The Pickle Post

by Rohan Tibrawalla on 5 Sep 2009

So Delhi finally got a Hard Rock Cafe, but to be honest the wait wasn’t worth it.

The place is built like any other Hard Rock anywhere else - large and spacious with a lively décor adorned with random “celebritied” artifacts which are seemingly meaningless to the Indian crowd.

No one really cared about Madonna’s much publicized bustier.The best part of the meal was the trip to the bathroom, which is relatively small compared to the gigantic place itself, but is pretty clean and neat - a bathroom that prides in itself.

The service was terrible at best and begins right at the door even before you are ushered into the restaurant like a convict on trial.  I had called at 11a to make reservations for a very late lunch at 330p and Amit had told me “no problem, there’ll be space.”  My friends and I landed up on time and were told there was a wait - which was a blatant lie.  After realizing we had made a reservation, they promptly called us in and guided us to our seats, awkwardly trying to hide that fact that nearly a quarter of the place was empty.  There in the 1^st lie.

We quickly ordered a chicken fajita and a half portion of nachos, but had to quietly wait for more than forty five minutes.  On checking, the waiter informed that the food would be out in five minutes but about seven minutes later asked to repeat and confirm the order.  There in the 2^nd lie.

So after close to an hour, we were finally served food that a decent “maharaj” with less than 20 minutes and 200 rupees to spare could’ve easily prepared.  The “hard rock nachos” were nothing more than mediocre cheddar melted over extra large pieces of tortilla chips with random, mostly tasteless vegetable pieces strewn around along with about four pieces of the smallest jalapenos.  The chicken fajita was no better.  The only thing large about this, as the waiter described it, was the plate it was served on.  The small, thin piece of chicken breast complemented the four tiny pieces of flour tortillas and definitely couldn’t have served one hungry person let alone two delightfully young gentlemen.  For a big place, it sure did have small helpings.  The chicken itself was soft but rather tasteless.  Along with the one scoop of sour cream, half a helping of guacamole, and a few pieces of lettuce, onions and tomatoes (none of which seemed fresh), one could conjure up a slightly tasty but not filling meal.

Knowing a lost cause when I see one, we ate fast and left quicker.  Since this trip, I’ve heard god things about the place, but never anything about the food.  So maybe I go back, for a drink or two, but if I feel hungry I’ll check out the food court around the corner.

Price    :           1,200 all in

Repeat :           Maybe drinks, not food