The old Ansal Plaza is back with a bang, while other restaurants in the complex are generating much hype, Taksim isn’t left far behind. A Retro Lounge bar with an open patio, a mini balcony which will soon open and 3 floors of immense gratification. While the outdoor area sets the mood for a romantic night the inside has a lounge feel, the DJ on the first floor and the bar on the ground.
Plush Leather couches & chairs, huge mirrors & Silhouette artwork on the white brick walls and even graffiti of monuments. The entire place has a classy look complete with well stocked bar.
Coming to the food, we started off with Dhai ke Sholey, American corn chop, Dhaniya Lahsooni Murg & Thai basil fish.
I always value the presentation too along with the food and the Thai basil Fish excited me a lot, served in a boat with a banana leaf at the base, the flavors of Basil & lemongrass were very prominent in the Fish, Quite a delectable offering.
The Dhaniya Lehsuni Murg was also very palatable, flavors of garlic were infused well with the chicken.
The Dhai ke Sholey on the other hand were very disappointing, the dahi was very sour and marred the entire taste of the dish. American corn chops were another dish that wasn’t great, the corn chops were actually really dry.
Butter chicken pide, which is actually their version of a flatbread, a decent preparation with a good base.
Chello kebab, was the best offering here in Taksim, A minced mutton seekh kebab on a bed of rice served with a fried egg on top, the flavors of the seekh were impeccable and the entire dish was just ambrosial.
Angry Chicken pasta, Veg Pasta in a tomato sauce were served next, Now Angry chicken pasta is supposed to be red sauce pasta was really a mix sauce, and the Veg one while being a mix sauce pasta has excess if cream and cheese. Not recommended.
Now coming to the drinks, we ordered many drinks, my favorite was the day special Penicillin, Ginger Honey with Dewar’s whiskey & 10ml Talisker. This was an extraordinary drink.
Now was the Chicken Thai Red curry and Veg Thai Green Curry, both the curries were served with rice and were just average, Nothing special here.
Lovely dal and Balti Ghosht with assorted breads was up next, the north Indian main course was much much better than the Thai Curry. The Balti Ghost is a spicy preparation which is very flavorsome. The Lovely Dal is their version of Dal Makhini due to the fact that whole lentils are use but sans the butter. The spices are also really different in the Lovely Dal.
Now we were too bloated but well no one can resist desserts, Chocolate mudslide & Blueberry Cheese Cake! End your meal on a sinful note.
So Final Verdict is that Taksim boasts a really good bar and it’s a well maintained property, the food isn’t amazing. But if you do plan to visit Taksim, go on one of their Special Nights and do not miss the Cello Kebeb.