Barbeque nation, Mumbai

BARBECUE NATION, Belapur

Barbecue Nation. Does it need to be even reviewed? They are a well know and recognized name, a chain of buffet restaurants that have probably revolutionized the concept of buffet. Not that you didn't have buffet before that. But the concept of live barbecue is something that appealed to everyone and this is where I guess their USP lies. After saying all this, I need to tell you that this was actually my first visit to the place. I like Buffet, but in weddings and other such celebratory occasions and I rather prefer going to restaurants that serve a-la-carte giving me an idea of what the restaurants distinct flavors are like. It is generally seen that this point is missed out in the buffet system, where the major concern is to mass-produce where in the flavors get lost at times. However, I had always wanted to pay a visit to this one since not just months but years. This is because my brother is a huge fan and used to rave about this place since almost 5 years back. I was simply a college going student whose pocket money was limited and celebrations meant Mc Donalds and Pizza Hut back in the day and very rarely would we step out to a fancier place. 

The whole idea of heading here was for a dearest friend's birthday and as always is the case, One Jain, One Vegetarian and Two Non Vegetarians, there is a lot of issues in finding the right place where we can all enjoy and not have to compromise on our eating preferences (That would mostly be me!! :P). So brilliant of brilliant ideas, we decided to head to Barbecue Nation, because well- we, or rather I will not have to fore-go my meat and can even eat to our heart's content. There was still a small issue. Barbecue nation does not do Jain. Now what?! Now, here is the thing which gives them brownie points, having called and reserved a day ahead, they had gone to the extent of preparing Jain Food especially for One Person. In other restaurants, this is not as big a deal as they can in comparison customize easily. In a Buffet, this becomes a head-ache because the whole concept is to not serve a-la-carte but benefit from cooking on a large scale. So when someone goes to that much pain, they deserve a round of applause. This had already put them in my good books. 

Now, the most exciting part of this is the live barbecue set in front of you. This is where their USP lies as already mentioned, because most people come here to have their grills as compared to the other dishes served. You will see people taking a min of 1 hr and much beyond that to call off the first course of the meal. Did I mention it was Moh'd Ali Road Special on the Day. Now, if you are from Bombay, you would know and understand why its legendary, if not, it is a place that makes into everyone's must visit list during the month of Ramadan (Except for mine, you need to have a strong heart to come here, that story another day, I will vouch for the food though, just not have it live). So there was kebabs, tikkas and other grill items that was laid down on the barbecue and it didn't stop till well, we realized we need to leave room for the main course and dessert as well. From the Non Veg Menu, there was Prawns, Chicken, and Fish Tikka, then there was tandoori leg pieces of chicken, Fish Fry (American Style) and Seekh Kebabs. My favorite of the lot? Prawns, fish tikka and the Kebabs. You will not always get the same menu, in this place, so its a little difficult for me to say that this is what is good or bad in their menu. Having said that, they are known for their cajun spiced potatoes, Chermoula Prawns and Seekh Kebabs and I can definitely vouch for them now. The only disappointment was the tandoori piece of chicken leg they had served, the meat was not soft, there felt to be no spices in it and salt seemed to be non-existent. Except for this. everything else on the grille was ordered atleast 3-4 times. From the vegetarian selection, I did not try much but I am floored by the Cajun Spiced Potatoes. Their Non-vegetarian selection, other-wise was so good that I didn't even look towards the Vegetarian Selection, not even the Paneer. I need to also give a special mention the the pine-apples which was rubbed with spices and grilled to perfection, as this might have been ordered for a minimum of 7-8 times. I however, did not have them but it was a favorite on the table and that too was especially prepared in the Jain section. We didn't have everything full fledged from the main-course but rather were just trying everything out. The shorba/soup was a miss in both and veg and non-veg. The rest of the items were in general good, but like I mentioned, most people head here for the Starters and the Dessert section. Speaking of the desserts, its a heaven for anyone born with a sweet tooth the size of an elephant's. They had Gulab Jamun, Ice- Creams, Kulfis, Cheese cakes (Yes, I had more of those. Don't give me that look! :P), then vanilla cakes, phirni, malpua with rabri, sheer kurma and some more. The only miss I would give is to the sheer-kurma, I am very particular about sheer-kurma, because sheer-kurma is well, food for the soul which is cooked with love by my mother dearest. So you either make it right or you don't and there is no in between. 

Another concept which is very popular here is the birthday cakes they provide free of cost, if there is a birthday in the group. I had thought, kaun karta hoga before, but now I realize that 50% of the people on the day do indeed celebrate loved one' birthdays here, where they bring in a cake and embarrass you by playing Happy Birthday on Loud. I had to ask my friends 4-5 times, if they were playing it for our table or some one else's as that is how many birthdays were there on the day! I guess, heading here on the weekend to celebrate birthdays is not just our idea but every one's! :P

Barbecue Nation because Live Grille, Barbecue Nation because Food Unlimited, Barbecue Nation because there is something for everyone, Barbecue Nation because they go to the extent of customization for your preference though no body tells them to do so. Barbecue Nation because its BARBECUE NATION!! 

DAMAGES - Rs 3800/- Approx ( For 4 - 2 Veg, 2 Non Veg)

WHERE -  Barbeque Nation, G-006, Sharda Terraces, Plot 65, Sector 11, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai