Sardar Darbar – Za’abeel

Sarhad Darbar is a chain of value for money Pakistani restaurants very much in the same mould as Karachi Darbar which it seems to have taken much of its identity from. This branch at the Al Wasl Sports Complex on the Dubai-Al Ain Road in Za’abeel is one of their newest. Like the rest of the franchise, it follows the familiar Karachi Darbar uniform inside and out, including much of what is on the menu.

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My food buddy Sam and I ordered a Hyderabadi Chicken, Bhindi Fry, Daal Makhani, Mutton Biryani and had a Roti or two thrown in for good measure. I’ll be honest, although I did not enjoy my overall experience there, I simply loved the Hyderabadi chicken which, I could swear, was cooked in Achari spices instead of the traditional Hyderabadi coconut, yogurt and spices. The bhindi fry too was very good. But everything else from the watered-down raita, to the under-cooked roti and the almost inedible mutton biryani was a huge disappointment.

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Service too was disappointing. The waiters were not properly trained, nor did they understand English. We found ourselves having to remind them to bring us even the most basic things such as cutlery; which incidentally were made from flimsy plastic. They forgot our biryani altogether. With hindsight, it was so bad, I wish I hadn’t reminded them to bring it for us. Prices are very reasonable but that should not be an excuse for substandard food or service. Thankfully there’s Androon Lahore Restaurant right around the corner which offers much better food and service.

Hey! Now read this –
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.