MOOMBAI & CO

What’s so special about the Irani-Parsi cafés in Mumbai anyway?

ot quite sure what Irani-Parsi cuisine in 1950s India would entail? New restaurant Moombai & Co is hoping to shed a little light on it. The latest addition to the H Hotel does authentic Irani-Parsi food in a café made to resemble the classic cafés of Mumbai, which once flourished in the city.

Walking into the cosy restaurant with its red brick walls, cavernous ceilings,

Ntattered Bollywood posters and elongatedstem fans hanging overhead felt warm and welcoming.

For the uninitiated, the multicoloured menu is quite tricky to navigate, but the friendly staff are on hand to help you out. The akuri cheese toast (Dhs25) immediately caught our attention. It’s a traditional yet simple Parsi speciality made of scrambled eggs with cheese and tasted as gooey as you’d hope. Meanwhile, the tareli kolmi (Dhs65), a spicy blend of ginger and garlic marinated prawns with curry leaves, burst with freshness and flavour.

For a proper Parsi delicacy, try the patra ni machi (Dhs85), fish marinated in green chutney and wrapped in banana leaves. The fish is perfectly tender while the delicate overtures from the chutney gently trickled through to add a soft sweetness to the dish. Even the sali marghi (Dhs80), a humble chicken curry with potatoes, was a party parade of flavours, equally spicy and textured.

To finish, the kulfi falooda (Dhs45) made of creamy reduced milk, vermicelli and rose syrup was a sweet way to end a fun meal.

If it’s food cooked with love in a causal environment that you’re after, then Moombai & Co will soon become a firm favourite.

H Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Sat to Wed 11am to midnight, Thur and Fri 11am to 1am. Tel: (04) 5018607. Taxi: H Hotel. moombai-co.com