DELHI ZAIKA, MUMBAI

One late night, on my journey back from office and wanting to not have burgers but some real food and that too cheap, is what brought me here the first time round around a month or so ago. Situated in Kurla, where there are so many similar looking restaurants serving the same mughlai cuisine, I don't know why it was this particular restaurant that we stopped by. Even then the restaurant was swamped and there were quite a few people queuing up outside. Some for take-aways and some waiting for a reservation to open up. We had to wait for a good 10 minutes and we finally got ourselves a seat in there. We placed our orders in a very hurried manner owing to the time limit that we had in hands. However, the service though not slow, I can't bring myself to blame them as it was we who were in a hurry. So after a 15 minute wait, we told them to make it a take away as I needed to get home on time. But the first part of our order was already done, so we asked to be served. As soon as we took the first bite, it was like magic taking place inside my mouth. Its been such a long time, since I have had some thing that has blown me over and this totally did! What we had ordered was dahi wale seekh kabab. And I have never had some thing like it. Mughlai cuisine is the best that is out there and I don't say that just because I am a mughal ( But I am a mughal, and I did just boast about it a little. On purpose :P). Maybe it was that we did not have our complete meal, like watching a beautiful movie till half time and being interrupted, you just can-not wait for watching the rest of it. We were left in between in such a way. So maybe it was that, but since that night I have been just waiting to get back here and try the full course meal. 

My mother is back in town and as is customary, me and my younger sister wanted to take her out some where, some where that suits her taste buds and she doesn't exclaim at the prices. So I suggested this one. After all a family restaurant is the best place I have learnt over time to take you family to. No uncomfortable scenes unfold in front of you making your one and only loving mother's eyes jump from the sockets and jumping to conclusions and repeatedly going "Astagfirullah!" So on a Friday Night instead of making dinner at home, we decided to head here with the entire crew - cousins, nieces and nephews, all in tow. 

The wait this time though was roughly 5 minutes, it was crowded as usual. That speaks volumes of the place. The place is a little tiny in comparison and has cramped up seating. Though I wish it was a little more spacious, I did not really mind. Probably because it was purely the love for the food that had made me reach here a second time and that too in such a short span. Revisiting a restaurant within a month is not generally how i roll. Only and only due to lack of time. Since my family does not believe in the whole lets start off with ordering starters and enjoy and make conversation or eat slowly. We are a loud bunch and our starters comprises of Biryani and Tandoori Chicken on the side. So we directly began with ordering for the main course. I am very good with ordering off the menu, I think its a knack that I have developed. Its not full proof, but I get it right more than I get it wrong. But when with my family, I have to bite my nails because if it is not right they will not be soft about it. It can have damaging effects on your ego.

Okay, getting down to actually the ordering, with my heart in mouth, I placed order for Dahi Seekh Kabab, Amul Dahi Chicken & Butter Tawa Chicken. The Dahi Seekh Kabab, I had had before and as mentioned is serious heaven! It is seekh kababa with mint n dahi ka tadka, which is going to be my staple order form here. The Amul Dahi Chicken recommended by the server is again outstanding. The Butter Tawa Chicken, though not boneless is a gravy to devour. It is after a very long time that I have had such good and different in taste meal. I love Mughali & Punjabi Food. But you might be aware how all the gravies are similar in taste, only the main ingredients changing from Paneer to Mix Vegetable to Chicken to Fish. The gravy almost always has the same flavor and taste. Here, it was a refreshing change which is why as they say, woh zaika zubaan pe reh gaya ( The taste of the food still lingers on the tongue long after). Next we ordered for the Mutton Biryani. Now, here unfortunately I was a little disappointed.The biryani was good in flavour. However, the serving I was disappointed in. Even though we ordered a full, it seemed to be half. The mutton pieces were soft as tender as they should be but the serving size is very small. Its not even ample for one! The portions served of gravy and chicken were generous, but the rice portions not so much. Their naan is what we actually call Kamachi back in Bahrain. So, that was one another plus for them. I should be disappointed that they didn't serve naans but how I have missed Kamachi! Kamachi is a type of flat bread/Tandoori roti. Only it is not. I hope that makes sense. :P 

My personal recommendation would be skip the rice menu and the desserts as the serving sizes are really tiny and I felt a little cheated wit the money I was paying and stick to the gravies and naans around here. You will go home more than happy and not bloated. I stress on this point because even though I love eating outside, I feel bloated up way too soon (unfortunately!). Here, I didn't. 

I might have been a little late in discovering this place. You shouldn't be! Hence, Head here if you are looking for some real zaika in your meals! They happen to have other branches as well, just in case you wish to know. :D

WHAT WE HAD - Dahi Wale Seekh Kabab (Out of This World)

                         Amul Dahi Chicken (Today's Special, Yum quotient raised to 10

                           Tawa Butter Chicken ( I am Floored!)

                           Rumali Roti

                           Naan ( Good Old Kamachi, and Yum)

                           Mutton Biryani ( Yum but Quantity Disappointing)

                           Rabdi ( ordered 5, Yum, Quantity wise not worth it)

                           Caramel Custard (As Custard Always is! )

DAMAGES- Rs 1300/- Approx ( 3 main dishes, lots of rotis, 1 & 1/2 plate mutton Biryani, 1/2 Zeera Rice, 4 Rabdi & 2 Custard)

WHERE - Delhi Zaika Kurla Branch, 5/6, Next to Kamran Kalpana Theater, LBS Marg, Kurla West, MUMBAI