I normally wouldn’t like to berate one of my favourite joints. But Basilico at Pali Naka did badly let me down last Friday night. And it’s not funny when you have paid a good Thousand Rupees (20 USD) or so for two.
Actually I was supposed to make bhapa eelish (steamed hilsa) after work. But both Kainaz reached home very late as we had meetings which ran well into the evening. To top it, my car’s battery died as I left the headlights on and we managed to get is started after half an hour’s help from my boss, his driver and some of our colleagues.
K and I were quite tired by the time we returned home and decided to go out for dinner.
I suggested Basilico. We sat in the open section, with the large plants strewn around, which was quite scenic in the rain. The rain sounded lovely too and I looked forward to a great dinner.
We shared a black current soda which was nice – sharp, not too sweet. We had a mezze platter with it. The aubergine mint dip was sweetish and nice and the cream cheese dip was to die for. The range was a bit limited in comparison to Out Of The Blue. The lavash and soup sticks were a bit monotonous and some pita bread would be nice.
Still, so far good.
We were still enjoying the appetisers when the waiter came with the main course. I sent him back and asked him to get them when we were ready.
The food, when it came, was quite disappointing.
I had ordered a canaloni tube pasta with goat cheese and mushroom. I had visions on tubes of pasta filled with lovely, crumbly goat cheese like I had in Turkey. What we got were three pyramids of a tough pasta casing, stuffed with lame chopped mushroom with a bit of cheese coating on the top. Very tough and disappointing.
As I told K later, evolved pasta seems to be an acquired taste which we haven’t acquired. I remember that we diddn’t like the ravioli at Mariott or the ‘hand made’ pasta at Mia Cuccini. Good old penne, fusilli and farafelle work for us.
We had a rosemary braised chicken too. Presentation was nice. Meat was very tough and harder than a soldier’s shoe. The sauce was fairly uninspiring.
We left both dishes unfinished. Which says it all
So net score, presentation was good, food sucked… as did the service. I left a comment on their feedback form about the importance of serving the main course AFTER folks have finished their starters.
I maintain that Basilico is a nice place but I must order more carefully the next time. Plus I have found their service to be a bit limp and uninformed in the past too.
Some sure shot things there are their pastas, Moroccon broths, beef roulade and just about any dessert.
And you now know what not to call for!