Jambo Grill & Good Morning Paan

Jambo Grill is another one of those "hey look at the reviews on Urbanspoon, let's try the restaurant" for me. The restaurant offers daily specials which greatly influenced the night I chose to visit. My options were between Tuesday's jungle ribs or Thursday's Thali buffet (the menu may have changed a week ago because the Thursday special is pili pili wings now).

After waiting ten minutes at the door, the waiter was kind and mentioned we can sit anywhere, except by or across from the door because a cold draft constantly comes in whenever the door opens. The cold draft was true because we sat far from the door and it was definitely chilly, which can easily be prevented by placing a panel by the door.  Jambo Grill has a relaxing atmosphere and the restaurant properly maximizes their seating arrangements, emphasize on properly. The seating arrangements are comfortable and not cramped one bit.

JAMBO PILI PILI WINGS, 1LB OF MARINATED WINGS SERVED WITH RAITA ($9.95).

After waiting fifteen minutes to order, ten minutes for drinks and twenty five minutes for the wings, we were starving. The food comes out extremely slow and there were only three seated tables in the restaurant. The pili pili wings are a recommendation from the waiter and is served with a side of raita yogurt.

The wings have a slight crispy exterior but tastes dry as well as chewy, although not over deep fried. Other than the dryness, the wings have a semi slight African dry rub spice flavour and do not taste very memorable. To be honest... I expected something more flavourful and not so dry, especially for the longer than usual wait time for the wings. Moreover, the wings do not have a hint of spiciness which is deceiving considering it is called "pili pili". As for the raita when dipped with the wings, it kills the flavour of the spices while also providing a nice refreshing taste (which may be the point). Personally, I preferred having the wings as is.

JUNGLE RIBS, 12oz BEEF RIBS MARINATED IN A TANDOORI SAUCE, SPICY OR REGULAR. SERVED WITH MASALA POTATOES AND SALAD ($12.95). 

The jungle ribs seem to be a must order and is pretty much the only reason that I am here. The ribs are slightly mushy and saucy, but taste tender. However, the ribs taste slightly dry as well but not as bad as the wings. As for the spiciness, we requested for a medium level but the ribs have no hint of spiciness. Furthermore, the tandoori sauce tastes slightly saltier and saucier than the pili pili but does not taste very memorable either… something seems to be missing. Moving to the masala potatoes, the potatoes taste soft and have a light curry spice flavour. Raita is also provided on the side and the yogurt tastes milky with bits of cucumber and carrot.

LAMB CURRY, BONELESS TENDER LEG OF LAMB COOKED WITH FRESHLY GROUND SPICES IN OUR CURRY SAUCE ($14.95).

The pieces of lamb taste very tender and the curry has lots of spices. However, the curry tastes bland and there is no curry flavour?? Weird.

BUTTER PRAWNS, 14 SUCCULENT PRAWNS SAUTEED AND COOKED IN OUR SIGNATURE CREAM SAUCE ($14.95).
The butter prawns have a nice settled buttery and creamy flavour, while tasting different than Indian style curry. Moreover, the curry tastes "lighter" compared to Indian curry but in a good way. As for the "14 succulent prawns", the restaurant uses small shrimp instead of prawns. This is the case where quality over quantity is desired, less shrimp and only prawns would be much better.

SIDES OF LONG GRAIN RICE TOPPED WITH CILANTRO AND NANN BREAD.

The nann tastes soft, fluffy and moist. There is a slight char but I could have preferred more. Give me the butter prawns along with the naan and I can eat these all day.

The butter prawns shrimp is definitely the highlight of dinner as well as the only dish that we enjoyed. The curry tastes amazing and to make the wings as well as ribs taste flavourful, I drenched them with the sauce and they tasted delicious. Barbaric? Possibly. Tasty? Yes.

POSITIVES

- Friendly waiter (not so friendly waitress)

- Correctly maximized seating arrangements
- Butter prawns and nann tastes prettttty good

NEGATIVES

- Dry wings and ribs

- Staff is inattentive and inefficient

• 10 minutes to be seated
• 15 minutes to order
• 10 minutes for drinks
• 25 minutes for the first dish…. 
• Adds up to an hour?!

- A panel should be placed at the front to prevent the cold drafts

LITTLE THINGS
- Meter parking $0.25/15 minutes (there may be free underground parking but not too sure)

Food: 2.5/5

Service: 2/5