Al - Saj Kitchen

Mary Christine Joy

2 years ago

5.0

we really enjoyed our food here, though we ordered their signature dishes only. The octopus Tawa fry was just amazing. and we ordered pothun kaal, which is beef leg with bone marrow. The quality and quantity was great.

Nikhil Jose

2 years ago

2.0

All show no substance. My friends and I were craving some nice Chatti Choru in Aluva, and this is where Google Ammachi told us to go. When you reach the entrance, you are welcomed by a swarm of people and parked cars. With so many cars and people, we assumed naturally that the food must be delicious, which is why they are here. Alas! We should have been right about the food part. They do have a lot of parking spaces, but it would not be easy to get one. You can drop off your family members at the entrance and ask them to look for a place to sit while you find a place to park your vehicle (as this might take some time). There are plenty of tables, but it is so crowded that it is difficult to get a table (we arrived at 2:30 PM on a weekday, hoping we would avoid the lunch crowd). Once we got to the table, it was time for part 2 of this episode: Who is the waiter? We first waited 10-15 minutes to find someone and catch their attention. Once you catch the server's attention, making them come to your table will be difficult. Even if they do, they will be in such a hurry that it will make you feel like you don't have their complete attention. Either they are understaffed or the service is slow; I'm not sure, but at this moment we are not happy with the experience. The ambience is good; if you can manage to get a table near the riverside, then good for you. Otherwise, there are flies inside to keep you company, and the fans don't do much justice. I read the reviews that said this place is overpriced and overrated, and I see now why they said that. The food takes some time to reach your table, and the rates are moderately and highly priced. The rates are not worth the food that you will receive. They also have a small boating service for six people at one corner of this place; you could try this as well if you have time to kill. So, we ordered mixed Chatti Choru (Rice in an earthen pot), Kalanji (Sea Bass) fry, and lemon soda. The mixed Chatti Choru on the menu will make your mouth water, which is why you will be ordering this dish. It has a mix of vegetable dishes, seafood, and beef items. You look around, and you will find that everyone is having this Chatti Choru, giving you more confidence to get this dish. Now, let me explain why I found this Chatti Choru to be a scam. 85% of this Chatti (earthen pot) is Choru (rice), and the rest 15% are curries. So you will be full, but you won't feel content, if you know what I mean. The taste is very basic, not delightful enough that I would want to come here daily for this dish. The Kalaji looks good; texture-wise, it is impressive, but is it flavorful? No! ₹1,000 for this big fish is not worth it if it tastes very basic. It was cooked to perfection, but it had a robust black pepper flavour, probably the only spice we could taste. We were pretty disappointed with this as well. On the whole, our experience here was a sad affair. The food was basic, the service was slow, and not worth coming here for a second time. I still need help understanding how a crowded place is unable to deliver good, flavorful food, why else is the crowd here; certainly, it can't be for the service. Probably the day we went, the cook would've been different; I'm just giving them the benefit of the doubt. But, with that first impression, I'm not going here again and wouldn't suggest any family or friends go here either. I would like to give the: Food - 2/5 Service - 1/5 Ambience - 2.5/5

+2

Binu Azeez

2 years ago

2.0

Driving through Alwaye, and decided to check out Al Saj Kitchens. The restaurant setting is absolutely beautiful with great views over a river and the sunset was gorgeous. We sat and ordered the following: The Bellary Mandi: The beef rib though on the smaller side was super delicious and fall of the bone tender. 4/5 Because the rib portion was so small, we ordered two more portions of ribs, but were told that we could not get Bellary ribs, but the usual salt and pepper ribs. It was super disappointing. The ribs were tough and chewy. 2/5 The Paal Kappa: Ribs with creamy tapioca in a coconut sauce. I loved this dish, but again the ribs were tiny. 4/5 The Thai Chicken Mandi: The rice is the same as the Bellary Mandi, but the chicken was sweet and not soft in the least. Disappointing. 2/5 Whole Fish Tawa Fry: 4/5 Korean Honey glazed beef: 3/5 The ice cream shakes: 4/5 Service was absolutely horrible. Most of the staff are sitting around in groups and chatting. One of the staff refused to clean a table when we entered, and another staff then agreed to clean the table for us. Service is slow. 2.5/5 Ambience is good, mostly because of the stunning views, though the restaurant is set up nicely. Would I go back? No. Moral of the story: Don’t believe everything you see on social media. Overall: 2.5/5

Bineef Ibrahim

2 years ago

2.0

ചിക്കൻ മാന്തി വാങ്ങി very bad heavy salt ചമ്മന്തി salt കൂടുതൽ ചിക്കർ bad

Dilith Ashokan

2 years ago

1.0

Bad smell from juice corner, washroom cleanliness was not good, one of the staff was spaying hit (insecticide) near the dining area. Most of the staff was sitting simply looking at their mobile phone without any attention to customers. Overall experience was very bad and too pathetic. Not at all recommended for someone looking for good ambience

Shefaz

1 year ago

1.0

I’ve ordered from Al - Saj multiple times, hoping the food would improve, but every time, it has been a huge disappointment. The taste is consistently terrible, and the quality doesn’t justify the cost. After giving them several chances, I’ve decided I won’t be ordering again. Definitely not recommended!

jeni

2 years ago

1.0

Not worth the hype. Food is average. Forced to share a table with 2 others after a wait of 20 mins. This is not the expectation when you pay to have a peaceful lunch at a restaurant. Unable to understand why people are thronging in huge crowds for such average service.

john

1 week ago

1.0

cockroaches. Too much waiting time. They allow only rich folks in top floor. No system to track the people waiting in line or who goes next. Pathetic service. Rude behaviour. Dame masala in all food. pathetic chinese.

seena sajith

2 weeks ago

1.0

Today we ordered for Parcel of a fish meal and 3 Biriyani For fish meal costs ₹190 we got a veg meal with watery fish curry without fish. Also got a piece metal mesh from Beaf Biriyani Bad experience

Shibinjoseph Pj

2 years ago

1.0

bad quality and less quantity, poor service, loss money, cheeting restuarent, don't pick phone call,😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