This month I’ve had the pleasure of lunching with not one, but two prominent personalities from the world of Indian fine dining! I met Chef Kunal Kapur for a second time at Patiala (Downtown Dubai), and got introduced to Michelin Star Chef Vikas Khanna at Junoon (Shangri-La, Dubai).
It has been an absolute honor lunching with these big names in the Indian culinary industry, and getting to know about their phenomenal career growth and enticing dishes firsthand.
I had a candid chat with Chef Kunal Kapur on his journey into ‘chefdom’ a few months ago, and you can read all about him by clicking here.
What’s Cooking at Patiala?
The Bollywood Brunch: Enjoy a true Desi party at Patiala by Kunal Kapur!
Their latest Bollywood-inspired Saturday brunch features an endless array of exotic Indian cuisine by the celebrity chef himself, flowing drinks and non-stop music. With the rhythm of a true Desi party filling the restaurant, this is a Saturday brunch to remember!
From succulent meats served fresh from the grill to traditional indulgent Biryani, the dishes at Patiala by Kunal Kapur will just keep coming, as the resident DJ spins a host of energetic Bollywood tunes.
Highlights: I had the pleasure of trying out Patiala’s Bollywood Brunch on its launch date of Saturday 9th April. Here is a look at some of my favorites from this set menu:
Pricing: From AED 250 with soft beverages and AED 350 with house beverages.
Timing: Every Saturday between 12 noon to 4 pm.
Location: Patiala by Kunal Kapur, 1st Floor – Souk Al Bahar.
Find Out More: Follow @PatialaDubai on social media, or call +971 4 4519151 to make a reservation.
Michelin Star Chef Vikas Khanna has a celebrity following; he’s whipped up his incredible concoctions for the likes of President Obama and the Pope, and is now offering a taste of his masterpieces to Dubai diners. Chef Vikas was here in Dubai to promote Junoon’s latest brunch. Suave and absolutely charming, Chef Vikas mingled with guests and obliged many a fan to camera clicks and selfies.
What’s Cooking at Junoon?
An Updated Set Menu: I have had the pleasure of dining at Junoon in the past (click here for details). Junoon Dubai has an elaborate set menu that is great for getting a taste of the restaurant’s most popular dishes.
Chef Vikas Khanna has revised the menu, and added brand new enticing dishes that are bound to have you coming back for more!
Highlights:
The highlight of my brunch at Junoon was their ‘Thandai’ dessert. Specifically created for Holi, the Indian festival of colours, this fragile glucose fondant encasing has been skillfully created using the very same techniques used for blown-glass art. The streaks of colours, so eminent of the Holi festival, are created using fruit inks. Crack into the dome, and in lies a very decadent filling flavored to taste like the traditional ‘Thandai’ served for Holi. One serving is good enough for two, but I’d rather not share this one!
Pricing: Junoon’s Vegetarian Set Menu costs AED 220 per person, and AED 360 inclusive of wine pairing. For the non-vegetarian option, the set menu costs AED 270 per person, and AED 410 with wine pairing.
Timing: The set menu is available throughout the week, both for lunch and dinner.
Location: Junoon is located on the 2nd Floor of Shangri La hotel (Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai).
Find Out More: Drop Junoon Dubai an email on infodubai@junoonrestaurants.com or call 04 405 2717.
The Tezzy Files 