The “Moti Mahal” – Towards Unpalatable Standards

by Col LK Anand Retd
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I had the misprivilege of visiting the stall of the famous and highly renowned restaurant, Moti Mahal, established in the highly reputed and probably considered the best in India, T-3 Terminal at the Delhi Airport. I have had the privilege of dining at Moti Mahal, so many times in the past, and undeniably my family and I came out praising the delightful and well prepared tasty dishes. We always thought that Moti Mahal was perhaps amongst the top restaurants serving cuisine to cater for the taste of Punjabi food lovers.

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Incidentally, they had a branch in Indore too, which unfortunately was wound up in a huff and disappeared from the scene, just after they issued a number of privilege cards to a number of innocent members on a hefty payment, intending to enjoy their hospitality and tasteful cuisine over a specified period. It was obviously a clear cut case of cheating.

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To my astonishment, their stall at T-3 served nothing else, but disappointment to me and my wife. After quickly scanning their exorbitantly priced menu, we decided to try a Veg Thali valued at not so modest Rs 290, with a complimentary cold drink. The thali included a dal/rajma a paneer dish, rice, a paratha, salad and pickle. Judging what was being served, you could feel that the cost price of the menu served should under no circumstances be more than Rs 35 to 40. Considering, that the stall is at the famous terminal T-3, one can imagine that there would be many, sharing the profits from the Minister for aviation downwards. For once it pinches you, but then seeing what is happening all over, under the UPA Government, you have to take it in your stride.

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The quality and quantity of food served was an utter disappointment, and exploded the myth of quality of food served by Moti Mahal. The first shock I got was that the plastic thali, in which the food was served was so substandard in quality, that the moment I lifted, it bent backwards and the food fell all over. The re-served food included plain boiled rice, which was little over half cooked, a paratha which was tougher than leather, perhaps unchewable even by cows, leave alone senior citizens like us, half whose teeth have already undergone repairs. The mixed vegetable was scratched off from the near empty dish, to ensure that they did not suffer any loss due to wastage, without any consideration for the customer. The salad included just four to five pieces of cucumber, which was over ripe and hardly fit for consumption even by domestic animals.

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I had to inform the manager and the cashier about the standard of food, telling them in a blunt manner, that by serving such substandard food, they were bent upon tarnishing the good name established by its founder presumably, since over half a century. It was nothing, but a disgrace to allow such standards at T-3 Terminal. I got a reply that “you are the only one to complain about the food”. Unfortunately, it is a pity that by nature we Indians are too tolerant and accept all nonsense lying down – like we are and will be tolerating the most corrupt UPA-2 Government.

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I feel that either this stall at T-3 be wound up or the standards restored to the reputation and brand name enjoyed by “Moti Mahal”.

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Col LK Anand Retd
elkayanand@rediffmail.com