"I went to Maharaja with a reservation with one of those half priced living social coupons. By now, I have tried a few of such coupons, and I am aware of the fine print that says taxes and gratuity extra. Here is my experience at Maharaja. I usually do not have issues with paying taxes or tipping, as long as it’s fair. However, on this occasion, in spite of knowing the fact that my food was purchased at a promotional half price, the waiting staff argued that I have to pay taxes, as if I was buying the items full priced. Now the catch; everyone knows that the more the bill the more you get taxed on. However, it also means more towards a forced gratuity amount. Therefore, instead of taxing me on $25 of living social deal plus $30 bottle of wine, they taxed me on $50 for food and $30 for wine, and after taxes I was forced to pay 15% gratuity on about $90. It’s not that I like to make a fuss about what I had to pay for; it’s the coldness they showed while asking. I believe gratuity is something that you pay on being satisfied by a service, and not something the waiting staff grills you for, and gets to stand over your head and dictate the amount while you sign the check. If I was to draw an analogy of the waiting staff’s behavior; I think it reminded me of my kindergarten teacher, who would sometimes grill me, and occasionally even put their hands over my hands, so that I would not make any mistakes. I think that was the approach of the waiting staff with re gratuity. Food wise, it was a C-; very average food and you can get it anywhere else. The combination meat platter served was all garnishes, with hardly any visible meat on it. The Chicken Hyderabad was perhaps the leftover chicken curry from their afternoon lunch buffet. I believe they thought, I won’t know the difference. The lamb was kind of C+. At the end, I had to ask for my desert three times before it was brought out, which was B+, but I drought they made it in house. Overall, you would be better off, if you walked into any general Indian buffet for $12, or a typical two to three items deals for $10 found all over NYC. I would not recommend this place to anyone."
