I am genuinely torn between two conflicting emotions. On one hand, I can see the investment, the thoughtfulness, the sheer intent: leasing such a spacious venue, crafting the cool decor, assembling a small army of helpful staff, and curating the vision of an expansive, ambitious multi-cuisine spread. On the other hand, I am equally appalled by the glaring lack of effort (or skill) when it comes to actually preparing the food.
Guys, you have spared no expense! You’re buying all the right ingredients. You’ve planned a genuinely superltive buffet lineup. But it’s all taking a brutal kick in the crotch because the cooking team isn’t spending the extra 45 mins required to make the dishes taste like what they’re supposed to be, rather than merely looking the part. It’s like you built a five-star theatre, installed the best seats and lighting, got award-winning writers for the script. But you handed the acting to a bunch of extras whose only claim to fame is playing trees in a school play… and still losing the spotlight to an actual potted plant.
The tamarind chutney was sour (not tangy) and tasted of raw tamarind. Just spend 15 more minutes reducing and caramelizing it, and balance the tartness with some sweetness (dates, sugar, molasses, whatever).
The suji halwa felt like a clump of soggy dough. This happens when you don’t roast the suji properly and pour in cold or lukewarm water instead of boiling hot. It’s a 20-minute fix.
The golgappa water tasted like someone tripped and fell into it holding a bag of salt. You’d get better paani from a store-bought masala packet.
The gajar ka halwa was pasty and tasted 'boiled.' Again, roast the carrots in ghee till the rawness is gone. Use khoya instead of boiling it in milk. And bump the ghee a tad. 30-mins fix, tops.
About the Gulab Jamuns: with utmost respect, please let them go. They have strayed too far down the forbidden path to be rescued. It is genuinely better to not serve GJs at all than to serve these hostile syrup-soaked stress balls that exist only to spike blood sugar without offering even a faint memory of actual taste. If you truly want to serve Gulab Jamun, use khoya. You cannot just fry bready flour balls, dunk them in sugar syrup and declare them GJs. Let the current ones retire peacefully. They have suffered, and so have we.
I could go on, but you get the picture. You bought a Ferrari with all the upgrades, filled it with premium fuel, and then handed the steering wheel to someone determined to drive it permanently in first gear.
I may sound sarcastic, but I’m saying all of this with genuine love. I adore it when entrepreneurs dare to dream big. I deeply respect the courage it takes to invest at this scale. Which is why it absolutely crushes my soul to see it all go to waste because someone either lacks the pride, the skill, or the basic willingness to execute.
I sincerely hope you invest the additional couple of hours needed in the kitchen, because your infrastructure deserves the delivery that matches its ambition.
I am a self-proclaimed connoisseur of good food across a diverse range of cuisines. Ping me if you want a more detailed post-mortem for every single dish you have in your buffet, and what you can do to take it from meh to muah (that's...
Read moreTitle: A Pleasant Experience at India101 Paratha - 4 Stars!
I recently had the opportunity to dine at India101 Paratha in Irving US and I must say it was a pleasant experience overall. From the warm ambiance to the flavorful food there were many reasons to enjoy my visit. Although there were a few minor issues I believe a 4-star rating is well-deserved for this restaurant.
First and foremost the ambiance of India101 Paratha was inviting and comfortable. The interior was tastefully decorated with an Indian touch creating a cozy and authentic atmosphere. The seating was comfortable and the music added a pleasant background to the dining experience. The staff was friendly courteous and attentive which enhanced the overall dining experience.
The menu at India101 Paratha offered a wide range of paratha options and each dish was prepared with care and attention to detail. The parathas themselves were fresh hot and deliciously crisp on the outside with a flavorful filling inside. The restaurant also provided a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options catering to different dietary preferences. The flavors were authentic and the portions were generous leaving me satisfied after the meal.
One aspect that could be improved upon was the waiting time. During peak hours the restaurant seemed to be quite busy resulting in longer wait times for both seating and food. Although understandable it would have been more enjoyable if the waiting time was reduced. However once seated the waitstaff ensured that the service was prompt and efficient which compensated for the initial wait.
In terms of pricing India101 Paratha offers good value for money. The portion sizes were generous and the quality of the food justified the prices. The menu had a variety of options to suit different budgets and overall the pricing was reasonable for the quality and quantity provided.
In conclusion my experience at India101 Paratha in Irving US was enjoyable and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for authentic Indian parathas. From the cozy ambiance to the flavorful food the restaurant offers a pleasant dining experience. While the waiting time during peak hours can be a slight inconvenience the staff's attentiveness and the scrumptious parathas make up for it. Therefore I give India101 Paratha a well-deserved 4-star rating and look forward to revisiting...
Read moreThis is a solid buffet restaurant if you're looking to try different Indian dishes as a beginner or just want to satisfy your cravings. I was in my Indian phase, and have been craving different dishes. I saw an advertisement saying this has over 60+ items, and the cost wasn't crazy either, so we stopped by.
We came around 7 PM on a Sunday and the restaurant was packed. There were a couple of large parties in front of us. They have a waiting area, which is pretty nice, with a staircase leading to the second floor. I'm guessing the 2nd floor is for private events mainly. We waited about 25 minutes for a table. The restaurant looked big on the outside, but the seating area was pretty small.
I was amazed at their buffet options and how organized everything was. They have appetizers, curries, salad bars, fresh dosa, desserts, lassi, fountain drinks, and more. Just like other buffets, you grab a plate at the beginning and make your way down the road. There are small wooden bowls if you want to separate your curries like me. I enjoyed trying everything, and I absolutely love the dosa. I wish the dosa was crispy like what I usually get at restaurants, but I think it's pretty solid for buffet style. The regular rice was undercooked-- it was still crunchy when we bit into it so that was disappointing.
I love their mango lassi and the fountain drinks. Everything is available for you to grab which is very convenient. The food quality isn't the best but it was still good enough to satisfy my cravings. My boyfriend didn't like the tandoori chicken-- he said it was pretty plain and tasteless. You can see the naan and dosa being cooked right behind the counter so that was pretty cool. They restock it quickly since there's one person behind each area. Overall, it's a solid place if you want to try multiple Indian dishes. Most buffets are only available during weekday lunch so I was happy to find one that offers weekend...
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