We weren’t too happy the first time we dined here because the food was unimpressive and the service pathetic. However, we stand corrected. Our second experience was worse, if possible! The moment one enters “Once upon a Pirate”, the thing that strikes you that it is a little hot for an AC restaurant. And indeed it is! Because only one out of the three ACs work (or were working on the two occasions we visited!)
We ordered for “Crispy Lamb” and “Golden Fried Prawns” and we liked the lamb and were okay with the prawns but what bowled us over was the mayo sauce. It had a complete homemade touch to it. So the next time we went, we ordered the same starters. But we were in for a surprise when a different sauce was served and on asking them about the mayo, they denied having served it earlier!! The table next to us had ordered Sizzlers and we became a little enthusiastic about it. Thus, the main course order stood at “Chicken Tikka Sizzlers”, “Egg Fried Rice” and “Hunan Chicken”. Our experience with the food can be summed up in one word – DISASTER! The Chicken Tikka thing was anything but a Sizzler apart from the fact that it was placed on a wooden platter with a cabbage leaf! The Sizzler smelt as if someone had burned it down, the tikka gravy separate and the chicken tikka pieces dry and that was it. Four pieces of chicken served with some Biriyani on the side!! That’s the Chicken Tikka Sizzler” for you! The Hunan Chicken was hot! And that was all I could make out of it because apart from the taste of red chillies, there was no other taste in the dish. It lacked aroma, flavour or “edibility”. We failed to understand as to how can one pour such copious amounts of chilli and yet render a dish so unpalatable and tasteless!
Unfortunately, we had to leave a major part of the food uneaten and ask for the bill. What amazed me at this point is that while the waiter cleared the table, none of them bothered to ask as to why such huge portions had been left behind or if we were unhappy about the food (Something that one finds at most restaurants!)
After an almost painful culinary experience, we came out and opted for a roadside kulfi. Other things unknown, one thing is for sure – we are never going back again!
OUR RATINGS:
Ambience: 3/5
Food: 2.5/5 (Only for the Lamb and the past awesomeness of the mayo that they later denied!)
Service: 1.5/5
Price: 3/5
Overall: 2.5/5
OUR TAKE:
VISIT AT YOUR OWN RISK. If at all you take the risk, stick to the Starters – you will be able to eat them at least!
