Replacing Bossa Nova at Parkroyal Hotel, Benares might be KL's priciest Indian eatery; the food is fine, with several recipes seldom seen elsewhere, but we're not sure it's all worth the cost.
Complimentary amuse bouche. Some sort of cheesy crackers with a minty sauce.
We love this one: Himalayan Phaal Aur Shrikand _ grapes & assorted fruits with yogurt, cardamom, flaked almonds, pomegranate seeds & Shrikand sauce (RM25++). A perky panoply of fresh-tasting ingredients in tangy strained yogurt.
We can't make ourselves love this one: Goan Tuna Macchli _ tuna cooked with coconut & chili & garnished with coriander (RM40++). Essentially chewy slices of dried-out fish.
We're pleasantly surprised by this one: Tabakh Maaz _ lamb chops braised in saffron milk & ground almonds (RM45++). Succulent boneless meat, with nary a hint of gaminess.
We can't muster excitement for this one: yogurt-marinated tandoori chicken (RM38++). Tender & savory, but not extraordinarily better than mamak versions.
We're stunned by the cost of this one: Bundh Gobhi. Mildly spiced chopped cabbage (RM25++).
We're confused by this one: Sukha Palak (RM28++). Kinda like palak paneer but without cheese. But to give credit where it's due, this is impeccably prepared.
We wish this one would live up to its billing: The menu describes it as "eggs whisked with ground spices, green chili, coriander & seasoning, then fried to perfection" (RM20++). But it's basically a well-executed omelet _ nothing more, nothing less.
We should order briyani instead of this one: Nimbu Chawal (RM20++). Lemon rice, fairly fluffy & fragrant, but less flavorful than briyani.
We'll call it a night with this one: Ras Malai _ cheese in sweet, creamy sauce (RM14++).
We'll be drunk on this one (not!): Baron Philippe De Rothschild Mouton Cadet Rose (RM98++).
Benares,
Parkroyal Hotel, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2782-8305
ouch! the prices are pretty steep!! And it's a pity the tandoori didn't live up to the price & setting! I love a good piece of tandoori from mamak stalls! :D
ReplyDeleteVien: oh yeah, a plate of tandoori chicken like that at a mamak joint might cost less than half of the RM38++ charged here. But I suppose the comparison will seem unfair to some, since this is a hotel eatery with more frills, heh :D
ReplyDeleteMore frills... but not necessarily more flavour, eh? Gotcha, Doc! *winks*
ReplyDeleteWe drove past this place several times. It shares the same name as a 1-Michelin star restaurant in UK, but after I did some research found it's not owned by the same people.
ReplyDeleteYou should not have ordered so much at this one. LOL!
ReplyDeleteSO DARN PRICEYYYY...
ReplyDeleteKenny: luckily for me, not more flavor but not more spice either! (that's good news for the devil too, mayhap) *blinks*
ReplyDeleteBaby Sumo: oh ya, at first i thought this was an italian restaurant! cos the restaurant's signboard says 'indian' underneath 'benares,' but the font is so squiggly, the word looks like 'italian' at first glance! :D
Rebecca: heheh, the menu here is really wide! but actually there were more hits than misses =)
ReplyDeleteMichelle: yeah, the price is the part that would make us hesitate about returning...
Devil doesn't mind the spice, remember? It's more of the texture that's an issue... :P
ReplyDeleteKenny: oh ya, everything feels "the same." but actually, if we look at the stuff i ordered above, there's quite a sweeping range of "not-the-same" types of dishes _ everything from yogurty salads to carb-laden flavored rice to oven-cooked chicken & creamy curries :D
ReplyDeleteYou try convincing Devil of that. He'd say, "Looks the same only." :P
ReplyDeleteKenny: aiya, now you've become the devil's official spokesperson! :D
ReplyDeleteNot spokesperson lah; just passing the message. :P
ReplyDeleteKenny: heheh, must let him speak for himself (even if i have to google translate his response) :D
ReplyDeleteWas the cabbage in the Bundh Gobhi fresh or more like "ham choy"? Will you be back to this one? LOL!
ReplyDeleteunkaleong: heh, the cabbage tasted pretty fresh. crisp and mild, not sourish =) actually i wouldn't mind returning, since there's wine & still a lot more on the menu. but probably not in 2012 :D
ReplyDeleteThe Himalayan Phaal Aur Shrikand and the Goan Tuna Macchli look like something I'd enjoy. Prices are steep though huh. I'm wondering how on earth they got that enormous rock into the corner of the restaurant... maybe they're still trying to cover that cost.. hee, hee. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe Yum List: heh, i probably should have gone up to that rock to feel it up. maybe it was made of papier-mache! :D
DeleteOoooh Sean please tell me how to activate the new comment system for blogspot. I'm using blogspot as well
ReplyDeleteI replied to myself! Omg this is so cool
DeleteRad: wow, i didn't even notice the new comment system until you mentioned it! it must have automatically inserted itself. but yeah, it's cooool :D
DeleteOh no! I found out that this new system is for now only for default templates. Mine is obviously custom. I may actually need to get a new layout
DeleteOmg this is soo cool. It's much cleaner and more organized
DeleteRad: good luck with getting the new system working! i'm a techno-doofus, so i can't be of any help, heheh :D
DeleteEverything looks same to me, I pass. LOL
ReplyDeleteCK: Grrrrrrrrrrr :D
DeleteSee? Same message. LOL
DeleteKenny: i smell a set-up! :P
DeletePass by this place every morning... looks like I'm going to continue with my passes...
ReplyDeleteSmitten: heh, or maybe until the urge for Indian food strikes unexpectedly someday =)
DeleteHehe such an interesting blogpost, you're this and you're that. :P Didn't even realize Bossa Nova is no longer there! Great to know that you're venturing into more spicy food now.. so when are you going to eat Chilli pan mee with me? :P
ReplyDeleteIamthewitch: heheh, i think you were the only observant person to spot that! :D yay, let's make it a resolution to have a spicy meal together during this upcoming year of the fire-breathing dragon, ya. maybe in march or april, ya :D
Deleteyummy! love the colourful food and when i head in there, i must order the Himalayan phaal aur shrikan:D
ReplyDeleteMissyblurkit: oh ya, the presentation of the food here is really nice! :D
DeleteU should hav had the lobster tandoori..it's awesome
ReplyDeleteLifestyle: oops, i think that was too expensive for us...
Deletewah it's certainly not an affordable meal here.
ReplyDeleteEiling: yeah, if only prices were about 30 percent lower =)
Delete