Dhaba Express, a new Indian restaurant in Halifax, NS

[jaymacleod]

Dhaba Express, a new Indian restaurant just opened in Bayer's Lake area. My wife and I stumbled upon it when we went for fish'n chips at Fredies Fantastic Fishouse. Dhaba Express is next to it. They have a limited menu but the food is awesome!! The decor is nice and the staff is very friendly.

www.dhaba-express.ca

[chilibeanpaste]

If any of the fans of the Taj Mahal are thinking of beating a path to Dhaba Express you might give it a pass. A very clean restaurant with very friendly staff but the food is what you would expect of a strip mall in an industrial park.

Naans were soggy with none of the crispiness of a nann done in a proper Indian oven. Curries were very ho-hum, no visible signs of spices aside from one sprig of coriander leaf atop. The first bite of each curry said it all; the multiple taste sensations of a great curry - a different explosion of a new spice with every succeeding bite - were entirely missing.

If I worked out there it would certainly be a welcome relief to the other options about but it's not a restaurant for Indian food devotees.

[foodtaster9]

There are other choices in Halifax like Gracious Indian !! You should try it.

http://www.graciousindian.com/

[CanadaGirl]

I don't think I'd rush to Gracious Indian; I think it's pretty fast-foodish.

[foodtaster9]

There are other choices in Halifax, You should try Gracious Indian !!

http://www.graciousindian.com/

[HalifaxEater]

The food here is extremely average. The service was very slow, despite the restaurant not being very busy. The butter chicken I ordered lacked a richness I expect from this dish and there was only about 1/3 of a cup of chicken in the dish. The papadam-like things that were served before the meal had an off flavour to them making me wonder how fresh the oil was that was used to fry them. I certainly wouldn't go back and wish I hadn't gone in the first place. Lots of good restaurants for my money in Halifax, this is not one of them.

[patriciahahn]

I was very impressed with Dhaba Express. The food was very flavourful and served piping hot. I work near BLIP and will make this restaurant a frequent stop. With Dhaba, you get good food and service for half the price of Taj Mahal (overrated) and Curry Village (ugh!). Finally, Halifax has a better choice for Indian food.

[chilibeanpaste]

Ours was by no means piping hot at Dhaba. I couldn't agree more with you re: Curry Village. re: Taj Mahal - over-priced maybe, portions a tad skimpy yes but not over-rated, Indian friends agree it's tops in eastern Canada.

[patriciahahn]

Taj Mahal is a dump. Best in Eastern Canada! - You must be joking. I do not find anything exceptional about the Taj Mahal except for their ridiculous prices.

[chilibeanpaste]

Pepperfire's review of the Taj sums it up nicely. re: the dump comment, I suggest you don't go to India to experience the food. Or China for that matter.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/613556

I have an idea the food is nuked at Dhaba. It is the first Indian restaurant I've experienced that wasn't wafting of Indian spices.

[patriciahahn]

You are suggesting that I do not go to India. China. What? Your comments are irrational as your reviews - I just read a few. If you think the Taj Mahal is something to rave about, it speaks volumes as to your ability to adequately critique a restaurant.

[eastcoastal]

Whoah - no need to get so defensive Patriciahahn.

Work on your restaurant (or your friend's) and take constructive criticism as a way to improve. Unless it isn't a restaurant you're connected with, and it's only coincidence that the only posts that you or jaymacleod have made on the Atlantic Canada forum have to do with Dhaba Express.

If it is only coincidence, chill out a little - no one's attacking you, and everyone's experience at a restaurant is different.

[chilibeanpaste]

Indeed eastcoastal! Hmmm.