In the heart of confusion!

Visit Cafe Mailoo only if you wish to settle for mediocre Parsi cuisine or Indian khana from a kitchen that needs to look at getting their basics right

Visit Cafe Mailoo only if you wish to settle for mediocre Parsi cuisine or Indian khana from a kitchen that needs to look at getting their basics right

It's not every day that you have you hear of a restaurant that promises delicious Chicken/Mutton Dhansak and assures you of authentic Parsi specialties (as mentioned in bold letters on their blackboard outside). Only later one finds out, that any self-respecting Parsi worth his/her dhansak would scoff at the mere mention of Cafe Mailoo.

Mutton Dhansak. pics for representation only

With great enthusiasm, we step into Cafe Mailoo but were shocked, instead to find a barebones bar filled with a variety of seedy looking men. Thankfully, we are told that there is a "family" room upstairs. Two flights up, an amusing label announces that there is a "Pag" system in place at the family room. (Apparently, they only serve drinks by the peg there; overlook the spelling error).

Upstairs, the decor includes Rajasthani dolls and handicrafts, while the menu promptly comes to us with Indian, Continental and Chinese food. We were, to put it mildly, thoroughly confused. On further inquiry about the advertised Parsi cuisine, we were told it's only offered on certain days. Then,u00a0 as an afterthought, we were told that it is available throughout the week. On further interrogation, the waiter told us that the Chinese was their best cuisine. Help!

Valiantly expecting the unexpected, we placed our orders (that took a good 25 minutes to arrive). We discovered however, that through subtle clues mixed into the food, how Mailoo wouldn't exactly earn a high rating.

The Mutton Dhansak (Rs 255) a popular Parsi dish is a succulent mix of dal and meat. It can be made with either lamb or mutton and it is widely know that lamb is better. Cafe Mailoo chose mutton (First clue). The dish, served with brown rice (Rs 120), wasn't a patch on excellent Dhansak available in most Parsi households. The dal-vegetable-mutton paste was mild and slightly tangy, in a not-so-good-way. Avoidable.

The Mutton Rogan Josh (Rs 175) was next. This aromatic curry dish hails from Kashmir. Rogan means oil in Persian, while josh means heat, hot, boiling, or passionate. This dish was without heat and passion. There is only one way of making Rogan Josh and that is without 'marination' (Second Clue) garam masala, onions and cream. Once these ingredients were included, it was just another mutton curry.

The Tangdi Kabab (Rs 180) fortunately proved to be the saving grace of the evening. These chicken drumsticks marinated in spices and grilled to perfection were tangy, spicy and juicy. Served hot with sliced onions and pieces of lemon to squeeze over, this dish won us over.

We also ordered Cheese Naan (Rs 60) and Romali Roti (Rs 30) to go with it. Let's just say, we might not find softer, better rotis in Jail. (Third Clue) The Prawn Salt and Pepper (Rs 185) a spice-crusted stir-fried prawn delicacy usually makes for a crisp Asian-style slaw for an easy supper. The Cafe Mailoo version was typically desi-Chinese, coriander flavour enriched and not crunchy at all.

For drinks, the Blue Lagoon (Rs 200) was an unappetising mix of vodka and lemonade. I couldn't tell what the Blue Curacao has been replaced with. In all probability it was an essence of some sort. Clearly, this is the place for on-the-rocks, hard liquor (Final Clue). Among mocktails, the Shirley Temple (Rs 100) made with two parts ginger ale, one part Sprite and a dash of orange proved a better bet than the cocktail.

At 7 Pratik Avenue, near Shiv Sagar, Nehru Road, Santacruz Airport, Vile Parle (E). Call 26182092/ 26142047.
Cafe Mailoo didn't know we were the there. The Guideu00a0reviews anonymously and pays for meals.