Village of India - 1070's St. Mary's Road

This weeks post bring me to yet another incredible type of food - Indian food. The special part about this post is that it is truly a first review from a restaurant that I have never been to, that I had not heard anything about - and I therefore went in blind - and left bewildered and disappointed.

I recently reconnected with a friend from high school and found out that we live in the same area. I suggested, as I do with most people that we meet up for a bite to eat. As he works from home fairly often, he suggested a restaurant that he had never been to but was close to his place. I was more than happy to agree to meet him at Village of India - formerly the Wok Box on St. Mary's for those of you who are trying to place the location.

This is not my first Indian food adventure. I love Indian food. All the different flavours and colours make eating Indian food an experience. From Navratan to Murg Bahar, to Samosas and Butter Chicken - Indian food has something for everyone. Village of India however - not so much.

We met in the parking lot and walked into the restaurant where there was a litter of tables with no real flow to restaurant. Still looking like it was in transition from the former restaurant to this new incarnation. We were "greeted" by a server who abruptly made sure that we knew this was a vegetarian menu only. To be fair that is a very good thing to know and maybe they have had customers come on in and then leave swiftly after learning of this revelation. However, the way the server informed us of this important fact was almost accusatory. That being said - we turned to each other said not a problem - let's do this. **This was the 3rd unexpected vegetarian meal that i had eaten that week - very abnormal for me and I wondered if I would survive.**

Upon finding a place to sit after navigating a parking lot of tables we were told that we can go up whenever and enjoy our buffet meal. We were also told that Na'an bread was to be included - plain or garlic. For those of you who have not enjoyed Na'an bread before - please do so immediately. As a Carb Connoisseur I like to think there are good tasting carbs and bad tasting carbs - Na'an is mind blowing. I keep some in the freezer all the time - maybe to add to a meal - or maybe a little Indian Fusion and making pizzas or butter chicken wraps - who knows - the sky is the limit. But I digress.

We go up to the buffet and realize that there is no information about what we are about to consume. Nothing. No labels - No mention of names - No concern for people wanting to know what they are eating. Standing there looking at the spread - I could legitimately recognize 3 of 16 or so dishes. We therefore created a painters pallet based solely on colours. As we were making our way back to the table the server asked us about our Na'an bread selection. We both asked for garlic and once again were ambushed with the response - "That'll be an extra $1". Putting aside the fact that they said at the start it would be included in the buffet - there was absolutely no hint of politeness. This boggles my mind. I can understand being short as a server if you are being run ragged - however - there was not another table in the restaurant. NOT ONE.

We ate the food and it was alright - somewhat bland and unexciting. The samosas were fairly tasty and the rest of the unnamed edible products were ok. We left both feeling fairly disappointed and agreeing that this will not be a regular spot.

What this experience has taught me was that there is a huge discrepancy between Indian food Restaurants. With so many to choose from in Winnipeg - please don't waste your time and money at Village of India. Spend a couple more loonies and go to a restaurant that makes you feel at home - like The East India Company. At least there you'll know what you are eating.

Have you been the Village of India and had a different experience? Where is your favourite Indian Restaurant in Winnipeg? Let me know.