The impressive enclave that is UB City, houses the exciting cluster of restaurants- Shiro, Fava, Toscano and for a sumptuous, delicious Indian repast, Khansama beckons as a good dining destination. Attractive decor and notably prompt service add to the experience. I have had the lunch buffet at Khansama no less than 3 times, and althought its not strictly necessary to do so (!), it helps to confirm that the quality of their buffet is superb.
Stewards at the entrance guide you to your table. The last time I had a meal there, it was a weekday in Feb 2011 and the bill per person for the buffet was Rs.325 plus taxes (comes to just under Rs.400 all inclusive) For those who feel this is a bit steep, keep in mind the range n quality of food they serve, (both veg n non-veg), pleasing ambience and attentive service.I once had a Rs.140 veg buffet in ’24th Main, JP Nagar n its was eminently forgettable.Here there are at least 3 veg starters (good taste overall).The odour of cooked meat exerts its presence over the chicken and fish starters, but these two "dry" items are almost always well cooked and seasoned.Their mutton and chicken gravies are hearty and properly flavoured .Well-made rotis n naans are delivered to the table on request.The Veg biryani just makes the cut, considering its prepared in mass amounts. The open Kitchen showing the busy chefs n cooks, separated from the dining space by glass screens, affirms the confidence and hygiene of the restaurant.Even the small fried papad-like crispies are judiciously tinged with garlic to add taste.The salads (4 or 5 of them) dont score in the veg section, but to encourage the consumption of julienned veggies, a bowl of dip is kept in the center!. There’s an egg salad and I liked the creamy fish salad which isnt always there.
Soups are good (i liked the mushroom one, while my friend liked the tomato n chooze ka shorba).Pasta in white cheese sauce also pitches in.Fresh watermelon, pineapple n papaya wait as coolers. Jamun/rasgulla, hot halwa, small cake pieces n marshmallows on toothpicks to drown in chocolate sauce n ice-cream all invite in the dessert section.A detailed feedback form shows their interest in customer feedback.A la carte options made a solid impression on my discerning colleague who particularly admired the menu’s biryani dish.This year, ’times food guide’ pegs the bill for a meal for two (a la carte) at Rs.1800 here.Their ’long island iced tea’ at Rs.370 is not bad (i dont think rum suits this cocktail!) while my companion liked the’Long Island peach cocktail’ (similarly priced).My first experience in BJN groups’s joints was in Firangipani (in Forum mall) which makes sub-par n over-priced non-veg starters, but here in Khansama, they make sure to load up the goodies! .