It was about 11:50 and I was thinking of Fat Kee when I saw that a new place had taken the place of Moroccan Jannah in the corner of the plaza. I stepped into Desi Grill and was greeted by warm colors and a friendly waitress. She informed me that there was a lunch buffet for $14.95 but I could also order from the menu. I opted for the buffet. The decor was more of a trendy bistro, each wall was a different color and the tables set with cutlery and water glasses of different colors. Each wall was a different color. Chairs were well padded and upholstered with fake leather. All in all very modern and funky.
The buffet consisted of Basmatic Rice, hot dishes, sides and dessert. Hot dishes: Veg Pakora, Fish Pakora, Shahi Paneer, Chana Masala, Mix Veg, Chili Paneer, Butter Chicken and Goat Curry; side dishes: Papri Chat, Mix Raita; Salad and fruit, an assortment of chutney and pickles; dessert: mango cream with fruit; Ras Malai (sort of a cheesecake ball in some creamy scented syrup.
The Fish Pakora was excellent, crisp and the fish perfectly cooked, it was obviously fresh from the kitchen as it was still piping hot. The rest of the dishes was average indian fare. The goat curry stood out, each piece though small was not just bone but had tender morsels of meat on them, nicely flavoured and the goat was not gamey as it can be sometimes. The Ras Malai was nice, a bit overpowering with the rose flavour but not too sweet.
I am only giving this place a 3 because the food was not hot temperature wise. I got there around 11:50 and it was only after 30 minutes that I actually saw steam rising from the buffet table. Had a food inspector come I doubt that it would have passed the temperature test. By the time I got the food back to my table most of it was warm to cool. I'm thinking that the food was brought out and then the steam table turned on. Judging by taste I gauged that everything had been freshly cooked just not kept to a piping hot temperature. I think that if the food had been at the correct temperature the flavours would have come out better. The basmati rice was perfectly cooked and the naan brought to my table minutes after I had returned from the buffet. It is some of the best naan I've had, light and fluffy and they gave me a whole naan even though I was by myself. The paneer and chili were not really very distinguishing but decent. Buffets are always a very efficient lunch as the food is ready to go. Will probably give it a second try to see if they fix the temperature problem which Imentioned to the waitress.