Kebabs to beat the monsoon blues

With the rains simply refusing to say goodbye, many a Mumbaikar has been feeling under the weather. On the day that we pay a visit to Koyla to try out their all-new menu, we too are sniffly and red-nosed. Hoping to improve the mood, we step into the restaurant and settle down at one of the plush, elegant tables in the indoor section.

To ward off the chill, we order some chamomile tea (Rs 100). The tea, with its mild fragrance, is refreshing and soothing to the throat. While still sipping, we are served with Chicken Nimbu Dhaniya Shorba (Rs 180). A perfect balance of tangy and salty, with just a hint of creaminess, the shorba is another dish that the throat appreciates as much as the palate. When appetisers are brought around, we are able enough to dig in, with gusto. While the Koyla’s Sizzling Chicken Platter (Rs 795) is delicious, with the pudina kebab standing out with its unique, minty taste, it is the Nawabi Mushroom Tikka (Rs 300) — spicy mushrooms stuffed with melted cheese — that really hits the spot. The Nawabi Rawas Tikka (Rs 600), on the other hand, is a bit of a disappointment, with the spices overpowering the delicate texture of the fish.

Since we’re feeling much better by now, we decide to brave a few sips of a mocktail while waiting for the main course. Of course, the Berry Blast (Rs 170), with its perfect balance of strawberries and blueberries, that keeps it from becoming too sweet, demands more than a few sips. We decide to indulge ourselves as the main course arrives.

Typical to Punjabi cuisine, the dishes are rich and packed with flavour. The Paneer Lazeez (Rs 480) is on the lighter side and the cashews in the gravy create a slightly crumbly texture. It is the Rogan Josh (Rs 700) that really steals the show. The spices permeate the entire meat, which is perfectly cooked and melts in the mouth. The gravy is slightly smoky and has a mild sweetness, which counteracts the spice, and we sop it up with soft, chewy naan (Rs 70).

Pleasantly full now, we decide to finish up with some Fresh Rabdi (Rs170). We’re not disappointed and the sweet milky dessert with a hint of cinnamon, marks the perfect end to the meal. As we step back out into the rains, we realise that the new menu at Koyla is something we would recommend to chase away the monsoon blues. Rating: *** Meal for two: Rs 1,700 Koyla,Opposite Chai Coffi, J.P.Road, Aram Nagar, Versova, Andheri West