Jodhpur Royal Dining is one of my favorite places for Indian fine-dining in the city, and they have really upped their game this holy month with a very special Iftar menu.
The menu is divided into Veg and Non-Veg options, and consists of pre-starters, starters, main-courses, sides and desserts.
Starting off the magical culinary journey, diners get to break their fast with a dramatic selection of stuffed dates.
The classic Rooh Hafza rose syrup drink that is so typical on the Iftar tables of the Indian subcontinent gets a fine-dining facelift as the Faluda Badaam Milk. The base of the drink is almond milk, and the rose flavoring makes it altogether a very regal sip.
They also have a large selection of other mocktails to whet the appetite.
And ofcourse we were served the Jodhpur signature, the complimentary Macaroon Chaat. These French macaroons are stuffed with a tangy-sweet cream mixture, a very clever take on Indian fusion cuisine.
Next came the chaat trolley. With all the pomp and pizzaz of molecular gastronomy, we were served the chef’s brand new concoction, the ‘Gul Gul ke Chaat’. This features lentil dumplings coated in a crispy vermicelli nest that is topped with a tangy-sweet mix of chutneys and yogurt. The outer crisp nest worked very well with the tangy-sweet goodness, but I found the inner dumpling was not as tasty in its ultra cold form.
For the hot starters, our table was brimming with a number of specialties. There was the ‘Curd ke Kebab’, a cold kebab made of yogurt and drizzled with sweet mango chutney, the ‘Paneer Barrels’, coated with spinach and served with pineapple chutney, a ‘Portobello Mushroom Poha’ which was a clever take on Italian risotto using Indian poha, and my favorite, the very Mughlai-style ‘Taftan e’ Beef’, traditional sweet bread topped with slow-cooked pulled beef that has been decadently spiced to perfection.
We also tried the ‘Chicken Creamy Barbeque’, a skewered chicken kebab that was swirled with a crisp outer crust. The kebab was deliciously moist, soft and flavorful although the outer swirl (which looked very pretty in the presentation) was a bit of a hindrance.
If you are a seafood lover, the ‘Tempura Fried Prawn with Honey and Lemon’ is a a must-try. This hot starter features a generously large, juicy battered prawn that has been marinated in a decadent sauce, and the presentation is a work of art.
From the main-course, I was divided on favorite. I am a huge fan of Lamb Haleem, the slow-cooked meat with lentils and barley. It is a Ramadan classic, and the one at Jodhpur is absolutely divine. The texture is thick and meaty, and the aromatic spices get you hungry despite the long list of starters we had just indulged in earlier.
My other favorite was the Chicken Dum Phukt, a succulently soft serving of chicken that has been slow-cooked with cream and cheese. The gravy is decadently thick and calorie-laden, and we scooped up generous portions with the assorted fresh breads from the bread basket.
If you are a rice fan, Jodhpur’s aromatic Chicken Biryani will hit the right spot, and is yet another great way to polish off all these decadent curries.
Given we are meat lovers, I didn’t think we would like anything just as much from the seafood option. However, the very innovative Seabass Mint Risotto is an absolute must-try. The flavor combinations in this dish are spectacular, and I love how the texture is so risotto, yet the flavors so Indian.
Filled to the brim, we decided to share one dessert between the three of us. we went for the ‘Gulab Jamun, Mango Mousse, Gulkand Ice-cream’. The warm gulab jamun goes so deliciously well with the ice-cold mousse and ice-cream, and I loved the taste of fresh mango in the mousse.
Overall, Jodhpur Royal Dining really lives up to their ‘royal dining’ status. The Iftar menu here is fit for a Maharaja, the interiors perfectly match the theme with its timeless palatial elegance, and the service here is excellent. I also like the fact that, unlike many Iftars around the city, you don’t have to walk around the buffet counters here. Everything is served fresh and hot at the table.
Go on, spoil yourself this Ramadan and book a table at Jodhpur Royal Dining.
Address: RODA Al Murooj, Al Saada Street, Opp.Dubai Mall، Downtown Dubai
Timings: Sunset till late
Rates per person: AED 199
Phone: 04 355 9846
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