Reshmi, tangdi, seekh, shammi, tandoori – Mumbai’s Kebab Korner returns with succulent old favourites and more

Childhood memories are hard to forget…. so, when an old favourite, the eatery, Kebab Corner, at the revamped Hotel Intercontinental (the erstwhile Natraj Hotel), threw open its doors a few weeks ago, it was time to go and check it out. Like several of my generation, I had grown up driving past the hotel (in its old avatar) inhaling the tangy, oriental smells emerging from the restaurant (again in its old avatar) on the ground floor. So, diehard foodie that I am, I did not need much prodding to visit the old flame, albeit in a new reincarnation.

As the sunlight filters in through the crystal clear glass, we sip slowly on the chillers, served in long glasses. Being a working day, we eschew the hard drinks and settle for soft coolers. The Masalewale aam ka panna, an iced green mango thirst quencher, enhanced by a sweet ’n’ spicy masala, is just the right beginning to a long leisurely repast.

Two platters of succulent kebabs follow (the vegetarian carefully segregated from the non-vegetarian offerings for the diehard veggie in our midst) – tastefully laid out and pleasing on the palate. Familiar fare – Murgh Afghani, Murgh malai, Murgh tikka, (chicken marinated in different spices), Fish tikka, Seekh kebab (a lamb preparation) and Paneer Kashmiri seekh, Spiced tawa masala gobhi and Tandoori achari broccoli – transforms elegantly into designer dishes. Almost a mini meal in themselves.

- S.J.S.

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