Mehfil Restaurant, Ahmedabad Review

When I moved to Gujarat, I embraced all things Gujarati with open arms (and a hungry stomach). It took a little getting used to the sweet and salty combination in their dals and sabzis, but soon enough, I was hooked. However, one fine day, I found myself craving the hearty flavours of authentic Punjabi cuisine. The so-called Punjabi food in Ahmedabad was a far cry from the real deal. Desperate, I turned to my foodie friends for help. They pointed me towards a quaint dhaba-style restaurant named Mehfil, conveniently located by the side of a bridge. It was run by a delightful senior Sardarji, who knew his way around a kitchen.

Almond Broccoli Soup 

 My go-to order at any Punjabi joint is dal makhani and paneer   handi. Mehfil’s dal makhani was a revelation—light, unlike the     typical heavy versions served in other Ahmedabad restaurants.   The paneer handi was equally delightful, almost transporting   me back to the dhabas of Punjab. I became a regular, visiting   every six months to get my fix.

Manchurian

Then came Covid, and my visits stretched longer than usual.   When I finally returned, I was met with a heartbreaking scene:   the senior Sardarji was nowhere to be found, and the food had taken a nosedive. The dal makhani was now thick and heavy, the paneer had lost its charm, and my taste buds were left in mourning. It was disappointing, to say the least. 

Mehfil Restaurant,
Bopal, Ahmedabad

But as they say, old loves die hard. So, when I heard that Mehfil had opened a branch near my place, I couldn’t resist giving it another shot. This time, I dragged RB along for a Sunday dinner. We ordered almond broccoli soup and Manchurian, alongside our staple dal makhani and lachcha paratha. We did not add our favourite handi paneer as we already had soup and starters. To our surprise, the soup and Manchurian exceeded expectations, but the dal makhani and lachcha paratha were tear-inducing (and not in a good way). We left, vowing never to return.

Dal Makhani, Lachcha Parantha

While Mehfil’s food isn’t bad per se, it’s just not the authentic Punjabi fare that once made me a loyal customer. Perhaps others will find joy in their dishes, but for me, the magic is gone.

My Rating-

Food - 3/5

Ambience - 3/5

Service - 3.5/5

Stay healthy and eat well!

Best regards,  

Neerja Bhatnagar

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