Agra, Uttar Pradesh – Gateway Hotel – Buffet #5

Late this afternoon The Group visited Agra’s best secret, the – Baby Taj – or – I’timad-ud-Daulah – as it is correctly known, a prelude to sunset at the Taj Mahal. The India Trip 2016 is nearing its conclusion.
Tonight is the penultimate Indian Dinner, the last Indian Buffet in India, #5 for those who have lost count. The Gateway Hotel (Fatehabad Rd, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India) is the venue, our last night with a Taj Mahal view.

As has been practiced for each Buffet on The Trip, The Hector chose a quiet moment then went up to record all of the Dishes on offer. Nahari Lamb made the heart sink, but one never knows, maybe it is better at Source. Mixed Vegetables in the Minimal Creamy Masala encountered already would have been a welcome addition, Chilly Wine Sauce? We shall see, or maybe not. Daal Makhani is a firm Hector Favourite. Potatoes have been a Revelation, my first exposure to Okra too.

                           Nahari Lamb                            Baked Vegetable          Herb Potato

Vegetable Hakka      Noodles Mixed              Bhindi Masala  

             Vegetable Chlly Wine Sauce                                                      Kadi Pakori

                         Kadhai Paneer                                              Daal Makhani

I ended up with a larger plateful than any Buffet to date, whata-mistaka-to-maka.
The Lamb Shank was on-the-bone as is the norm, the Sauce the customary Shorva. The Lamb tasted like Boiled Ham, there was no Seasoning I could taste, where was the Spice? This was Terrible!
The Daal Makhani was also Under-seasoned, the expected Flavour was not there. Marg put in – Earthy, however, had she been exposed to this Dish more frequently she would have realised what a poor example this was. The Kadhai Paneer featured Copious Capsicum, the Taste of the latter interfered with the Overall Flavour. Hold on, an Alternate Richness became evident, the Masala was Thicker than in the Mutton Dish, this Dish was not as bad as first feared, but far from Wonderful.
The Bhindi Masala rescued what was already a Disappointing Meal, Full of Flavour, Very Dry, an Excellent Dish!
The Naan came to table, after I’d finished, a waste. Hector was not impressed. Micro-Desserts were also on offer, sorry, more Disappointment.

Meanwhile Marg was in Buffet Phase with Alison. As well as the above, Marg managed to find Chicken Korma. How did I miss that? Watery – was our agreed verdict. We have had – Good to Excellent – Meals in India, I cannot recommend the Food presented at Gateway Hotel, Agra.

India Trip 2016  –  Day 7  –  Agra, Uttar Pradesh – The Taja Mahal, Agra Fort + I’timad-ud-Daulah