ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Restaurant Name: Delhi Zaika, Grant Road, Mumbai
Phone: +912223097995, +918828479090, +912223060918
Address: Shop No, 1/A, MS Ali Road, near Nishat Cinema, Chhota Sonapur, Siddharth Nagar, Grant Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400008 India
Time: 12:00 PM – 03:00 AM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,200
Cuisines: North Indian, Chinese, Mughlai, Seafood, BBQ, Rolls, Beverages
Facilities: Home Delivery, Table booking recommended, Indoor Seating, Valet Parking Available
Delhi Zaika, Grant Road, Mumbai: Moghlai
Take a look at the accompanying photograph. What you see is the charming, globetrotting, gourmet couple, Maya and Vikram Merchant, dining on their South Mumbai home’s beautiful plant-filled terrace. They are checking out the home-delivered food from Delhi Zaika. They do so along with another gourmet who cooks brilliantly and prefers to remain anonymous and behind the camera. All of them are sophisticated European fare aficionados as well as Japanese and Moghlai food buffs, too. Having eaten their way through the world, lived in London, Antwerp and now Mumbai, the Merchant foodie family even has a WhatsApp group called ‘Food federation’ with their NYC-based cyber-security specialist son Samir. They swap recipes and have added their cook Dinesh to the group, too. Maya is an artist extraordinaire on porcelain, Vikram is a diamond expert and is currently the Country Head, India for a leading global metals and mining company. They make time from their busy schedules to dine with great attention to detail and to wines, too. All three agreed that the food is tasty, generously portioned and well-priced.
From Jama Masjid To Bohri Mohalla
Kudos to Aamir Siddiqui who at age 21 converted his passion into his profession. He got his Matia Mohalla, Jama Masjid relatives to source the most talented cooks and set up Delhi Zaika twelve years ago. The restaurant was first established eleven years ago in Kurla and Bohri Mohalla (Pakmodia Street), and is now in five locations. Originally from Delhi, Aamir and his family brought in the Delhi cooks to cook generations of family recipes. They’ve added on a Chinese menu, too. But, my gourmet guests and I decided to stick to their main specialty cuisine, and we ordered in only the Delhi ka khaana.
Kunal Ke Khaane Mein Kya Hai?
Now, please take a look at this photograph (right)… of course, you recognise our lovable columnist, actor, director, political satirist, writer, director and TV host, Kunal Vijayakar. In this picture, he is busily, happily eating his favourite Delhi Zaika food. As a travelling judge for Times Now, we sniffed out hidden gems from Kashmir to Cochin, and once again, he has helped me sniff out this gem. Here’s what he says: “Delhi Zaika has rich, flavorful food. There is butter and cream in the kababs and the gravies are silken and smooth. But the pièce de résistance is the Raan. A leg of young lamb, just roasted or with a variety of gravy and flavour options.”
Our Verdict
Fragrant Noori masala from Jama Masjid, peeli mirchi marination, all used with great care according to the traditional recipes of the Siddiqui family, and huge portions — the mixed barbecue platter has a mix of 32 kababs. My foodie guests order in Raan Tandoori Biryani, Mutton Nihari, Chicken Delhi Zaika Special, Lachha Paratha, Dal Tadka, and Cream Tawa Paneer. Rabdi and custard for the sweet finale.
“Probably the best North Indian / Mughlai I’ve had in a long time,” says Vikram, adding, “The kebabs had the aroma of the grill and the fine ground and coarse ground kebabs were distinct.” Exquisitely spiced, not piquant but full of flavour. Raan Biryani was superb, Nihari excellent. And even the dal and breads were lovely. “Paired this meal with a South African Thelema vineyard Mountain Red that worked a treat,” concludes Vikram.
Delhi Zaika, Grant Road, Mumbai: Dil Se Dilli Ka Khanna
Need to order in food, even as late as midnight? Love tasty, robust Dilli ka Moghlai fare? Moderately priced? Look no further. Delhi Zaika is your mecca. Vegetarians be warned, you will be served only paneer options. Catering orders undertaken, too.
The Siddiqui family run Delhi Zaika has set up their own dotpae, and if you order online www.delhizaika.in, you will get a discount of 20 per cent, too. Order direct.
