Golconda Bowl - 4.0

So this is not quite a 4.0 but not quite a 3.5 either. 
I would have put up a picture of the restaurant but I didn't want to instantly turn you off because the food is worth a try. The picture above however sums up the ambiance well. Dark with weird red lighting! Probably one of the worst looking places I have been to recently, especially in funky HKV where everyone seems to be playing with interesting ideas of aesthetics.  Looks like one of those shady bars in some obscure market of Delhi where old men go to drink, talk loudly and burp a lot.
BUT the food was surprisingly good. And despite having to shush my mind that nagged me to leave I'm glad I stayed. I really hope they do something about the lighting. Maybe just flick the lights on and let the fuse die out on the red bulbs... ?
On another note the service was great. They waiters were able to answer my gazillion questions and the manager came to check on us a few times. Strapped with smiles et all.


The reason I stayed: (Apologies for the blurred pictures - It was DARK)

• Tawa Fish - We were given this complementary to try because they were out of something else we ordered. Extra points. Quite tangy. Fish was soft without any unpleasant odours. Good.

•  Patthar Ka Gosht - "Highly Recommended by the Chef" read the menu. Well we'll just have to try it then won't we! Very glad I did. This meat is apparently cooked on a hot stone over a charcoal flame. The meat was beautifully tender. Quite richly spiced.

• Kacchey Gosht ki Biryani  - To put it simply kacchey Gosht ki biryani is cooked with layers of rice and raw meat, rather than cooked meat that traditional biryani uses. So on my first visit this biryani was rather disappointing. On my second visit I have to say it was a lot better. And the exact opposite of the first where the rice was not fragrant or flavourful. In fact this time my only complaint was that maybe there was bit too much saffron and kewara water. Im all for the rich aromas of these two ingredients, but being as powerful as they are I also believe in a little restraint, which they clearly did not show. Nevertheless worth ordering for sure. Cant say much for the accompaniments as I did not try them a second time around but from the first time the raita was whatever. And the Mirch ka Salan that I almost ordered separately was an even bigger tasteless disappointment.

•  Gosht Dalcha - Meat cooked with lentils and summer gourd. I personally really enjoyed this. Maybe because I love dal, however random that sounds! It wasn't over bearing. Quite simple. But tasty and fulfilling.

•  Bagara Baigan - Another one of those ""Highly Recommended by the Chef" dishes. The sauce was comprised of toasted spices, peanuts, sesame and dry coconut. The warm nuttiness was comforting. I absolutely loved this dish. And I "Highly Recommend" it too.

• Lagan Ka Keema - One of my favourite dishes. Its just delicious. I could go there just to eat this keema! Must must try...!

 

• Butter Naan and Roti - Butter naan wasn't bad but the roti was too dry. That's all.

• Murg Haleem - Haleem is meat cooked with wheat and lentils for hours till it could happily be served at a Old Folks Home. No bones, just a yummy meaty mash! Normally, I prefer mutton haleem, but with the amount of red meat on our table already we decided to give our hearts a fighting chance. Ok a struggling chance. Haleem is accompanied by thin sliced ginger, green chillies, fried onions, lemon, mint and coriander. Which ideally should be on the side for you to add to your liking. Here they did the work for us and may have squeezed a tad too much lemon, but regardless it was really quite enjoyable. I should also add that the haleem is not on the everyday menu but a special. So keep a look out.

•  Double Ka Meetha - We had a choice between this or Khubani Ka Meetha, which are dried apricots that are plumped up again as they are cooked in sugar syrup. That dish has a lot of die hard fans but I am not one of them. So I settled for a greater evil. Fried bread, soaked in sugar syrup and was it cream or milk? I know it does sound quite nauseating but I had to try it. You may not want to read any further... We ordered a second one. It was good!! I guess you cold call it an Indian bread pudding. Don't knock it till you've tried it.

•  Paan and an assortment of sauf (aniseed) and mishri (big chunky refined sugar) - Complimentary with the bill. But then again nothing really feels complimentary when handed with the bill does it?

Budget: Mid Range - Mains from Rs.300 to Rs.475