
Jaan: A Culinary Odyssey Through Indian Royalty
We embarked on a rather unexpected gastronomical journey, when a friend visiting from San Francisco said to me that he was keen to try Indian cuisine, which he insisted should boast of authentic Mughlai and strong Awadhi flavours. He was quick to add that the meal shouldn’t be too spicy, nor too oily and yet he insisted that while experiencing the food at the restaurant of my choice, he should be transported to a time, way back in history, where he would feel as if his Indian dinner was prepared in the royal kitchens of a Maharajah.
He also said that on his frequent visits to Mumbai over the years, he had already experienced a host of Indian restaurants, names of which he shared with me while requesting most sincerely that the restaurant I eventually decided upon, should not be one he had been to before. Since he happens to be one of my dearest friends and I strongly believe in the Indian phrase Atithi Devo Bhava (Your guest is your God), I decided to take on the challenge and set about researching for any reputable Indian restaurants I may have missed out on, on our many dine-out nights in Mumbai.
It was a full moon night and there was a very welcome nip in the air. We couldn’t wait to order and after spending time going through an impressive menu, we were served the Lasooni Jingha (garlic prawns). Giant, succulent, perfectly marinated pieces of delicious crustaceans with exciting bursts of balanced flavours started off our evening with our dear friends (we were a table of 6) all of who offered agreeable nods and rather generous thumbs ups to the first lot of starters we were served.