Spellbound as we all know is something which is captivating, that catches your attention and leaves you mesmerized. The last few years have seen plenty new restaurants coming into business but not all can boast of a beautiful ambiance, attention to details with a plush Hotel like feel. Many restaurants these days have similar kind of interiors nothing which would make a strong impact or stay with you as a memorable experience thus it wasn’t with high expectations that we visited Spellbound. However to our surprise it turned out to be a restaurant that offered much more as an experience in totality.
Located at the Gardens Galleria Mall in Noida, Spellbound does have you intrigued the moment you approach the entrance. The logo of the restaurant itself spells a royal touch and once we are inside we aren’t surprised as it truly does leave you spellbound. The restaurant interiors speak no less of interiors that you would find in a 5 star property. From the furniture, to the crockery to the private dining room and the uniform of the staff everything has a royal touch. The restaurant is spacious with 3 levels that includes terrace sitting. The lower level has a seating capacity of around 100 people with the terrace accommodating upto 60 people.
The mezzanine level of the terrace looks beautiful with colorful planters , furniture in pure white and faux grass carpeting. The level further up has vibrant painted glass panes with a beautiful view of Noida. The restaurant offers a fine dining experience with the cuisine being Indian, Mughlai, Continental and Awadhi. As we are seated in the private dining area to begin our meal experience we have the pleasure of meeting celebrity Chef Dr Izzat Hussain from Lucknow, who is at the helm of the kitchen at Spellbound. Being a Unani Physician and Indian Mughlai Chef we learn that he has given a lot of emphasis on healthy cooking by way of cooking without water, no artificial colors, no curd or yoghurt used and very less oil or spices. Dr Izzat Hussain belongs to the royal family of Awadh and as we progress with the food we learn and experience the royal touch.
Our meal begins with Murgh Kalapasi which for me turns out the highlight of the meal. Boneless chicken thigh marinated with a variety of black spices. Cooked in the tandoor this is a delight to eat with a nice crunchy coating of besan. Izzati kakori seekh kebab follow next which are truly mouth melting. The dishes seem to have just the right amount of spices used to give it a good balance and right flavouring.
Our main course consists of Mutton badami Quarma served with mint ginger kulcha and sheermal as breads. The mutton is cooked to perfection and to see the kind of consistency in the curry where no water is being used to prepare the dish is certainly impressive. Every bite of the breads with the curry are absolutely delicious. The sheermal served is new and unique to us as always had experience of having it slightly thicker and with a firmer base. This is thinner, soft and has loads of butter used giving it that glaze and making every bite silky smooth. Flavoured with freshly crushed ginger and mint cooked in the tandoor I simply enjoyed the mint kulcha.
A royal meal must end with a sweet befitting royalty. Badaami halwa and Phirni it is for us. A lovely dessert to have ended the meal with we wiped it off to the last bite with just the right amount of sweet, only wished it would have been roasted a bit more like we make at home. However it certainly did not lack in taste. What was missing was the consistency of Phirni. It was flowing just like milk and in my experience we never had such Phirni, though Chef Hussain had other opinion.
As readers would make out we were certainly Spellbound with this experience and certainly recommend all the dishes we ate. They have a live band playing in the evenings so if you are in for some Sufi music, royal experience along with feeling less guilty eating owing to the healthy preparations do go get Spellbound like we did.
Ratings (Out of 5) Food: 4.5 | Ambience: 4.5 | Service: 4.0 | Overall: 4.5
Meal for Two: Rs 2500 | Wheel Chair Friendly: Yes | Credit Card: Yes | Alcohol: License awaited shortly
Address: Spellbound, 2nd floor, Garden Galleria Mall, Plot A2 , Sector 38 A , Sector 38 Noida | Phone: 0120 6662141 , + 91 9818393633
Disclaimer: This review was done on an invitation from the restaurant. Due judgement and care has been applied by the author to remain objective and unbiased in the review, but readers need to consider this review keeping this fact in mind
