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After shopping in the Mall of Emirates I was craving for something spicy, tangy & zesty. I knew I wanted to eat Desi Chaat. Entering the food court with many options to choose from, I selected Khau Galli. Just peaking through its menu & even Zomato reviews, I thought it would be good.

Heard a lot of good reviews about this restaurant chain, I assumed this one in the food court will be representative of their other outlets.

What I ordered?

  • Chaat Platter
Chaat Platter

This was highly recommended by the Zomato foodies. 

The platter consisted of:
  • Pani Puri
  • Kachori
  • Vada Pav
  • Dahi Bata Puri
  • Dahi Papdi
  • Chana Chaat 
Chana Chaat

This chaat platter was served with spicy and sweet water

This chaat platter is a collaboration of various chaats served together with a serving size of 1 person. The price to quantity ratio of the platter was poor. 

Dahi Batata Puri

It was like having little of everything & not even slightly satiating. The other items were tasteless & dahi batata puri was the only better chaat among the rest.

Serving the platter for Aed 35, you would expect it to be value for money, at least have an appropriate price to quantity ratio but it was disappointing. Had you ordered each of these items individually you would be having a better quantity at a better price. 

As I was ordering this, the person who was taking my order was also uninformed. Regardless of asking, what would be the best thing for me to order, there were no suggestions. 

In case you are wondering there was literally no one behind in the line to order, it was just me and despite having a change of mind, he blatantly refused to cancel orders. 

Final review:

The price to quantity ratio was bad, the platter was tasteless. Dahi babata puri was the only chaat that was the better option. 

As for the chaat, I have had better chaats & better chaat platters for the same price or higher but with an excellent price to quantity ratio along with the right zestiness and satiating components. 

I personally dislike writing negative reviews & look for an iota of goodness in any dish or any restaurant. But this place was a sheer disappointment.

Will I recommend this place in Moe or what I had ordered? 

Definitely not, I will NOT RECOMMEND this place or the platter to my fellow foodies.

Rating: 4 out of 10

XOXO

~Mehek Shaikh

Khau Galli - خاو غالي Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
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Found this gem in the busy street of Al Karama just opposite Ansar mall. 

I was lucky to find parking in front of the restaurant that too on a Friday. So make sure to set aside time for finding parking.

As I entered the restaurant, it was like entering another zone. The smoke of sizzlers filled the restaurant & the sound of sizzling meat ordered by the other customers was gastronomical enough for me to be drooling from hunger. 


The restaurant's ambience worked well with the decor giving off relaxing and peaceful vibes.



Hygiene standards of the restaurant were pretty impressive as well as covid-19 protocols were also strictly followed.

Regardless of my 20% research on the restaurant and the food, it only allows me to make a decision 'if or not' I should be visiting the restaurant, and the remaining 80% is staff suggestion and dine-in experience. 

So prior to ordering I always ask the serving staff what is the best speciality of your restaurant and most of the time I didn't exit the restaurant disappointed.

I was being served by Mr Akshat and he guided me through their menu & suggested I order Pepper steak which was what they served the best. Before proceeding with the review, I would like to appreciate the serving staff as they made sure the best was served, customers knew what they were ordering & in case of any disappointment with the food they were willing to compensate for it. 

What I ordered?

  • Pepper Steak

Pepper Steak

This dish could easily serve 2 people & I ordered my steak to be medium.

The first bite was magical, extremely flavorful, delicious & sizzling hot. Not only the steak was appetizing enough but had an excellent price to quantity ratio. 

The sauce on the steak enhanced it's flavorful & like the name suggests it was quite peppery. Alongside the steak, there were some grilled vegetables and scrumptious potatoes that were served along with the steak which added a much needed healthy balance.

Although you might want to confirm with them the way you like your steak. As I had ordered it to be medium but my steak turned out to be medium-well to well done, although it was palatable, that was the only thing that caught me off-guard.  


Final review:

The steak was delicious, the price to quantity ratio was good, the serving staff's demeanour was very good, and the ambience was very relaxing and peaceful. The price was economical as well. 

Overall a great experience. If you are looking to dine out on a budget especially devour a steak, then I would definitely recommend this restaurant to my fellow foodies. 

Rating: 7 out of 10

XOXO

~Mehek Shaikh
Kobe Sizzlers Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
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After an unusual long workday in Al Quoz, it was time for lunch & my unfamiliarity fear kicked in and Zomato came to my rescue. Indeed it was a difficult choice to make from among the restaurants available in the area however I settled for a Desi-Keralite cuisine for lunch. And that led me to WIDE RANGE; a restaurant located inside the food court of Al Khail Mall. 

Al Khail Mall located in Al Quoz

Easy navigation of both the mall & the restaurant was a plus point as well as the free basement parking available for the visitors of the mall.

As I entered the restaurant I was slightly surprised because the interior like its name was interesting & average at the same time. The menu too did not disappoint me as it literally was wide-ranged ~ no pun intended. The ambience & cleanliness was adequate however covid-19 protocols were strictly followed along with the polite demeanour of the serving staff. 

I refused starters and directly opted for the main course. 

What I ordered?

  • Vazhayila Mutton Dum Biryani 
  • Mixed Grill Lebanese Medium 
Vazhayila Mutton Dum Biryani 

The serving size was enough for 2 people. The biryani was flavorful and economical in price. Overall the biryani was palatable & suitable for lunch. Biryani was served with Dahi raita & tangy pickle; a one killer combo.

