Showing posts with label Indian cuisine. Show all posts

A slice of Bombay | Bombay to Mumbai cafe


Bombay to Mumbai café is located on the first level of Marco Polo Hotel. The Hotel in itself has an old world charm, and the same can be seen with the restaurant too.



The moment you enter, you cannot miss the painting, all of them resemble the core of Bombay. If you have lived in the city, you definitely will be able to resonate with the vibes. From the BEST bus to the dhobi to the vibrant Ganpati painting. It was just beautiful.






You have a chat corner near the entrance which is open until 8:00 p.m and a fully equipped bar on the opposite end.  The remaining area is for dining and for a live band. They have a live band that churns out Hindi music, and you can also request for your choice of songs (yay).








We started off with Banarasi paan chuski (with alcohol). The problem with being a Blogger is that you end up spending more time trying to get that perfect shot and end up cold food, or in this case, melted chuski. But nevertheless,  I totally love d the concept of having a Banaarsi paan gola and moreso with alcohol. It’s a sure shot winning combination. it was served with Pistachio toppings.



My friend opted for Lemon mint muddle which was very refreshing and perfect for the hot weather.

We started off with pani puri and dahi puri (I have a weakness for chaat). I loved how pani puri was served. The tangy and sweet water was served in shot glasses with the puri on top filled with moong dal and black chana.  I devoured every single puri and was glad they kept a masala puri in the centre . Dahi puri was a feast in itself. It was just perfect.






For the starters we tried Paneer tikka nana keesh, Mutton kalonji seekh kebab, BMC chicken tikka,  and Shabnam ki moti.







Of the lot my favorite were the Shabnam ki moti and BMC chicken tikka.  Shabnam ki moti is aptly named, you bite into crispy fried shells holding luscious gooey mushroom center which just bursts in your mouth and makes your mouth salivate. BMC chicken tikka was succulent with the right amount of spices.



What I loved about paneer tikka nanakeesh was the novel concept of naan as a pizza base. I’m not a pizza person, and hence didn’t enjoy this much. However, the toppings on its own is delish.




We swiftly moved onto mains post a cosmopolitan and ordered for Chicken tikka masala, Jhangli mix veg, biryani rice and roti with a side of raita. The chicken tikka masala was all things desi. From the right amount of spice to the thick creamy gravy and the succulent chicken. It pleased my desi palate.




Jhangli mix veg was a vibrant platter of bell pepper and paneer. And it looked every bit Jhangli and tasted really good. I love bell peppers, so this was something I devoured.




For dessert we had the Gajarela truffles. Gajar Halwa was cleverly concealed in a white chocolate mould. It wasn’t my favorite as I love piping hot gajar ka halwa on its own. But my friend loved it and she gorged on them all.



The staff is extremely warm and helpful, and ensured we were comfortable throughout our dinner.

The staff, ambiance, amazing food combined with live hindi music makes this place a must visit. If you are from Bombay, you will definitely resonate with the restaurant. If not, enjoy a bit of Bombay in Dubai.
Location: Marco Polo Hotel, Al Muteena, Dubai
Cost: AED 200 for two

Reserve your table at: 045260871

I was invited to Bombay to Mumbai Cafe and all views and images are © Urbanmodish, unless stated otherwise.




Bombay To Mumbai Cafe Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato 

Asha


If you’ve lived long enough in the UAE, there’s a good chance you’ve dined at Asha’s, or at least heard of it. Asha’s is a contemporary Indian restaurant chain owned by the legendary singer Asha Bhosle.

It’s been 15 years since they opened its first branch at Wafi. They have about 16 outlets spread across the globe and still counting.
We did walk quite a bit to reach Asha’s – either courtesy to my ‘exceptional navigation’ skills or that we couldn’t finder a shorter route. As soon as we heard Indian music playing we were sure we found Asha.
The walkway to the restaurant is warm and welcoming. I love warm muted tones and dim lights especially for dinner settings and Asha’s is just that. It’s perfect for romantic dinners. We chose to sit outside and I loved the ambiance. Perfect spacing among tables, soothing music and dim lights and good company – what more could you ask.







I was invited for the Festive Biryani – and who can ever say no to Biryani. For those who are new to Biryani, it is an intricate dish made up of fluffy rice, complex spices and tender pieces of meat. With thousands of variants around the globe, each with their own local twist, the biryani is a dish remembered for its preparation and taste.




As with majority of Indian restaurants, we started off with complimentary papadams and chutney.

For appetizers we opted for Samosa’s both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. I could never say no to samosas. The vegetarian samosa was palatable, but the Indian in me would have liked it a tad spicier. The accompanying chutneys complimented the savory snack.


The most anticipated meal of the evening was definitely the biryani – we chose the hammour biryani. Our server suggested we opt for one as the portion is huge – and I kid you not – the portion is huge! It’s a good quantity for 2-3 people.


The biryani was served in banana leaf and as soon as the lid was opened  - the distinct smell of spices hit you, and in an instant you know you don’t want to be further disturbed and just want to spend that time eating biryani.

The Biryani was perfect – the rice was fluffy and cooked to perfection. The fish was perfectly cooked and marinated in mint paste. It was a delight to look at and as you ate a spoonful you know you are in for an amazing food experience. The fish was succulent and juicy, and just melted in your mouth. The Biryani overall was saporous.
We finished the meal with Gulab Jamun and having a chocolate tooth, I was intrigued to try the Chilli Chocolate mousse. The Gulab Jamun was soft and just melted away, and was toothsome. I was so looking forward to the chocolate mousse that I set up high expectations for its taste.



