Mumbai, September 2016: How does one define Indian food? How different can Indian food be from the regular fare that most Indian restaurants serve? Difficult to answer both, till you visit Neel Indian Kitchen + Bar. Welcome to Indian Food in its simple, authentic and ethnic best!
Not Punjabi, Not North Indian, Not Mughlai – a simple, true journey through the length, breadth and immense diversity in culture and cuisine of this vast colourful land called India.
Carving its niche with a new concept- of an Indian all-day dining cafe, Neel- Indian Kitchen + Bar, opens its doors at Powai, Mumbai, early this September. A welcoming casual space, its interior reflects a contemporary ethos and a new chapter in Indian cuisine. The space is built with simple clean minimalistic lines that reflect an international design aesthetic while the accents and details bring in an Indian touch. This dichotomy is expressed in different aspects of the space. The walls are accentuated with devnagari type and with custom made ceramic plates by an NGO – Om Creations. The bar features an array of handpicked accents that adds to the charm of the interior.
The Indian Kitchen: The menu is an amalgamation of a wide range of travels and perfecting certain memory-filled traditional recipes from across regions in India, ranging from the popular street foods of Kolkata & Rajasthan, to pure Kashmiri & Konkani fare. These recipes involve reviving age-old, often forgotten spice blends like lazzat e taam, Baristha masala and using ethnic ingredients such Khas ka jadh, dagad ka phool, pan ka jadh, kebab chini, mulhatti, chandan! The menu includes some stand-out Signature Dishes like the Bharwan khumb, stuffed mushrooms – Cheddar cheese and spinach stuffed mushrooms, roasted in a tandoor and Konkani Jhinga, Skillet Grilled prawns tossed with fresh coriander and ethnic Konkani spices, to Tamda Rassa, succulent mutton botis slow cooked in a traditional Kohlapuri sauce and Pomfret Pollichathu , fresh pomfret filets rubbed with a spicy paste of shallots, chillies, pepper and curry leaves, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed to perfection! The menu also has a dish named directly after its Master Chef curator – Chef Mukhtar, called Raan Mukhtar – to be ordered a day in advance. This menu is all about telling stories of ancient traditions through the voice of a contemporary Indian kitchen!
Mr. Anurag Katriar, CEO & Executive Director, deGustibus Hospitality, tells us more about this brand new concept, “After significant deliberations, we at deGustibus, have chosen the casual dining segment as our primary vehicle for growth. We already have a strong presence in western cuisine in this segment with our brand Indigo Deli; Neel Indian Kitchen + Bar is our foray into this segment with Indian Food. We have hand-picked culinary gems from various parts of India and put them together on a single gastronomic platform. An all-day diner with an eclectic bar, it celebrates true Indian food amidst a contemporary setting. We shall continue to remain true to our basic hospitality credo of “Good Food-Served well”. This philosophy has served us well since our inception and we have no doubts that it will continue to do so with this launch.
We are confident that just like Indigo Deli, Neel Indian Kitchen + Bar will also emerge as a trendsetter in its chosen segment and will pave way for more such all-day diners in the Indian food segment to open in the years to come”
The restaurant also houses a fully stocked bar with an extremely interesting cocktail list using authentic Indian ingredients, such as the Coastal Ride – Sol Kadhi spiked with vodka served in a margarita glass with a cumin rim or the Mango & Pink Peppercorn Daiquiri. This is perfectly coupled with delicious bar snacks which have been handcrafted by the Master Chef himself. On the launch Chef Mukhtar says, “Coming from the Qureshi family, I’ve always been more proficient in Awadhi & Dumpukht cuisine, however, with this concept – I’ve travelled across the country through known & unknown parts to compile a menu that delves through our diverse culture and traditions. As a country we have a very rich food heritage and this menu will help us showcase the same with a hint of nostalgia”
Located in the heart of Powai, Neel – Indian Kitchen + Bar is an ideal destination for a delicious meal at any time of day. Whether it’s a leisurely family lunch, an evening of drinks and nibbles with friends, a romantic dinner with your partner or just a yummy chai & chaat when those hunger pangs call at 5 pm, this is the menu you should look to – for an experience of delicious India on your plate.
Restaurant: Neel, Indian Kitchen + Bar
Open To Guest: 14th September 2016
Time: 12 noon to 12.30 am
Pricing: INR 700-800 ++ (Without alcohol)
Address: 101, First Floor, Sentinel Building, Adi Sankaracharya Marg, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai -76
For Reservations Call: 02249455555 / 7506425005