Dishoom and we are lovestruck (by the Indian food)



‘Dishoom’ is the sound that a gun makes when fired, and is synonymous with hindi films from the 70s which tried to emulate the atmosphere of Westerns. It is also very symbolic of Bollywood, hence also symbolic of Bombay, or Mumbai as it is called now, and Mumbai is where the buck stops as this restaurant throws in some Bombay specialities on top of traditional Indian fare (or what passes off as Indian in these parts).

When you reach Dishoom you immediately notice the queues, no matter the time of the day. After a patient wait of approximately 10-15 minutes, you are ushered into the restaurant. While waiting, you are offered some Indian roadside tea or lemonade (or nimbu pani as is known in India, made with limes instead of lemons). The interiors struck me as trying to achieve too much. It is a modern day bar type layout with patches of Indian furniture, wall hangings and posters reminiscent of a bygone colonial era. The floor space is big, so different sections have been given names, but you wouldn’t notice the difference as far as décor is concerned. The general vibe is of a British pub, with its dim lighting and soft music, and waiters with walkie-talkies scurrying about trying to make it all work. Too busy! Over and above that these waiters with their high tech gadgets strapped to their torso seem to read your mind often appear right behind you before you have got your thoughts together, which might spook you out if you are expecting a relaxed time after a hard day.

Bhelpuri was delicious (red chutney was missing though)

Food


 Nonetheless if you can ignore the poor lighting, spooky waiters and a very busy décor, you are in for a treat. And treat it was when I went there with my friends. All the dishes we ordered tasted unique, and I am almost obliged to say, authentic. The bhelpuri was sweet, the tarka daal (named ‘black house daal’) was buttery. The chicken ruby and matter paneer didn’t seem like they came from the same gravy pot, and the roomali roti was a real ‘roomal’ (translates as ‘hankerchief’) to wipe off all the delicious gravy. I also need to mention the virgin bombay colada. Wasn’t sure of where to put this on my food and drink spectrum but it seemed a tad contrived, although very refreshing. It was a virgin pina colada, with the coconut cream adding the exotic Indian touch, and “a little coriander, chai syrup, lime juice” were almost imperceptible. The garnishing with paan masala which is usually had after a meal, was a joke.

Virgin bombay colada

All said and done, the restaurant isn’t cheap either.

*sighs*

But it’s still worth at least one visit, if not for anything else, then just for the sheer novelty. But for just one visit, I will highly recommend it.

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