Between the Gulab Jamun and chocolate chili – I’d go back for the gulab jamun.



The service is exceptional. Our plates and cutlery were cleared post every course. The staff were ever helpful and pleasant.
Asha’s is a perfect place for a quiet rendezvous with some good Indian food, and cozy vibes

Contact:

Location:  Level 1, Pyramids At Wafi, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai, Umm Hurair, Dubai
Timings –  12:30 pm to 15:30 pm
                   19:00 pm to 00:00 am

Cost: AED 400 for two
Reserve your table at: 043244100

I was invited to Asha's and all views and images are © Urbanmodish, unless stated otherwise.



Have you been following Asha's yet in social media? Like their page on Facebook and give them a follow on Instagram & Twitter. Even better get all the details on their website




Asha's Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato 

Mahec

Mahec is an acronym for Modern Authentic Hindustani Evolved Cuisine. The literal translation means fragrance, and that is the perfect name for an Indian restaurant as Indian cuisine has many spices and fragrances. Mahec is located in Le Meriden, Garhoud. The property is huge and has around 15 restaurants (spoilt for choice).
The moment you reach Mahec, you are welcomed by  warm welcoming staff who take you to your table.The ambiance is soothing and contemporary. The color blue is used in almost every corner of the restaurant. I love the way the restaurant is divided - It has an open bar, a lavish pub setting, and fine dine concept. The muted interiors with modern furniture makes for a relaxed environment. I loved the overhead chandeliers and the empty wine bottles that adorned the wall.










As soon as we were comfortable, Chef Asif was kind enough to come and speak with us and took away the most difficult task of the evening - 'ordering food' off our hands, and I was glad he did so. He specifically asked our likes, dislikes, allergies, spice tolerance etc, so as to gauge and customize our food.


We simply sat back and enjoyed the recommendations.

 No Indian restaurant is complete without papad and an assortment of chutneys, and Mahec also brings in that Indian touch by offering complimentary papads and chutneys.


We started our evening with Bollywood Sangria and Smoky Mahua. I love my Sangrias, and thoroughly enjoyed mine throughout the evening.




For pre- starters we were offered Aloo pappdi chaat & Lemon pepper shooter. The aloo chaat was everything it should be and took me back to Bombay, the lemon pepper shooter was lit, literally. It was refreshing and just the perfect start for what was to follow.


For starters we were presented a beautiful plate of Paneer asparagus roll, Makhmali Murg tikka, Tandoori Suva Machi & Lamb Chop. Paneer Asparagus roll is one of the signature dishes –it consists of  thin slices of cottage cheese rolled with spiced potatoes and asparagus. Makhmali Murg or malai chicken is chicken marinated in cashew, youghurt and cream cheese – it was simply luscious and juicy. My favorite of the lot was Suva machi which is dill flavored hammour - fresh, perfectly cooked and scrumptious.




We replenished our drinks with the signature Masala gin Jaljeera – which is a true blue Indian drink. If you don’t particularly like the taste of Jaljeera then this drink is definitely not for you. But for those Jaljeera enthusiasts like myself, this drink was amazing. We followed up with Jager bomb and whisky infuse.



Our main course was an assorted thali that had – Lamb Biriyani (Should definitely try this), Goan prawn curry, Zaika Gosht, Dal Makhani, Chicken Tikka Masala, Cheese Naan, Garlic naan & Paratha.




The lamb biryani was sumptuous and delectable – I just wanted to sit and keep eating the biryani. I’m a huge fan of rice, probably the South Indian factor, and I just kept devouring the biryani. The Goan prawn curry is a seafood lover’s delight – prawns was cooked in coconut and tamarind spicy gravy with red chillies. The gravy was so creamy and smooth (I’m drooling just thinking about it) – It’s a must have.






Desserts are the perfect way to wind up a fabulous dinner and we were offered a dessert plate with Rasmalai, Gulab Jamun & Kulfi Malai. All three are among my favorite desserts. Well, if you are Indian, you can’t just have one favorite dessert. I loved how warm and delectable the gulab jamuns were, coupled with the cold Kulfi malai – it did make for a good combination.



But for me the icing on the cake was the surprise from the Mahec team. It was such a thoughtful gesture on their part to have celebrated my birthday with an amazing chocolate pastry, and they also made it extra special by singing along. Trust them to ensure that you have an amazing time at their restaurant. I can't thank the team at Mahec enough for their wonderful gesture.


Mahec tastefully evokes the rich flavors of Indian cuisine. You can sense that each dish that is bought to your table is crafted with love. The meat is succulent, the seafood is fresh and the biryani’s are full of flavor and are soulful.

It’s not just the food that is exemplary, but the service and the staff. The service is prompt, the staff is so welcoming and helpful, that it makes your entire experience beautiful and makes you want to go back again.


Contact:

Location:  Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, Méridien Village Terrace, Airport Road, Al Garhoud, Dubai
Timings –  12:00 am to 15:00 pm
                   18:00 pm to 02:00 am

Cost: AED 400 for two
Reserve your table at: 04376051

I was invited to Mahec and all views and images are © Urbanmodish, unless stated otherwise.


Have you been following Mahec yet in social media? Like their page on Facebook and give them a follow on Instagram. Even better get all the details on their website








Mahec Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato 
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