Desi Road - Paris

From the backdrop in the restaurant the welcome is warm, the card gives envy and offers the possibility to compose themselves small dishes (3-4 for 2) to share or take a thali, which is a complete tray for a person from the entrance to the dessert. Meat (inch or lamb) is delicious and the dal to fall. The flavors are at the height, but it's a shame that the dishes are barely hot when they arrive, the value ratio is pretty good. we are served very (too) quickly. in short, to be tested absolutely!

We are both of Indian origin and we are particularly demanding about the quality of the food and also the cleanliness of the restaurant. We were not disappointed at all. the vegetarian thali was very good and notices what is usually found this type of dishes. only flats: lentils and chicken, we expected a better preparation of these two dishes. On the other hand, the service is really excellent, we have been very well guided in French and English, thanks to a dynamic and attentive server. a good experience that convinced us well.

Up until Desi road and MG road opened, there were only two kinds of indian restaurants in Paris: the generic tandoori, "curry house" type offering slight variations on a theme of papadums and kir, Kiri (I mean cheese) naans, chicken tikka pieces surrounded by baroque carrot sculptures, dusty pichwai paintings, sickeningly oily butter chicken, random semi-classical background music and those ominous carved wood panels. And then, the handful of south indian canteens near Porte de la Chapelle, authentic in the same way that a bar PMU is authentically french.Desi Road broke this mold on so many different levels that it is almost infuriating: why did it take so long for such a place to open?The decor is modern and eclectic, with marble-topped tables in the style of irani cafés, bright and welcoming Gond art, and the odd piece of antique furniture. Less kitsch, more air and more light: nothing to distract you from the food and the conversation with your guests. The staff is extremely friendly and makes you feel welcome. The atmosphere is upscale but still somewhat casual, which contributes to making Desi Road a very versatile place where you can bring friends or family, a client or a date, or even Indian guests missing the flavours from home while still looking for an unfamiliar experience.Desi Road's crown jewel is their thali, a complete meal including a meat curry (lamb, prawn, chicken, or alternatively, another vegetarian dish), a vegetable curry, daal, raita, and kheer, served with rice, a naan, a piece of paneer tikka, and vegetable salad.All the variants of the chicken dish (for example: south-style green curry, butter chicken...) I have tried have been delicious. While many indian restaurants attempt to hide the bad quality of their chicken with an excess of spices, butter or oil; there is nothing ugly to hide here as the quality of the meat itself is top notch. This quality shows even more strikingly in the chicken breasts with almonds, or the tandoori chicken tikka - both available à la carte - perfectly marinated and melting. The vegetable curry du jour is good, sometimes excellent, and only on rare occasions so-so. The chef seems to be at his best when he offers simple punjabi fare (an aloo matar that isn't drowned in gravy, a super creamy rajma masala) - always flavourful and well presented. The dal is creamy and complements the other dishes well. The raita recipe changes each day, some variations have a richer taste than others but they always brings a touch of freshness. It would seem that the chef seeks a compromise in terms of spiciness, the food is on the mild-er side of the hotness spectrum, but never betrays the original recipe. The naans are fresh and soft - even though only plain ones come with the thali. I would suggest trying the "naan of the day" (my favorites: green onions, rosemary, sesame seeds). The kheer is another home classic they do extremely well.I am quite puzzled by reviewers complaining about the small size of the servings. There is just enough food in a thali to satiate an adult - people with a larger appetite might order some naans or maybe share an extra dish. Most of the "petits plats" on the menu actually work best shared between several guests, to add an extra flavour to their thali. Overall the food feels light, healthy and fresh - this is not the kind of meal that will leave you drowsy or bloated on your way back to your office or hotel.If I allow myself to comment on the consistency of the quality of the food (or in the variations in recipes), it is simply that I have eaten at this restaurant more than a dozen times, with not a single bad experience (unusual delay in getting served, incident with the waiters, unsavoury food) to report. Comparing a meal at Desi Road's with the many other experiences I have had of indian food is a difficult task: it reminds me of some modern indian restaurants in london (not as creative), of five star hotels in India (not as many options, and a different attitude to service), or a home-cooked family meal in India (with wayyy better ingredients). That is what could be the biggest issue with Desi Road: the parisians might not find it typical enough, while indian visitors might be bewildered by the juxtaposition between of chic and the homely. To all people who are used to navigating this kind of contrasts and culture clashes, Desi Road is a place like no other.

An Indian who changes classic Indian restaurants. It's fine and fresh. Try the thalis that are a tray with several curry and dessert. A full meal. very nice decoration and, even better: no music! We'll be back.

A welcome and a pleasant service, attentive without being too oppressive. a choice of wine with limited but relevant glass. and the dishes. Just forget everything you could try before, this Indian restaurant makes you discover new flavors! We took the big assortment of the home, I loved everything so much I am unable to say if I preferred one. brief, an address to try!