Richard R.
Yelp
I just wanted to update my original review to say I've now been back to Sankranti for lunch three times and love it more and more each time. The CHICKEN BIRYANI and GOAT CURRY have become my favorite staples. However, items on the daily buffet change, so I have discovered TWO new favorites:
The FISH PULUSU (5+ stars) over their shrimp fried rice was DIVINE!!! I didn't know I needed this in my life until today and now I'm not sure if I can live without it! Also on my can't live without list is the dessert called GULAB JAMUN (5+ stars). It is made mainly from milk solids, traditionally from khoya, which is milk reduced to the consistency of a soft dough, fried, then soaked with an aromatic syrup spiced with green cardamom, rose water, saffron, and served warm. It is TRULY DELICIOUS, but very sweet. I found that the rice kheer helps cut the sweetness when eaten together and the fryums (colorful puffs) help reset your tongue with their saltiness. The fruit custard is also tasty! All of these items together made my latest visit a delight!
One other item I must mention is the PONGAL. It's a simple porridge type rice dish, but it goes so well with any of the entrées and also helps reset my palate from all the flavors of the other dishes. ENJOY!
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LUNCH BUFFET REVIEW
Sankranti was the location of the latest Yelp Elite Event I attended almost a month ago to the date. We were allowed one entrée and one drink. I chose the Goat Pulav and found myself rather disappointed with both it and service. I said as much in my review. However, after discovering they have both breakfast AND lunch buffets, I made myself a promise to return. The lunch buffet ($14.95) was actually less in price than the menu prices of most dinner entrées. So I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get a better sampling of the menu since most items were completely unfamiliar to my tongue.
[ THE FOOD ]
Most yelpers who attended the event raved about the Chicken Biryani, so I was very pleased to see it available on the buffet. I started slow with a tiny sampling of almost everything and after determining what I most liked, went back for seconds and even thirds. Not being much of a spicy food eater I was EXTREMELY pleased the food was very mild and spiced in a way I could handle, allowing me to enjoy the flavor of each dish. Everything was acceptable, but some items were exceptional. Those items were:
* CHICKEN BIRYANI | 4.5 stars
As flavorful as advertised. My cultural instincts would have preferred a tad more salt, but the aromatic biryani spice mix combined with the tenderness of the chicken and moistness of the rice was perfection. I enjoyed the chicken legs the most.
* PANEER TIKKA MASALA | 5 stars
I must admit I had absolutely no idea what I was eating at the time, but I know now paneer means cheese. What I DID know is I loved the flavor of the gravy! Rather sweet actually and helped calm my tongue from some of the other spices of other dishes. I hear tikka masala is traditionally a spicy gravy, but this one was not. Actually, most of the buffet items were mild and only a few had a slight kick. I enjoyed this over their Asian style fried rice.
* BUTTER CHICKEN | 4 stars
A mild creamy sauce with chunks of boneless chicken.
* MANCHURIAN BABY CORN | 4 stars
I just loved it! Everything about it delighted me!
* VIRGIN PIÑA COLADA | 5 stars
Excellent flavor and very useful for cooling down the tongue of those of us who are spice wimps!
[ SERVICE / ATMOSPHERE ]
Sankranti is a very large facility with multiple dining spaces. The lunch buffet is held on the second floor which feels a little more open and casual than the first floor dining room. There were three food islands: One housed the Chicken Tandoor, Chicken Biryani, Goat Curry, Chicken Curry, Egg Curry, Butter Chicken and Fried Rice while the second had most of your sides + naan and the third island presented desserts. I was entirely too full to even attempt to try any of the dessert selections. Some of the offerings listed included: Pyasam, Dahi Kadhi & Raita. The staff was friendly and accommodating.
[ FINAL THOUGHTS ]
The current lunch price is a real value considering the amount of food I ate! The buffet in my opinion is the perfect way to dabble into Indian Cuisine for those who are not exactly familiar and don't know what to order (like me). My first plate was basically a small sampling of everything while my second plate was loaded with all the items I liked the most. My third plate was almost exclusively the Chicken Biryani + a small serving of the Paneer Tikka Masala on fried rice.
While I didn't really enjoy the food at the yelp event a month ago, I was thrilled with the buffet and now find myself eager to return with my wife and friends for yet another round! Thank you Sankranti for a wonderful lunch experience. So glad you hosted that event because I doubt I would have ever found you otherwise!
Sincerely,
Your newest loyal customer
2023 / 3