Zaffran
(standing) Reshma Gangji
(sittting) Deepak Poojary, Lata Poojary, Riyaz Gangji and Nishant
Mahimtura at Zaffran, Malad
ZAFFRAN (Malad)
North indian
Go ahead! kill me, South Mumbaikers, but it just has to be said…North Mumbai is where the action is, it’s the place to be. “ Sobo is all about old money and sadly old people and young foggies ” says Nobo. I get energized and excited and learn something new with each round of mine to youthful North Mumbai. How about a rollercoaster ride
(literally) inside a gleaming mall in Malad? It is at this mall that I chance upon Zaffran and eat with some amazing guests (all from the suburbs ofcourse.)
The well known dapper designer couple Riyaz and Reshma Gangji are not such well-known gourmets. You may know about their Libas men and women, shoe and lifestyle product lines that are setting up internationally
too, but lesser known is that Riyaz cooks awesome seafood, while Nishant Mahimtura, the chairman’s omlettes (with winter garlic and French bread) are legendary. It was while studying in America that he fell in love with cooking. All three have mindblowing food at their homes and constantly travel to eat at world gourmet capitals. Yes! They enjoy Zaffran and will return.
It’s the same reaction from my readers who I meet for the first time… the creative and fun Deepak Poojary a tattoo artist at his studio in partnership at Studio 62 in Goregaön and his charmng sister Lata
Poojary (just back from her honeymoon) of Jardine Lloyd Thompson India. Both love to travel and experiment with cuisines, Lata cooks brilliantly too.
AMBIANCE
Soaring ceilings, sweeping stone arches reminiscent of the Moghuls… Could this really be the branch of the same popular and hugely loved North Indian Zaffran which set up in Crawford market?
Happily, Zaffran has been setting many branches in the Northern suburbs and getting more stylish and grandiose while still keeping its price points in check.
FOOD
A new look ( new logo embellished on the cutlery and tableware) but the same menu (more or less) While some dishes are missing (Lamb Barley Meatball Shorba,) some are added on ( Pink Salmon Tikkas)
But, by and large it’s the same succulent Raan, meltingly soft galauti kabab, malasa rich handi gosht, flavorsome nihari, which delight and which you must try.
Plenty has been added on for vegetarians: delightful tangy sweet warm aloo tuk chaat is a must try as is the melt in the mouth vegetarian version of the popular Galouti Kabab. Okayish Achari Paneer . It’s the signature Paneer Makhanwala with its luscious tomato and kasoori methi which is worth trying as is its non vegetarian chicken version.
Though the gosht biryani doesn’t come upto par, the cheese filled Lucknowi Seekh Kebabs , Nihari Gosht are unerringly cooked. Must end with the moderately priced (Rs 95-120) and superlative
Indian desserts. Our favorites? Channa Payesh, Zaffrani phirni and kulfi payesh.
MY POINT
Tucked inside the sprawling, gleaming, noisy, bustling Infinity mall is a plus point, should you have be in a shopping-browsing mode. But otherwise it can be a bit off putting to brave your way through it.
However once you get to the restaurant,it’s a serene Moghul oasis. The enterprising Chef Chetan Sethi and Munib Birya ensure that their robustly spiced North Indian fare is light on your wallet (Rs 1000 for a meal for two) and delights your palate. Zaffran zindabad!
Ground Floor, Infinity Mall, Malad Contact 64502828 /64502929 Meal for two Rs 1,000
RATING
FOOD 3.5
SERVICE 3.5
DÉCOR 3.5
FOODLINE
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