Dubai has no dearth of good Indian restaurants and its time to welcome a new addition to the Indian restaurant scene in the city- Purani Dilli. I had the pleasure of visiting the restaurant for a preview before it opened and came back impressed with the quality and flavor of the food.
Located in Four Points by Sheraton Downtown in the heart of Bur Dubai, Purani Dilli is an ode to the flavor-rich culinary tradition of Delhi, the birthplace of Mughlai cuisine in India.
The minute we entered the hotel lobby, we felt like we were in Purani Dilli/Old Delhi as we caught sight of the cycle rickshaw and a bangle seller. And as we entered the restaurant we were welcomed by the melodious live ghazal music.
The interiors of the restaurant is minimalistic yet elegant. Its a spacious venue with ample seating area. Loved the picture frames depicting the monuments and buzzing by-lanes of Delhi that adorned the walls of the restaurant.
Our dining experience started with a glass of their signature mocktail- Adraki Bahar. After that, we were offered Poppadum and condiments like pickle, chutney and salad.
Purani Dilli’s menu features most of the Mughlai classics like kebabs, biryani and nihari along with a good selection of soups, appetizers, mains and desserts. Both vegetarians and non vegetarians will not be disappointed. Being vegetarians, we tried only the veg dishes.
Some of the dishes we tried were:
Appetizers
We had Dahi Kebab, Chandni Chowk Ke Tikki and Paneer Tikka. All the three starters were distinctly and deliciously different. The crispy Dahi Kebab had a tangy flavor, the Chandni Chowki Ke Tikki was spicy but extremely delightful and the Paneer Tikka was grilled to perfection.
Mains
Best part of our dinner was the main course. The Dal Makhani had a lovely homemade flavor, the simple Palak Sabji was comforting. Mixed Veg Handi had a medley of veggies in a rich and exotic sauce. We liked the Paneer Noor Mahal too. The freshly made Naans went well with all the curries.
Tarkari Biryani or veg Biryani was fragrant, flavorful, spicy and incredibly tasty. The cool and creamy Raita made a perfect combination with the biryani.
Desserts
Compared to the starters and mains, the desserts were a bit disappointing. Chukander-e-Afroz or beetroot halwa was a bit too sweet where as the Shahi Tukra was lacking in flavor and taste.
Overall, we enjoyed our culinary experience at Purani Dilli. The food had authentic taste and flavor. The atmosphere, the music and the service was fabulous. Yes, I’ll definitely visit them again and try the other delicacies.
Phone: 050 211 6816
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