Feb 15, 2009 02:59 PM
7080 Views
(Updated Feb 15, 2009 04:34 PM)
I am back on a sunny Sunday morning, penning my thoughts on the place I visited on Valentine's day last night. Samarkand is definitely one of the popular restaurants in Bangalore. This was my second visit and so I decided to surprise myself with some unusual stuff.
The ones who haven't been here might find it tough to locate this place. Its walking distance from Safina Plaza on Infantry Road, just ask for Gem Plaza and you'll find a bright red electric hoarding.
You feel as if you have arrived somewhere in Afghanistan or Usbekistan. I still regret some western attire and internal decorations that could've been replaced with traditional stuff. Its tough for me to accept things unless they are genuine - that's the problem when you are a perfectionist.
The ambiance is impressive if not absolutely perfect. The staff welcomes you in a grand way and leads you to your seat. You can get lucky with some complimentary starters on special days. I got some on the 14th of feb. The bar items (on a bottle) are rather expensive than the menu (looks like a newspaper). They serve almost everything when it comes to alcohol.
The North-West Frontier / Uzbek cuisine has some of the most delicious items. Samarkand hasnt even tried to make one of those. Dishes like NUKHOT SHURVA, KAINATMA SHURVA and MANTI are not to be seen on the menu. The Barra Kebab (Rs. 345/-) and Sabuta Chooza (Rs. 395/-) are some of those rare items they serve. I recommend these to Kebab lovers. The rotis are too expensive.
The Naan Changezi (their version of Kabuli Naan) costs a bomb (Rs. 190/-). An Afghan would faint looking at those steep prices and think how crazy people can be to pay such a huge amount for a loaf of bread. Bombay has some lovely iranian restaurants which serve the same naan with better taste for Rs 15/-.
The main course isnt all that disappointing although you wont find dishes like KOV ROGHAN, KHALTA SAVO and MAI BIRION. It seems we Indians dont know much about food. If someone serves us pink coloured dal with a square shaped roti and calls it Persian Food, we accept it like fools.
This applies for the main course here which is a mix of Punjabi and Lucknowi cuisine and not even remotely related to the North West Frontier Cuisine. I recommend the Murgh Peshawari (Rs 335/-) and Nalli Ka Salan (Rs 365/-). The quantity is good enough for two along with Naans / Rotis.
The sweets are something you shouldnt miss if you have a sweet tooth. Try the Bakhlava with Ice Cream (Rs 185/-) and the HyderabadiKhubhani ka Meetha (Rs 150/-).
This is not a place I would like to visit often looking at those steep prices and the 'naye bottle mein cheez purani' trick. An average meal for two with sweets would cost you at least Rs 1500/- However do try the items that I have suggested if you happen to be here.
CHEERS!
