The Plan & Setting

It was a hot, windy Tuesday afternoon when I (Devesh) decided to celebrate my birthday with Margret (my wife), our daughter Zoey, and my best friend Anil. We headed to The Barbeque Company, located in Gardens Galleria Mall, Sector 38, Noida, Uttar Pradesh (201303).

Because it was a weekday, the restaurant was quiet — only two other tables were occupied. The calmness made it feel like it was ours for a few hours. We were shown to a comfortable table, given menus, and the staff offered complimentary drinks to kick things off. We all chose mint mojitos, letting the coolness counter the heat outside.

The Buffet & The Grills

They had a vast buffet spread. The menu included over 10 starters, a full main course section, and more than a dozen desserts. Before the charcoal grill on our table was lit, the server asked for our preference—vegetarian, non-vegetarian, or mixed—and we opted for non-vegetarian so we could enjoy both.

Once the coals glowed, the parade of starters began: chingdy prawns, battered fish, mushrooms, chicken drumsticks, kebabs, soya chap, crispy corn, potato salsa, paneer tikka, chicken masala tikka, and more. We asked the servers to pace the starters so we wouldn’t fill up too quickly; we wanted to savor the meal and conversation.

Zoey got a special pizza made without veggies (her favorite) while Anil and I watched, amused as she quietly competed for all the prawns that came to our table. None of the rest of us got many prawns — and we laughed about that.

Interlude & Browse Break

After about an hour of starters, we were so comfortably satiated that the main course felt daunting. Margret suggested Anil and me step out and browse the mall a bit, making space (and appetite). We walked through aisles of clothing stores, picked out interesting items, and then returned to Margret and Zoey — ready again for more.

Main Course & Dessert

We made our way to the main course counters, choosing dishes like dal makhani, paneer curries, butter chicken, various fish and mutton options, noodles, Manchurian, and more. Margret boldly went for Laal Maas (a fiery mutton delicacy), rice, and roti.

By the time dessert time came, we were full, but still curious: betel-leaf ice cream, chocolate ice cream, vanilla pudding, chocolate mousse cake, and more sweets waited. We tasted, laughed, and lingered over sweet bites until the last spoonful.

After the Feast: Shopping & Joy Ride

As the clock moved toward 5 pm, we left the restaurant and returned to the shops. With Zoey in tow, we chose and purchased the items Anil and I had browsed earlier (with Margret’s company this time). Then Zoey insisted on a bike ride in the open area — and we did it. Her laughter as she pedaled, the wind in her hair, made me feel like time had slowed just for us.

Drive Home & Reflections

We left the mall in the late afternoon, driving back toward home in a quieter car. The sky had dimmed; the evening air felt gentle. No grand fireworks, no big party — just food, laughter, teasing over prawns, conversation with friends, a ride, and sweet fullness. It was a birthday lunch turned day out — peaceful, warm, unforgettable.

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