In the past few years, a number of eateries have traded on the path of expanding their business through multiple location presence. Akin to the international brands, the local joints also have been able to establish themselves as a brand. However, to be able to achieve the desired goal, the guests need to be given a consistent experience. The consistency has not only to be in the quality and taste of food but also on equally important aspects of service and theme of interiors. On getting an invite from Desi Vibes – Defense Colony, I was quite excited since I have been thronging over their decade old and flagship joint at Noida from the very beginning. Will it turn out to be a dependable brand in making extending even experience across outlets or will it fall short was to be experienced.
Spread over three floors, with different themes, the restaurant can flaunt of both elegant and ethnic interiors. The ground floor boasts of a flashy décor of Mughal era’s Sheesh Mahal. The first floor has the feel of an ethnic Indian village while the third floor carries “inside the cave” theme.
We got to started with the traditional Shikanji as the welcome drink. The refreshing drink is good to begin with even in winters. It has become a trademark drink that gets served as the welcome beverage at all Desi Vibes outlets.
We started off with the Shakahari Kebab Platter (Rs 575) and a Kebab Platter (Rs 855). Each of the platters is an assortment of six varieties of kebabs. The Shakahari Platter serves Hara Kebab, Makhmali Seekh, Galafi Seekh, Tandoori Aalo, Hariyali and Achari Paneer Tikka. The Kebab Platter comprises of Burrah Kebab, Mutton Galafi, Tandoori Murgh, Machhi Tikka, Zarki Murgh Tikka and Murgh Malai Tikka. The array of kebabs has been decided cautiously with the flavors of kebabs complimenting each other. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian platters were excellent.
For the main course, we requested for Hari Mirch Ka Bhuna Gosht (Rs 475), MurgRara (Rs 425), MalaiKofta (Rs 375) and Desi Vibes Ki Khas Hari Bhari Mirch Ki Kadhi (Rs 325). Before the food was served, we encountered another trademark practice of Desi Vibes and were offered a host of Indian pickles with a variety of tastes. So far the going had been good and we were looking forward to the main course getting served.
While succulent and scrumptious kebabs had initiated us on the flavorsome course and we were expecting equally delectable main course, I was personally not very satisfied with the main dishes. The Hari Mirch ka Bhuna Gosht lacked the capsaicin taste of chillis. More importantly, the mutton pieces were chewy and made the otherwise reasonably good gravy not of much help to the palate. The Desi Vibes Ki Khas Hari Bhari Mirch Ki Kadhi could have been a good dish provided it was served hot. It was lukewarm by the time it got to the table. Both Murgh Rara and Malai Kofta were good in taste but I found them to be far more greasy and heavy than possibly required.
The joint had actually made a good start but lost out not only on the main course but also on the service. I have personally visited their Noida and Connaught Place outlets and have always found their servers to be in complete control. Not only delivering prompt service but more importantly creating a rapport with the guests and helping them to choose the dishes that would suite their taste and being alert to approach at the appropriate time and ask for any repeat order of bread, fill up water, ask for a sweet dish among others. The service standard set up by other servers was breached at this outlet.
While the service could be attributed to the disappointment, there were certain gaps in the main course as well which the eatery will need to bridge. But I am confident that given the history and expertise it would soon be able to make up on these fronts.
Ratings (out of 5)
Food:3.0 | Drinks: NA | Ambience: 4.0 | Service: 2.5 | Overall: 3.0
Meal for Two: Rs. 2000 (Without alcohol) | Credit Cards: Yes | Alcohol: No | Timings: 12pm – 11.30 pm | Wheel Chair Friendly: No
Address: Desi Vibes, Shop Number 7, Main Market, Defence Colony,New Delhi | Telephone: 011-30806468
Disclaimer: This review was done on an invitation from the restaurant. Due judgment and care has been applied by the author to remain objective and unbiased in the review, but readers need to consider this review keeping this fact in mind.