Usmania Fine Dining — Restaurant in Rogers Park Township

Usmania Fine Dining offers a delightful culinary experience that I highly recommend. The moment we stepped into the restaurant, the warm and inviting ambiance set the stage for a memorable evening. Our server, Madiha, and the rest of the staff were incredibly kind, patient, and attentive throughout our visit. Actually, even before that, the Colorful and Traditional Eastern Vehicle was a great show piece and photo opportunity for our group.

The building appears very new and spacious. There seem seem at least two large areas to dine. The front area empty this afternoon but for a few older gentlemen lounging on traditional dining rugs.

Now, let's delve into the star of the show: the food. I had the pleasure of savoring the Bihari Chicken, while my wife indulged in the Shrimp Biryani. Additionally, we sampled the Butter Chicken and Tandoori Chicken. Each dish was a testament to the skillful preparation and authentic flavors of Usmania's cuisine.

The Bihari Chicken was a true standout, boasting tender and succulent pieces of chicken that were perfectly marinated overnight in a rich blend of spices. The depth of flavor was remarkable, with hints of smokiness and a delightful balance of heat. It was truly a culinary delight that left a lasting impression. Everyone loved my dish :) I will get the again!

The Shrimp Biryani was a symphony of fragrant basmati rice, aromatic spices, and plump, succulent shrimp. The flavors were expertly layered, resulting in a harmonious blend of savory and subtly spiced elements. Each mouthful was a delightful journey through the heart of traditional Indian cuisine.

As for the Butter Chicken and Tandoori Chicken, the flavors were equally impressive. The Butter Chicken boasted a velvety, creamy sauce that enveloped tender pieces of chicken. The rich, savory notes were perfectly complemented by a hint of sweetness, creating a delectable balance. The Tandoori Chicken, on the other hand, showcased the mastery of the grill with its smoky and charred exterior, revealing juicy and well-seasoned meat within. It was a delightful ode to the art of tandoori cooking.

To conclude our culinary adventure, we indulged in the Pistachio and Strawberry Kulfi. These classic Indian desserts were a revelation. The Pistachio Kulfi had a rich, creamy texture with a a maroon colored garnished that added a delightful crunch and texture. The Strawberry Kulfi, on the other hand, had a vibrant and refreshing taste that transported us to the essence of freshly picked strawberries. Both desserts were a perfect balance of sweetness and flavor, leaving us wanting more. It seemed healthier to me than the average ice cream.

In summary, our experience at Usmania Fine Dining was exceptional. From the outstanding service to the high-quality, flavorful dishes, every aspect of our visit was a testament to their commitment to excellence. I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant and eagerly anticipate my next visit to once again savor the delicious food and enjoyed the warm...

PHOTOS ADDED TO PROVE MY POINT AND MAKE COMPARISON FOR THE SERVICE FEE CHARGED. GIVE A DETAILED LOOK TO THE LAST RECEIPT

To start with, we went in with some sort of expectations with regards to food & service.

Food :

Ordered good enough dishes for 4 people. Taste wise it wasn't an exceptional experience given the hype about this restaurant. Agha/Aga - Houston, Madras Mantra - Atlanta, Bombay Kitchen - Orlando are a few restaurants which, with their taste of food can leave you licking your fingers after every bite. So, disappointed on that front.

Service :

I don't know how busy this restaurant can get and on what day or time, but the time we went in there were about 3 to 4 tables occupied including ours (roughly 10-12 people eating including us). Trust me and I am not making this up, there were an equal number of men to serve. With a 1:1 customer to server ratio, one would expect impeccable service. Everytime we needed something, I had to turn around my neck and wait for one of the many servers to make eye contact. At times it would take upto 5 mins before someone could come to check on our requirement. I have been to restaurants with more people and less servers, yet the server would regularly come and check if everything was going fine with us. Not the case with "USMANIA". It felt more like a casual gathering among the servers where they were busy spending quality time with one another. Disappointment #2.

Price & FINAL TOTAL BILL :

The price for every single thing we ordered was expensive any given day (given the quality of food & service and otherwise). I mean $8 for a tiny bowl of kheer. Who does that? And that's just an example. And now comes the climax of this horrifying experience - THE FINAL BILL. THESE GUYS PUT A 15% "SERVICE FEE" ON TOP OF THE USUAL 10.25% TAX PLUS YOU ADD YOUR TIP. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE CITY/STATE/COUNTY TAX OF 10.25% OR ADDING A TIP. MY QUESTION TO THE OWNER IS WHAT MAKES HIM CHARGE THAT ADDITIONAL 15% SERVICE FEE, YES YOU READ IT CORRECT 15%. ASSUMING A CUSTOMER ORDERS FOOD WORTH $100. HIS/HER FINAL TOTAL WOULD LOOK SOMETHING AS BELOW

FOOD : 100 TAX @ 10.25% : 10.25 SERVICE FEE @ 15% : 15 TIP (LET'S ASSUME TO ROUND OFF) : 9.75

TOTAL : $135.00/-

YOU COME OUT GIVING $35 WHOLE DOLLARS EXTRA. CASH GIVEAWAY HUH! THE ONLY RESTAURANT IN CHICAGO AREA TO DO SO (FROM THE ONES I VISITED)

SORRY TO CREATE AN ESSAY OF A REVIEW BUT THIS WAS SO VERY...

Marriages are the most joyful and equally most stressful events in someone’s life. My daughter just got married this past weekend and since it’s a mixed marriage (she’s German-American and her husband is Pakistani) we wanted to make sure all guests are accommodated with halal food. We only had about 50 guests because we wanted to keep the celebration small. We tried out the buffet at Usmania on a weekend before the wedding to see if we can have it catered to the wedding. However, when we saw the beautiful extra seating section when you first come in, we asked if we could have the wedding at the restaurant. They were more than happy to work with us on putting this event together. Not only did they do an outstanding job with the food (spicy for some and not spicy for those who are not familiar with Pakistani food) but the waitstaff and management were always just right there to help or answer questions. Obviously, putting together a mixed celebration like this is quite difficult. The restaurant helped with the music selection and accommodated us by letting us come in a day ahead of the event to decorate the space. I never felt like I could not get a hold of anyone. I have to honestly say the staff at Usmania was top notch and this comes from someone who attends many events due to my husband’s job. If you are thinking of having a celebration, Usmania is really a wonderful place to have your event. The food is outstanding and it seems they have so many more dishes I have yet to discover. The only drawback is that the restaurant does not allow alcohol due to religious beliefs. This could be a drawback for some but honestly, I didn’t miss the alcohol at my daughter’s...