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Contemporary Indian

My problem with Oberoi's Ziya is not that it takes familiar Indian dishes and whacks them out of shape to create continental style plated food. My problem is that the food that emerges at the end of this transformation is mere "meh" and not worthy of the Michelin stars its chef holds. We are seated for lunch at a fabulous table by the window, facing the sea. And the server shows up with two shot glasses of chaas. Totally ordinary, everyday buttermilk.

From the menu, we pick mushroom galouti as starters. I thought it will be interesting and it was delicious for sure, but not a hint of mushroom in there. By now, my dining partner was clamoring for mushrooms so for mains, we picked paneer lifafa with mushroom khichdi. What showed up was a very pretty plate but in the end, it was paneer bhurji in puff pastry. One of the best puff pastries I've eaten, mind you, but just a puff all the same. And mushroom khichdi? Well, there was really only two spoonfuls of it so not sure what to say.

What bugs me even more is that the server asked us what breads we will want, and totally failed to mention that there will be nothing to dunk my black olive naan in. To be fair, he did bring us some kaali daal after the fact but still...

Dessert was a chocolate platter. Served on a faux color palette, and very, very pretty. Wish it were flavorful...the brownie was dry. The white chocolate kulfi just not worth it, neither were the chocolate samosas. The paan flavored white chocolate mousse was nice and refreshing. And I am glad I discovered at least one redeeming fact about Ziya...the chocolate mousse with praline was yummy but that was the only one in everything that day to be so!
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Comments

CurryLeaf said…
Truthful review. I have also mailed you.
July 18, 2011 at 11:59 AM
S Rajan said…
I think the food was quite good before they revamped the menu. Having made it "sharing friendly" with bigger portions and presentation which allows divvying up everything simply looks brown, lumpy and tastes the same. Nothing like the flavours at Rasoi Vineet Bhatia. Shame really.
July 18, 2011 at 6:53 PM
Anubha said…
Hmmm resounds like my head...had many such experiences.The passion followed by taste just seem to get lost in commercialism.Along with the best of ingredients, ambience and presentation what is most required is the passion to create and serve-leave an everlasting impression!I dont remember going to any eat-out for mere ambience or name ...I always go back to for its taste and consistency!!
Simran you simply rock!!the simplicity of your blog and and the fluidity in which you pen down your experience is so endearing!Now this is one blog i keep coming back to,for its simplicity at its best :)
Happy blogging..
July 25, 2011 at 10:58 PM
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