Just when we were rejoicing Ping’s Bia Hoi opening up in our backyard, we heard Jamun had opened its doors too (in case you didn’t know, it’s the same folks behind both these restaurants). With its telltale purple signboard and flower adorned walls, it was ready to feed us palak patta chaat and mutton ghee roast and we, for one just couldn’t wait.
A picture-perfect balcao sets the tone for a lunch that we’d rather have indoors. One look at the intriguing chandelier made from a collection of garrafaos and a wall that’s full of memorabilia from all over India, and you know that the creators dig the little details. We got ourselves a table by the window for an unconventional farm to table meal and didn’t budge until we’re stuffed to the gills with a certain Raw Mango Fish Curry and a lovely Tamatar ki chaat.
Lunchtime conversations flowed easy thanks to Tamarind Margarita and Tefla Martini; both proving to be the perfect summer afternoon cocktails. The menu serves nostalgia with a generous dose of culinary innovation because as chef Picu would say, nothing that’s not utterly ‘feel good and comforting’ makes it to Jamun’s menu. So you’ll find ingredients from Goan kitchens fused with recipes from across Indian states or even both of these unadulterated, making up different parts of the food menu. In an adorable Jamun-type twist, the dishes also have a little story with them written for your reading pleasure; something nice to chew on as you wait for your endless courses.
The proof’s in the gravy, they say and Jamun gets a whole bunch of local favourites so right. Think of Stuffed Squids, Pork Chili Fry with Goan Chorizo, Crab Xec Xec and Prawn Pulao, for instance. All these creatures of the sea with their own seasonings and stories are stars in their own right.
If you’re an unabashed North Indian at heart, looking for dinner places that’ll love you, they’ve got some favourites from the Delhi menu too (the Inspired Dahi Bhalla from Old Delhi’s waiting with Jamun’s Butter Chicken). To polish off all the stew, they’ve got appams, parottas and everyone’s favourite, poie. Our vegetarian partners will be happy to find good ol’ bharta, kadhi and ker sangri koftas too! In all, it's an impressive Indian regional food spread and we can't think of any foodie who wouldn't want in.
