Vishnuji Ki Rasoi — Restaurant in Sunnyvale

We had been to Vishnuji ki Rasoi in Nagpur, (Maharashtra, India) where this chain started. The Joint in Nagpur serves excellent food, atmosphere and service. We came with that in mind, though we were sure the USA franchise would be slightly below the original.

Well having said that, our visit was hit and a miss. Let us start with what was Best/Excellent:

Best:

Easy parking. Service is very warm, friendly and we were greeted by owner Naresh. We were explained about the buffet and à la carte options. The full vegetarian menu is exhaustive. The serving plates are compartmentalized and thus easy to use. One of the person who was eating , explained to us that they serve excellent Thalipeeth ( A savory multi-grain flatbread popular in Maharashtra). We tried the whole lunch menu and small Batata vada and samosa both made fresh and served to us were excellent. Fresh puri's were great. Mix Veg and Kadai Paneer were excellent. Thecha and Lasoon Chutni were excellent. Please keep in mind that thecha is supposed to be made with green Chilies as main ingredient and should be extremely hot and preferably eaten with Bhakri/Chapati. My wife thought Malpua (a type of pancake dipped in sweet syrup) was very good.

Good stuff:

Pani Puri station was well covered with crispy puri's Sweet and regular water, filler for panipuri. Chai (Tea) was good. Plain chapati was good

Things which we feel can improve:

Bharli Vangi (Full Eggplant Curry)- This was good, though with less salt and totally Not in Marathi style. Little bit on bland side, which I guess they would have made to suit USA palate.

Masala Bhaat: A typical Marathi marriage dish made from Rice and vegetables - this dish had Less salt and was not up to the mark. Even though this dish looks easy to prepare, is hard to master, much like Bisi Bele Bhat.

Varan (Dal). Was average and could improve its wow quotient.

(For example the dal at restaurant Garam mirchi in Fremont is just out of this world, it is not spicy, simple, but very tasty dal).

Our recommendations: Entire staff/ Owners should visit Nagpur and see that taste and ambience in Nagpur, India so that they can them selves find areas to improve. Overall a very worthy effort, but leaves a little bit on the table.

We would definitely...

In a country where the local cuisine changes dramatically every 30 miles, the city of Nagpur, which is in the Vidarbha region of the western state of Maharashtra, needs special mention !

And who better to represent it than the best known chef from Nagpur – Mr. Vishnu Manohar lovingly and respectfully called “Vishnuji”.

And then we heard that Vishnuji is to open a Franchise of his famous global chain of restaurants “Vishnuji ki Rasoi” in Sunnyvale CA and we eagerly looked forward to having a meal there.

At least yesterday we had the privilege to visit the new restaurant. It presently has a soft opening and they are serving limited items and that too in a buffet style.

And we were so pleased to see that the great chef himself was there, overseeing the cooking and serving of customers. What a humble man and so sweet to talk too! Ever ready to do anything to please his customers and admirers !

He was ably supported by his local partner, Sameer Patil, who seemed eager to pick up the ropes and run the place, once Vishnuji returns home next week.

The food variety itself was limited, but a morsel of each item brought back memories of authentic home cooked Maharashtrian meals - ones that your Indian aunt would make for you with love and care.

I particularly swooned over the “Shev chi Sabji” very spicy, but mouthwateringly good !. The better half swore that “Masala Bhaath” was exactly how she recollected it to taste. And other acocmpanyments too were made very very well !

They expect to serve buffets for lunch with all items and a-la-carte from next Tuesday. Will look forward to coming here and tasting them.

Today’s meal had all vegetarian items (considering the soft opening and the auspicious religious festival of “Navratri” being celebrated back in India (Bay Area also celebrates it with equal enthusiasm at different temples around the greater Bay)!

But I would love to come back and try their Chicken Koliwada ( a favorite dish from the city of Mumbai)

Will be...

Upon my kid's request, we dined here on Saturday. Buffet food was good but not for $17.99+ tax + 3% CC charge.

Imli Kadhi, gajar halwa and other items were tasty. Service was really good. People serving roties and puris were warm and friendly. It sure makes difference! Sugar cane juice was so very watery and I wouldn't recommend it.

One of the waiter asked if I wanted SugarCane Juice and I agreed. He didn't mention that it was an extra charge. Another thing is, this restaurant charge 3% surcharge for credit card processing. This was second visit. First went well so I came back alone. But it was a very uncomfortable and unpleasant meal.

1. They didn’t have table for one so asked me if I could share a table. I agreed but another family of 3, woman was insecure sitting next to me so left. Not my problem.

2. Food was so HOT. I mean with hot peppers. I tasted a chutney after a couple of other bites and my mouth was burning for rest of the evening. I couldn’t taste anything afterwards. I ended up eating lots of raita to subside the burning mouth.

3. since the other family didn’t join the table and they didn’t ask anyone else to share, I was alone at table of 5. Place is very cramped BTW. Manager kept coming to check if I’ve finished the meal. Asked me twice. Once after I was done and about to get up, he asked might I consider moving.

This is not a charity, I paid full asking price. So NO, I wouldn’t move if I was in the middle of my meal. I felt rushed and very uncomfortable.

Nonetheless, this was the last visit....