Bandra's latest multi-cuisine joint is a little tiny to be renamed after Iran's third largest city
New Restaurant
Esfahaan
KFC Junction, Off Linking Road, Bandra West
Telephone: 26052378
**
Bandra's latest multi-cuisine joint is a little tiny to be renamed after Iran's third largest city. That's the first thought running through our heads as we enter Esfahaan opposite frozen dessert spot, Hokey Pokey.
The interiors at Esfahaan are quite tacky: bright tassels act as curtains for one of the windows, bleached out fake brick walls surround the tables and a strangely twisted wooden shape frames the mirror in the wash area.u00a0u00a0
The menu has just one page's worth of Persian food; the rest of it is crowded with Mughlai, Chinese and Continental (which has Chicken Satay listed strangely). Not a very encouraging start but things improve... later.
We begin with Tandoori Broccoli, Tabuli Salad and Chilly Garlic Fish. The Tandoori Broccoli scares us a bit. The florets are gigantic and stained scarlet with tandoori masala. They could have been cooked a little more, the masala could have been a little less, we realise as we dig into it. The Tabuli Salad is a pretty nice mix of red and yellow peppers, whole leaves of parsley, cracked wheat, mint leaves and an olive oil dressing. But the Chilly Garlic Fish goes downhill again, it's a very Udipi style item. It's deep fried fish in an unidentifiable gravy, studded generously with garlic.
Our milkshake demands (the menu calls them "simply divine") are rejected because apparently, nothing, and that includes their special section of frappes, is available except for Iced Tea, coffee and soft drinks. Iced Tea then.
We try and play it safe with the mains, calling for a Bharwan Zucchini Masala, and the Classic Joojeh. The main course works for us. The Bharwan Zucchini Masala, thick thanks to the paneer, is intensely flavoured, sweetened by raisins.
The Classic Joojeh, basically lemon-flavoured chunks of chicken served with saffron-spiced rice, is delicious.
Each grain of the rice stands apart, drunk with ghee and mild in contrast to the tangy, spiced chicken.
A special mention must be made of the Iced Tea; the best we've had in a long time. You can tell the tea, the lemony tang and the sweetness apart and they blend in perfectly too. It's also been iced just right, so you don't lose any of the flavours. Dinner done, we look hopefully at the Esfahaani Phirni listed in the menu along with other mouthwatering treats. Alas, no desserts available either.
Esfahaan is okay in terms of food. The service is all right, but it isn't exactly a journey of experiences like the menu claims it to be.u00a0
All reviews are done anonymously and paid for by Sunday MiD DAYu00a0u00a0
Dinner for 2
Rs 963
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