[Rating:4/5]
India Grill is a metamorphosis of the American Grill restaurants popularly associated with Hilton hotels. Open, airy and well lit, it combines a casual atmosphere with a fairly well thought out menu that tries hard to represent as many diner preferences as possible.
I tried their Rocket Salad (Rs. 295), Pizza Margherita (Rs. 395) and a platter of Pork Chops (Rs. 545). The salad included fresh rocket, provolone cheese, sun dried tomatoes, pine nuts, red bell peppers, seasoned with salt and drizzled with balsamic – fresh flavors and well put together. The pizza was the classic Margherita made with mozzarella (not sure if it was all-buffalo), basil and tomatoes. As with the salad, this too was done well and eaten without comment. Finally, the pork chops – well done, served with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. Every dish was perfectly executed, looked great and tasted… fine.
India Grill resides within a 5 star property and is run by professional staff. The food at most such places cannot really be found lacking. If I were to describe the food at India Grill in one word, I’d choose ‘clinical’ or ‘nutritious’ or ‘sustaining’ and other such words that stand for an activity that doesn’t center around the food, but of which the food is a component. The food therefore becomes peripheral, indifferent and it is so at India Grill at the Hilton Garden Inn, New Delhi/Saket. I’m not complaining though – that’s the nature of the beast.
What I will comment on however, is the service. Nothing lacking there too – clinically detached, polite and they follow the script given to them. Yessir they do. Which is why I was asked, when my mouth was clearly engaged in masticating a mixture of pork, potatoes and vegetables, “So sir, how is the food”. “gwhideyawwwhridhe’ I said, and the man skipped away with a smile on his face and a spring to his step.
- Sid
PS: Prices mentioned are introductory prices and will probably be raised in a few months.
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Lol!
Sid, we need prices in the reviews. I am fine with someone not using saffron in biriyani for Rs. 50, but not for Rs. 500, you will forgive use for buff for beef when kabas sell for Rs. 2, but you wont do when they cost 500 for a plate….and at 5000 you may expect Kobe!
Yessir, price is a must. Its all in the ‘value for money’.
@Siddhartha Singh
Great minds think alike – Whilst I was reading the review – the thought did cross my mind – wonder what price Hilton in India would charge for this fare – behold when I scrolled down – your comment made me smile.
Kobe kebabs sound interesting.
It would appear that Rocket salad is quite popular in India – almost every review has a mention of this salad. Here in UK,
its not that common except in Summer when it grows.
@Siddhartha Singh
Great minds think alike – Whilst I was reading the review – the thought did cross my mind – wonder what price Hilton in India would charge for this fare – behold when I scrolled down – your comment made me smile.
Kobe kebabs sound interesting.
It would appear that Rocket salad is quite popular in India – almost every review has a mention of this salad. Here in UK,
its not that common except in Summer when it grows. I grow my own rocket salads in my vegetable plots.
Would like to know the quality of Potato mash with your chops. Some restaurants in UK use
Powdered mash called “ Smash” but nothing beats fresh Mash.
.-= Karam Bharij´s last blog ..Gay Pride festival 2008 Manchester =-.
@Siddhartha: I think I’ll disagree. You’re speaking of the cost of ingredients. I’m speaking of the nature of the final product, which doesn’t depend on expensive ingredients. You speak of the food at old Delhi. None of it has expensive ingredients, yet it’s one place with the most delicious food I’ve eaten.
Yes, the price is a factor, but not in the way you suggest. Also, the prices are now introductory and will increase shortly… the food will remain the same though.
Sid
@ Sid I would still be more forgiving of an Old Delhi joint if it has an off day having paid 50 rupees. But in a place where I pay 1500, I am in no mood to forgive. I have eaten Kabas at Amaya in Knightsbridge where meal exceeds 50 Pounds a head (and gets them a Michel Star), and in Matia Mahal – odd day of tough meat, or some pieces charred meat – all gets forgiven in Matia Mahal as I can ask for another one, but I would need to be Laxmi Mittal to do that in Amaya.
For example, your review of Oriental Octopus is generous and I was mostly in agreement, but if it was a a restaurant charging 5000 rupees for a meal, it would have been ripped apart on sevice, and the ingredients, everything. So even if it is an introductory price, we should get an idea of the price as price would determine how much they could pay for ingredients, how highly trained wait staff they could hire, what ambience they could afford and so on…
Anyway, you are the boss of this blog so call is yours…its just our view
@Karam I guess more than great minds thinking aike, it is a case of route to our mouths being through the wallet, so we have to care!
@Siddhartha: I’m totally confused. While I don’t disagree with anything you’ve said in your last comment or your first one, I’m not sure where you’re coming from, the reason being *nothing was lacking* on the face of it at India Grill, Hilton Garden Inn New Delhi/Saket.
Perhaps I shouldn’t philosophize. 