn that's expensive' but you know it'll be worth it. So you quiet down the brown inside your soul.

You're guided towards a table and you set your belongings down. Eager to feast.

How're you going to do it? You have to have a plan. No plan is the worst plan.

Are you going to go breakfast items first? Then lunch? then dinner? Nah nah. Explore yourself. Indulge. Hit the desert first. No no. That'll ruin the sweet surprises after hearty meal. Hit the biryani. Everyone loves biryani. You then realize that it doesn't matter one way or another. You'll enjoy it.

So you hit the buffet. Plan or no plan.

It's delicious. Every dish is crafted perfectly. The delicacies that hit your tongue leave you wanting more and more, but you know you need to move on to the next dish. The waiter attentively comes and asks if you want mango lassi or pop. Like it's even a debate. Everyone knows lassi is tassi. Plates are removed from the table by the waiters in a blur. You add plates of food and it's cleaned off in flash. How hungry were you?

Were?

Suddenly you realize. The first world problem of all first world problems. You can't fit any more in that belly of yours. B-but the desert. You didn't have the desert! You tell yourself you have to watch your weight. So you forego the kheer and the jamun and the jalabi. For the greater good.

You leave the restaurant in a better mood than when you came in. You understand now.

You feasted like a king in his palace. Your palace. Shahnawaz Palace.

It lives up...