very few restaurants manage to that perfect trifecta of excellence in ambiance, service and food. rajputana comes as close to that as any place i've ever been. set in koyambedu, of all places, it literally rises above the noise, smoke and bustle, with its soothing, leafy rooftop setting.
the staff are very courteous and friendly, making sure they go that extra mile - bringing us a fan to keep away the few mosquitos that were bothering us, and playing in a non-intrusive way with my son. the sense of generous hospitality was only heightened by the complimentary welcome drink (a delicious twist on mango juice with little apple chunks) and toothsome desserts.
the food was overall excellent, but the truly unforgettable touch was the veg biryani. i've had a lot of biryani varieties over the years, but nothing quite like this. it wasn't the typical hard-hitting spicy version, but a much more nuanced and genteel take that captured the soul of the dish while giving it a unique touch of class. you could almost taste each individual spice, even as they came together in the perfect blend. the vegetables were done just right and packed with flavour, and the dried fruits were juicy and perfectly complemented the heat. a rarely order the same dish twice at a restaurant, but this biryani is totally worth repeating over and over again.
overall, a truly satisfying and delightful experience. i went there at the end of a superstressy work day and left with that warm, fuzzy feeling that only the perfect restaurant experience can provide.