In appearance, Eastern Food Bazaar is exactly
what the name suggests.
An Eastern Food Bazaar.
You know, like at the school bazaar, with lots of different
stalls.
There are at least eight stations/kitchens, from desserts
to starters, from tandoor to madras, with even Itanbul and
China represented.
At the starter station, there was no queue.
I was convinced that I would find my favourite Puri Patta
here. No such luck.
But, there was at least six other puri options.
We settled on Dahi Puri and Raj Puri at R20 each and paid
for it at the station.
After waiting in the main course queue for
about 20 minutes, we finally got to the station where we
could see the dishes on offer at this particular station.
Butter Chicken, Delhi Chicken, Koftas etc.
A kind lady in the queue, overhearing our
discussion about what to order, politely offered ‘You
have to pay for it over there and then come back here with
the slip.’
Thank you lady.
It turns out that there is only one pay
station for all of the stations offering main courses, and
you have to pay for it first and then go and queue at the
station that serves your choice of main.
Bad idea.
My mood dropped about two notches.
At the pay station, we both ordered Lamb
Rogan Josh with roti.
The cashier explained at length that Lamb Rogan Josh was
served with rice, and if we did not want rice there would
be no difference in the price and the roti would be extra.
My mood dropped another three notches.
Then, I had to ask, and was told that I
would have to collect the roti at a fourth station.
My mood took a serious dive. My blood started simmering
and I could actually hear myself silently growling like
a Rottweiler.
But, as Nellie pointed out ‘It’s
just because it’s our first time and we don’t
know the system.’
At very odd intervals, I am a reasonable man, and the fact
that the main course was only R35 each, with an extra R5
for the roti, helped me to control myself.
On the way out I did not bark at anyone, although there
were throngs of people who kept bumping into me from all
angles.
Now, finally, let me forget that whole experience
and tell you about the food.
After all, that is what this post is all about. Ours was
a take out order and service I suppose does not come into
it. Doesn't it? WTF.
I promise you. The food part of this review
is completely unbiased.
It was so horrible that I do not want to
eat anything remotely Indian for at least a month.
The way I feel now, I NEVER want to eat anything remotely
Indian.
In fact, if I could, I would never eat anything at all ever
again!
If you have even
the slightest clue as to what these meals are supposed
to be, stay as far away from Eastern Food Bazaar as
possible.
In fact, stay away from Darling Street if you can.
The entire CBD if possible.
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Seriously.
It’s an insult to all things Indian.
It’s an insult to all things culinary.
Horrible is not a strong enough word to describe the fare
at Eastern Food Bazaar.
