Pic’Le – Barsha

Pic’Le is a small Indian restaurant in Barsha, one of many. The fact that it is Emirati owned makes it unique but inconsequential. Its interior is a simple affair, highlighted by a glass divider running the full length of the restaurant which looks into its busy kitchen, a bold move in todays world of anal standards and borderline OCD. When I walked in for an early lunch with my food buddies the place was empty. When I walked out there was a fight to get in. This has become quite a little hotspot for itself.

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The Pic’Le menu covers breakfast to dinner and everything, including chaat, in-between. My friends and I agreed that I would order the chaat (instead of starters) and they would order the mains. I ordered Pani Puri, Dahi Puri, Dahi Wada and Chole Bhatura, which is actually a Punjabi breakfast dish. To drink I ordered their Masala Chaas which could possibly be the best in the business. My companions, all of who grew up in the UK, predictably and stereotypically ordered Chicken Tikka Masala, Palak Paneer, Mutton Rogan Josh and a Veggie Biriyani, with a couple of Romali Rotis thrown in on my suggestion.

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The chaat is good ‘in case of emergency’; for when you simply must have some that very minute. I found the Dahi Wada and Dahi Puri, for example, way too sweet. The Pani Puri was better but realistically, go to a chaat specialist instead (and there are a couple in Barsha). The mains were surprisingly good, not fantastic but good. Out of the lot I liked the Palak Paneer the most. The Romali Rotis were disappointing and not a patch on my favourite, Delhi Darbar.

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I was warned that service was Pic’Le’s Achilles’ heel, but this wasn’t the case. In fact, in addition to the staff being friendly and accommodating, I found them to be prompt and attentive as well.

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The question I always ask myself after dining at a restaurant is, will I go back? The answer is, possibly. In all honesty, for my chaat I’d probably go somewhere like Chatori Gali (http://www.zoma.to/GgBvBa) and for my curry and rice (and roti) somewhere like Delhi Darbar (http://www.zoma.to/PnYYMz). But that’s just me. I think Pic’Le is a cracking little restaurant and well worth a visit if you are in the general vicinity.

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Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on xerxes@dellara.com.