Minerva - Chantilly
Went to Minerva today for their buffet. Been going to Minerva for a few years and had always very good food. No complaints. However, I went today and had the worst indian food that I can remember.
I can honestly say there was not a single dish that was passable. First and the biggest issue was the rice. They had long grained chinese rice not basmati. Not only that their briani dish was also maded with the chinese rice. The brand they used was favorless and reminded me the the minute rice days. It put a bad tone on everything. The bread was old to stale and I believe they may have reheated some old naan.
As for tandoori chicken, I congratulate the chef. I did not think that chicken could be cut that small. The pieces that I did get were dry to burnt. the Chili chicken was over fried and butter chicken, the sauce was the only edible part.
To be honest, the veggie dishes were ok. But the eaten with the poor rice and bread, it was just not worth the trek or money.
Has other minervas gone down in quality?
I know that a single data point does not make a trend but I will not be going back for a very long time.
Soup
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I've commented before that bad rice can spoil the experience of otherwise good dishes. I've always thought of the Minerva buffet as a vegetarian since I rarely see any substantial meat there.
The Fairfax location is the one I am familiar with, only on the weekends, but I haven't been lately except for dinner a few weeks ago, which was fine. Perhaps the rice substitution has something to do with the recent shortages.
In general, I believe the Minerva puts on their A game during the weekends when the Indians come in droves -- and the B game during the week for the local office workers. If you haven't given up on Minerva, try it again on the weekend.
