Jalpaan Dining Saga

Critic´s Review

• Food: 3 / 5
• Service: 3.5 / 5
• Decor: 3.5 / 5

-By Suresh Hinduja

Decor

Glitzy and opulent interiors give a rich look to this restaurant which has a black granite floor with bottom lit onyx sections. A sweeping black glass ceiling with pin lights adds an astral effect. Cascading water flows out of clay pots on a small fountain. Another wall features a low stage which is used by a group of musicians and a ghazal singer on Mondays and Fridays. Mocktails are served out of a small bar, which has an extensive range of monin flavours. Jalpaan is a 140-seater restaurant with a separate banquet hall on another floor which serves as the perfect venue for parties.

Food

The menu features mostly North Indian, some Italian and a few Mexican favourites. Surprise! We saw fondue being served and ordered one, it came with focaccia croutons and potato wedges. Not bad at all, though the addition of wine would have helped, but this is a vegetarian and non-alcohol place. Our teenaged companion loved the supreme veg pizza with toppings of mushrooms, baby corn, capsicum, onions, tomato and olives. The Jalpaan platter had a medley of appetisers like makai(corn) seekh kebabs, peas and raisin tikkis, tiny rotis topped with paneer and sesame encrusted baby corn which was delicious. We recommend the paneer khurcharan with just the perfect hint of mustard oil and vegetable chop masala served in creamy spinach and methi greens puree. 'Jantar Mantar' turned out to be a nice preparation of mixed vegetables in a thick gravy with corn niblets and pomegranate arils. Do try the potli biryani served in a puri shell and wonder howthey make it. The breads are perfect, especially the makai di roti and aloo anardana kulcha. Skip the moong dal halwa and go for the unique gulkand rasmalai.

Service

Table setting is elegant with ethnic style EPNS thalis, a base for the plates which follow. Strategically placed touch screens are mounted on the walls; this helps the waiters to place orders in real time and synchronise with the kitchen staff.

Plus and Minus

Jalpaan is the perfect family place and the menu has many dishes which are very popular. Featuring candlelight dinners and ghazal music on Mondays and Fridays makes this place a unique destination. Weekends can be a bit noisy.