Nothing noble

Metro Maharani makes for a good meal only if you leave your royal expectations behind

Great expectations lead to great disappointments, so don't go by Metro Maharani's name. The multi-cuisine bistro in North Delhi offers decent fare, but no queenly hopes, please.

Food

Indian, Chinese and Thaiu00a0take your pick from the rich (yet not so regal) spreads. Start your meal with the assortment of soups that include Cream of Chicken , Sweet Corn and Talumein (Rs 80 each) among others. We opted for the classic Chicken Sweet Corn, and it turned out to beu00a0 average.

Lovers of Indian food will dig Paneer Tikka (Rs 130), Tandoori Mushroom (Rs 120) and Veg Shammi Kebab (Rs 120). Carnivores can opt foru00a0 Reshmi Kebab (Rs 180), Chicken Afgani (Rs 280) and Fish Tikka (Rs 220). Our vote, however, goes to Reshmi Kebab, though we do wish it was a tad more succulent.

Moving to main course, the menu has regulars like Murgh Makhani (Rs 325), Murgh Tikka Masala (Rs 325), Chicken Maharani Taka Tak (Rs 325), Mutton Korma (Rs 150), Dal Makhani (Rs 100), Paneer Makhani Masala (Rs 140) and Navrattan korma (Rs 140) et al.

The place also has a wide range of sizzlers to offer, right from Veg Manchurian (Rs 250), Chilly Paneer (Rs 250) to Chicken Kung Pao (Rs 275), Prawn Szechwan (Rs 300) and Fish Sweet and Sour (Rs 300).

In their Chinese section, non-vegetarians can dig into Chicken Lollypop (Rs 200), Drums of Heaven (Rs 200) or Lamb chilly dry (Rs 200), while herbivores can relish Chilly Mushroom (Rs 120) or vegetable pepper and salt (Rs 130). In the main course, preparations like Chicken Hong Kong style (Rs 200), Shredded Lamb in Hot Garlic

Sauce

(Rs 200) and Baby Corn Mushroom Spicy (Rs 130) are on your plate. Team them with chicken fried rice (Rs 120), chicken hakka noodles (Rs 140) or the signature Maharani Mixed Meat Noodles (Rs 150).

Phew; there's more. In the Thai fare, you can pick from Satay Chicken (Rs 160), Porpia Chae (Rs 140) or Basil Baby Corn (Rs 155), if not the more filling Phae Phat Thot (Rs 180), Phat Met Manang (Rs 200) or Pia Laat Phirk (Rs 245). Staples include Phat Thai noodles (Rs 150) and Japanese fried rice (Rs 130). Thankfully, sweets are limited. The ice cream sizzler (Rs 150) is an innovative option, and the Gulab Jamun (Rs 60) will do the needful for desi dessert lovers.

Drinks

The restaurant is awaiting its bar license. Till then, you can sip fruit juices (Rs 50), fresh lime soda
(Rs 30) or jal jeera (Rs 30).

Ambience

An LCD screen, along with pretty artworks, adorns the walls of this 82-cover restaurant. But, the loud Bollywood music kills the spirit. Nevertheless, there's scope for improvement, we predict.