Mixed Grill Lebanese Medium

The platter consisted of:
  • Chicken & Mutton Kebabs
  • Chicken Tikka Kebabs
  • Chicken Wings
  • Grilled Onions & Tomatoes
The quantity for the mixed grill was very good. The meat was fresh, succulent at every bite & cooked to perfection. Nonetheless cooked on charcoal enhanced its aroma & flavour ten folds.

The price factor was also at its par with the flavour & freshness. Highly recommend it. 

Hummus


Arabic bread


Garlic Mayo

The platter was served with additional Arabic Bread, Fries, Hummus & Garlic mayo. 

Final review:

The Wide Range as a restaurant was full of surprises as I wasn't expecting a Lebanese grill at a South Indian restaurant to taste good (highly recommended). The price to quantity ratio is at par. The only problematic thing was the waiting time after ordering food which was considerably longer & nothing was done to compensate for it. 

I would recommend this restaurant only for the Mixed Grill Lebanese, to any foodie on a budget living in that area and if you happen to get yourself caught in an unfamiliar location like Al Quoz, you know where to head out.

Rating: 6 out of 10

XOXO

~Mehek Shaikh

Wide Range Restaurant - مطعم وايد رينج Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
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Found this gem, hiding in the heart of Al Karama.

Won't lie to you but Zomato ratings made me impulsively select this restaurant & I was not disappointed.

The restaurant looked pretty average from the outside but let's not judge the book by its cover.

I get hangry (angry because I was hungry) real quick & just in time this restaurant came to my rescue, I arranged a last-minute dinner plan with my family.
I was so thankful that there were ample parking spaces available, trust me you'll be thankful too!

As I entered the restaurant; it had an authentic Indian ambiance that resonated with the restaurants you would find on the streets of India. You know the best things are due to come when beautiful Nostalgia hits you from the very beginning.

What I  Ordered  ?
    • Chicken lollipop
    • Hyderabadi Dum Mutton Biryani
    • Bheja Fry
    • Gulab Jamun
    • Tandoori Butter naan

Chicken Lollipop

For the starters, we ordered chicken lollipops which were perfectly fried, with the perfect blend of Indian herbs, a very common indo-Chinese dish that was perfectly unique.

Bheja Fry

As a main course, bheja fry was fiery & succulent in texture. So juicy it just melts in your mouth.

Hyderabadi Dum Mutton Biryani (Jumbo)

The show stopper of the dinner, this biryani was so different to the types of biryani's I have tasted, the mutton was tender. However, it had the scope to be a little bit better yet the quantity impressed me.


Final Review:


The Meal

As the food arrived, I was simply in awe of the quantity of the food. It not only looked delicious but my olfactory senses simply knew, that it would be the best.

BTW, the mutton biryani was a jumbo (good for 2 people) but the serving staff was so honest & polite that they told us the serving quantity is enough to feed 4 of us & still be eligible for a takeaway.

Apart from the quantity, the taste of the meal was phenomenal, the meat was fresh & tender. The butter naan was also very soft. Adequate & acceptable cleanliness & COVID19 SOP's strictly followed. The serving staff was polite, honest, cooperative & friendly. And not to forget to mention, the price ratio is way less compared to the portion ratio, so any foodie out there on a budget can enjoy a delicacy without damaging your wallet.

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this restaurant & its food, make sure to trust the serving staff they will serve the BEST to the BEST.

Rating: 8 out of 10

XOXO


~Mehek Shaikh



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Hosting a family gathering is what I had missed the most during Covid Lockdowns. As soon as restrictions were lifted & minimal family gathering was allowed, I knew I had to plan one. As a host, I selected Zafran Restaurant located in Dubai Marina Mall which is casual dining that serves Indian delicacies.

Inside View

 

My dining experience with Zafran post-Covid was fantastic. Diners & the restaurant followed strict SOP's. Apart from their impeccable services, I was highly in awe of their hygiene, as they sanitized the entire table and seats. To avoid the touch of menus, there was a QR CODE menu at every table. There was an outside seating area that had a splendid marina view but unfortunately, it was closed due to Covid. 

But the staff was sweet enough to provide us access for photography purposes.

Outside View

               

               

Welcome Snacks:


           What I Ordered ?

Chaat Platter


                   






















Just to give you an idea of serving size & portions 


Butter Chicken


Ghosht Kairi Ka Khima

                                                             HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Rasmalai


Malai Kulfi


Butter Naan

Final Review:

The overall ordered menu was satisfactory in taste but brilliantly managed to capture the true essence of Indian delicacies in its menu. The price for the ordered menu was way above the quantity & quality ratio but the ambiance compensated. This restaurant is just perfect if you are trying to chill with your friends or have work meetings as it provides you with free unlimited WIFI. Also don't forget to try their Ghosht Kairi Ka Keema, I Highly Recommend it.

Rating: 6 out of 10

XOXO

~Mehek Shaikh


Refer to the below menu we ordered from.

The menu we scanned through QR CODE (ATTN: the menu may/may not have been changed)

       

 




Zafran - زافران Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
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Just a crazy hijabi who wants to conquer the world. Passionate about food, lifestyle, skincare & much more & a die hard fan of Mustang. Stay tuned for more of my whimsical adventures.

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