Bishal
Google
I had high hopes when I walked into Shiraz Golden Restaurant near Ajaynagar, EM Bypass. After all, the name Shiraz carries a legacy in Kolkata’s food scene. But honestly? This visit was nothing short of a disappointment—from the food to the service to the sheer lack of value for money.
A Biryani That Had No Business Being Called Biryani
Let’s start with the biryani—the dish I was most looking forward to. But the moment I took a bite, I knew something was off. No rich aroma, no depth of flavor, just bland rice with a piece of chicken thrown in. It was so bad that I refused to take my takeaway order, but instead of understanding, the staff insisted I take it because it was already packed—as if that magically made it better.
Chicken Kassa That Shouldn’t Have Left the Kitchen
If the biryani was forgettable, the chicken kassa was downright bad. The gravy was oily, watery, and lacked any real taste, while the chicken itself was dry and overcooked. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if a small roadside eatery served something miles better.
Average Naan, Sky-High Prices
The naan was just okay—nothing great, nothing terrible, but when you’re paying premium prices, you expect more than just “okay.” And speaking of prices…
₹1101 for This? Seriously?
The bill came to ₹1101, and I couldn’t wrap my head around how they justify it:
• ₹704 for two biryanis that lacked even basic flavor.
• ₹276 for a subpar chicken dish.
At these prices, you expect something delicious, well-cooked, and memorable—not food that makes you wish you’d eaten literally anywhere else. I’ve had far better meals at smaller eateries for half the price.
Even Basic Hygiene Was an Afterthought
Here’s what really bothered me—they dilute their hand wash liquid with water. I mean, come on. If they’re cutting corners on something as basic as this, what does that say about how they run their kitchen? It’s just not a good look.
This was not the Shiraz I expected. Overpriced food, disappointing flavors, indifferent service, and questionable hygiene—that’s not how a restaurant with this kind of reputation should be operating. If they don’t step up their game, smaller, lesser-known eateries will continue to do better—because right now, they already are.
Would I go back? Not a chance.