Musaafer - Review - Galleria - Houston - The Infatuation
"Musaafer is on the second level of the Galleria Mall, wedged between glitzy restaurants and Saks Fifth Avenue. And if the location isn’t indication enough, the Indian restaurant is glamorous, primarily decorated with intricate tiles and golden framed art. Every elaborately plated dish involves a ceremonious table side performance, with an abundance of sauce-pouring, delicate hand-mixing, or anything dramatic enough for your Instagram feed. And while some of the dishes rely more on spectacle than flavor, you can still enjoy a meal here if you know the right combination to order. photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Musaafer photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Musaafer photo credit: Quit Nguyen Knowing the cheat code on what to order at Musaafer will optimize any special occasion, starting with ordering the tender dal and the lamb chops. Both are filling and flavorful enough to be worth the price. But not every dish is created equal. Sometimes, the fish topping a bright curry is beautiful but bland. And some of the appetizers, like the coriander shrimp, are tiny, making us feel short-changed. But you can forgive having to hawk down your waiter for another round of $20 cocktails as you sit on a designer couch. Food Rundown photo credit: Quit Nguyen Mithus Coriander Shrimp We love the well-seasoned shrimp. However, the puffed-up bits of bread feel like an afterthought, and while we don’t mind the addition, there isn’t enough of it to soak up the remaining sauce. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Malwani Fish Curry This curry arrives incredibly fragrant, but the excitement stops there. While tender, the fish is under-seasoned and is somehow missing the flavor of, well, curry. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Nihari Lamb Chops The lamb chops should be at your table. The meat falls off the bone with the slightest touch from your fork, and there’s a hint of sweetness that will encourage you to dive back in for another bite. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Dal Musaafer This dish inspires us to make t-shirts and join the lentil fan club. And after having the earthy dal, you might want to join the group, too. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Mishti Doi It’s almost too pretty to eat. But once you’ve snapped pictures of the mishti doi from every angle, you’ll have a newfound appreciation for the yogurt’s versatility." - Gianni Greene
