The Yellow Chilli, Viviana Mall, Thane North Indian Restaurant

Restaurant: The Yellow Chilli, Viviana Mall, Thane
Phone: 022 61701439, 022 61701440
Address: 2nd Floor, Viviana Mall, Eastern Express Highway, Majiwada, Thane West, Maharashtra India
Time: 12 Noon to 3:30 PM, 7 PM to 11:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,700
Cuisines: North Indian, Seafood
Facilities: Home Delivery, Full Bar Available, Buffet, Live Sports Screening, Valet Parking Available, Wallet Accepted

Balle Balle! From Ludhiana to Los Angeles, Mumbai to Muscat… The Yellow Chilli is the world’s largest Indian restaurant chain. And we are lunching at the legendary Sanjeev Kapoor’s The Yellow Chilli’s Thane branch. We are raising a toast with a “Dahi Goli Shot” and a mojito (see photo)! On the table is a baraat of dishes from all over India. Leading that is the super comfort food, the brand India Khichdi, which made it into the Guinness World Records. My lunch companions, Dubai based finance manager Leena Furtado (a regular at Dubai’s The Yellow Chilli), bubbly Priyanka Furtado enjoy it thoroughly and we will all return.

Decor:

Brightly lit and packed. Go up Viviana Mall’s escalators to the second floor and into the pleasantly appointed, well-lit restaurant with a bar. Be greeted by a photo of Sanjeev Kapoor and a handsome all colour menu with an intro about how this restaurant was born in 2001 when the maestro tasted the yellow chilli in Meerut.

Food:

Three cheers for three notable points: authentic North Indian dishes not regularly served in restaurants (velvety and perfectly spiced Dahi Pakodi Kadhi, Lalla Mussa Dal and Rajma), comfort food (the mellow, nourishing khichdi) as well as dishes with a modern spin (Shaam Savera, paneer and spinach roulades in creamy tomato based gravy). Respect for the season (a special summer menu with delicious aam ras puri, et al). The well-priced Maharaja set menu is worth a try. From the delicious, chilled Dahi Wada served in a shot glass with a dollop of tangy chutney, Aloo Chaat to the Gulkand Gulab Jamun, which packs a sweet juicy wallop. Go for them.

The Yellow Chilli, Viviana Mall, Thane: Minus Points

Slow service. No tea or coffee.

Overcooked Kadai Prawns, ditto for the Tomato Fish of the set menu. Though the mutton pieces of the Nalli Nihari were succulent, the gravy was overbearing. Butter Chicken, though creamy, could do with more kasuri methi and the Mushroom Shabname-Moti with less cheese. Desserts did not match up to the main meal, be it the Mango Kulfi or Brownie.

The Yellow Chilli, Viviana Mall, Thane: My Point

As is my policy, I made it a point to go unannounced and do a surprise check (thankfully, wasn’t recognized as we tasted our way through the menu and paid the full bill). I’ve known Padma Shri awardee, author, serial entrepreneur and founder of a TV channel, the legendary Sanjeev Kapoor for decades.

But, frankly, I did not expect a chain restaurant in a mall to serve up such disciplined cooking at such moderate price points. His take on Indian food is simple, varied and nimble — a fine example of his laudable pragmatism. Authentic flavors leap up from the dishes and give a warm comforting jhappi (Punjabi word for hug). Oye! Balle balle!