Sunny R.
Yelp
"Maharani: A Night of Misplaced Hopes and Mismanaged Cocktails"
The scene was set: Maharani, the place we'd heard glowing things about from friends. The hype was real, and we were ready to indulge. With reservations for 7 pm (thanks to our foodie friends), we arrived on time, feeling all fancy and excited for some epic Indian food and drinks.
Cue the Ambiance:
Let me give credit where it's due--the decor was a solid 5/5. It's probably the best Indian interior I've seen in ages, like a little Bollywood set with mood lighting. The place was buzzing, packed, full of promise... until reality checked in.
Act One: The Waiting Begins
Water? Arrives in 10 minutes--a slow drip for what we hoped would be an epic night. Then, 7:25 pm rolls around, and finally, we're asked for our orders. It's a Friday, and we're here to wind down, not wind up. So, we throw in our drink orders:
++ Non-alcoholic Mirchi Margarita
++ Aam Panna
++ And two Angel's Envy on the big rock (because we like our bourbon smooth, cool, and classy).
But what arrived? A loaded tequila-packed Mirchi Margarita--yes, the non-alcoholic drink had a heavy-handed party crasher. I guess the bartender wanted us to loosen up... a little too much. They literally dipped a straw in to taste test (because why not?) and admitted their mistake. 20 minutes later, it finally returns, sober this time. Meanwhile, our Angel's Envy bourbons? The big rocks were now half-melted. Check the pic for evidence of ice abuse. $16 for a drink, and they serve it like this?
Now, for bourbon drinkers like us, let me break it down:
For $16, I'd like to at least know what I'm drinking. Is this the standard Angel's Envy, or are we talking about something more premium, like the Cask Strength that sits at around $90 a bottle? Or maybe the Sherry Cask or Cellar Collection, which are much rarer and hit the $250 mark? There's a big difference between these and a standard pour. If you're going to charge a premium, at least give us transparency on what's being poured. Bourbon lovers don't just drink--we experience it. So, give us the full story upfront!
Act Two: VIPs and the Not-So-VIPs
Here's where it gets extra interesting. The Caucasian crowd next to us? Drinks in 5 minutes. Free papad to munch on like it's a casual Friday ritual. My friend had to ask for the papad. Another table behind us? Same VIP treatment. I'm not asking for a red carpet, but come on, at least make it feel fair. Is this a Friday-night mismanagement issue, or was I wearing invisibility cloaks?
Act Three: Appetizers--The Good, The Bad, and the Unwashed
++ Chicken 65: A serious disappointment. Some pieces had that funky, "Was this even washed?" smell. You know the one I'm talking about. Two bites in, and I was done. My friends enjoyed it though--maybe I'm just cursed with good taste (or taste, period, lol).
++ Pani Puri: Meh. It was there, but nothing to brag about.
++ Jodhpur Pyaz Kachori: Star of the show. Crisp, flavorful, and the unanimous winner among the appetizers.
Finale: The Mains--Where Did It Go Wrong?
We went for the big hitters:
++ Lahori Seekh Kabab: Well-spiced and tasty, but not earth-shattering.
++ Tandoori Chicken: Actually really good--juicy, succulent, and flavorful. Not quite the authentic Delhi-style, but definitely a highlight.
++ Gobi Manchurian: Decent, but again, nothing exciting.
++ Noodles: Overcooked. Enough said. Just a mushy mess of what could've been.
Intermission Hero: The Waitress to the Rescue
Midway through the meal, our waitress finally stepped up to the plate. She realized things weren't going great and made a noticeable effort to speed things up. Drinks started arriving faster, and she really worked hard to save what was left of the evening. Huge kudos to her! Because of her effort, I'm throwing in an extra star.
Final Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Maharani, you had potential. The decor, the vibe--it started off so strong. The tandoori chicken and the hard-working waitress were bright spots in an otherwise chaotic night. But between the mismanaged drinks, inconsistent food, and questionable service, I walked out thinking, this was not $300 well spent. 2 stars--one for the ambiance, one for the waitress. The rest? Time to find my Friday night fun elsewhere.