Date: January 10th
Name: Kohinor
Where: Crown Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem
This is a Groupon world. I don't often succumb to the temptation of fish pedicures or winter hats that have a special compartment for my earphones, but when a coupon for Indian food comes along I cannot miss such an opportunity.
The coupon was for a half price buffet lunch at Kohinor, the Jerusalem branch of the Tandoori restaurants. It's located in the Crown Plaza hotel.
Since this was a lunch buffet, I could only go on my day off and with someone who has flexible working hours. Y was the perfect candidate, and he has spent a significant amount of time in India to actually know something about their cuisine.
Since this was a lunch buffet, I could only go on my day off and with someone who has flexible working hours. Y was the perfect candidate, and he has spent a significant amount of time in India to actually know something about their cuisine.
We met at the entrance to the hotel and felt a little out of place in such a nice hotel lobby. Not our usual atmosphere.
The place was a mix of hotel guests, people who looked like business men and random people, couples and friends. not full but not empty. We sat at a table set for two and a pitcher of water and fresh naan were served to the table. The naan was slightly doughy but obviously freshly made. We were both hungry, and we hit the buffet.
A salad bar that seemes a little out place came first with pepper salad, cabbage salad and spicy carrot salad which were not very indian but fairly good. Then there was the Lentil soup which was, well, Yellow. Yoav guessed that there was a lot of cornstarch. possibly. Wasn't bad but not special.
The main dishes gave an option of meat or vegetarian. The Chicken Tika and the rest of the meat looked good, but since both Y and I are of the vegetarian pursasian s we tasted only the veg dishes.
The Pakora was crispy and good. The rice was seasoned with cumin seeds which was good (though I dare say the cookie goddess would comment about the cumin seeds being too strong). The dahl was very seasoned with cumin and coriander. Each were quite good, but together they were a little bit too much. Y would have liked plainer rice to accompany the meal.
In addition there were potatoes which were spicy and good and carrots and peas which tasted canned. The idea of a fancy restaurant serving canned food was dissapointing. The dips offered - Sweet chutney, spicy orange sauce and spicy lemon dip. All three were good, not too spicy. Y - not as spicy as you would get in India.
The desserts were cubed pineapple and melon. and a sweet farina pudding. Since this was a kosher meat restaurant we couldn't enjoy lassi's and real rice pudding, but the farina was a nice end to the meal. There was also hot water, tea and mint leaves and some coffee, which really did not go with the idea of an Indian meal. No Chai offered, unfortunately. :(
During the meal, between catching up and updating each other on life etc. Y told stories about meals he'd eaten in India - Northern breakfast of deep fried pancake and Southern meals at peasants houses. He mentioned that most Indians are not meat eaters, which made us feel that much more authentic.
It's nice to go out to a restaurant in the middle of the day. The food was plentiful and tasty, but I was glad I didn't pay full price to eat it.
And the search continues!
