Peninsula, The Peninsula Grand Hotel, Saki Naka, Mumbai

It was a sultry afternoon when my sister and I were heading towards Peninsula Grand Hotel in Saki Naka as one of my sister’s best friends is going abroad for higher studies and here she had some conference to attend, thus making this afternoon a sort of farewell meet for her & my sister :) We decided to make it a lunch date at Peninsula restaurant here, a grand experience indeed! 

Having been to Peninsula chain of restaurants in Sion and loved them, we had high hopes from Peninsula Grand and it did not disappoint one bit. The ambiance is regal, spelling royalty in everything from chandeliers to hosiery to cutlery and service is par excellence when it comes to being attentive, polite and helpful. The spacious Peninsula Fine Dining restaurant is located at 1st first floor and is like an oasis of peace & calmness replete with old-world charm amidst the busy Saki Naki junction. Anybody who has ever been to this area knows what a chaotic place this is. I suggest, just pop in this place and leave all your worries behind :) Do check out their private room, perfect place to celebrate a birthday party or any such special occasion at very nominal charges. At night,I think they have musical shows/gazal kind of programs here for which the stage is permanently set. Classy to the hilt.

Menu has a variety of Veg & Non-Veg Indian and Oriental (and some Italian) dishes which makes it very difficult to choose. Prices are quite reasonable for the 4 Star ambiance, service, quality and quantity of dishes. 2 people with heavy appetites ordering drinks, starters, main courses and desserts will fill up to the brim within Rs. 2300- 2500 and maybe will have to get some food doggy packed too, just like we had to! 

We started off with refreshing Thandai and Green Apple Shikanji drinks. Both are must-have. Absolutely authentic and instantly cooling, these were just a sign of good times to come. Also, pretty filling by themselves so order carefully as the portions are veryyyyyy good for every dish. We were confused on which starters to order, so ordered for a Veg Platter with choicest delicacies of Tandoori Mushrooms, Potatoes, Cauliflowers, Hara Bhara Kebab, Naram Dil Paneer Kebab served with a brilliant Yogurt-Mint chutney which complimented it very well. Hara Bhara Kebab had a bit too much Elaichi but apart from that, everything else was perfect. Especially recommended are Naram Dil Paneer Kebab which felt like velvet/ silk on tongue :) Being a mushrooms lover, I absolutely adored the mushrooms too. Again, a light eater would simply get full in this one platter itself, thank God we were famished this afternoon :D 

For main course, we had Subzi Dobara and Mughlai Kofta with a Roti Basket and Vegetarian Biryani. Portions were so good that we couldn’t finish it despite being hulk-level-hungry. Also loved the accompanying Yogurt dip and sweet pickles they serve. Subzi Dobara is the signature dish with finely chopped veggies in mildly spicy Red PLUS mildly rich & smooth Green gravies. It doesn’t sound as exciting as it truly is, with both the gravies complimenting each other and creating a beautiful medley of flavours, apart from looking beautiful too! Goes best with Roomali Roti, trust me, try this combination. Mughlai Kofta were Paneer Koftas in almond based gravy which was very different from usual Kofta dishes, in the best way possible, again mimicking the silky velvety smoothness of Naram Dil Paneer Kebabs. Loved this and polished it off completely with accompanying Garlic Naan. Vegetable Biryani was good, not having an overload of Kevda essence like many places do, mildly spicy and went perfectly with Veg Raita, the cooling antidote to heavy eating :) 

Dessert Time meant Madhur Milaap, perfection for sweet lovers like me. Gulab Jamuns, Bundi, Rabdi – all of these together tantalizing the taste buds like nothing else. Must-have if you do not care about calories and looooove sweets :D 

Excellent time spent with loved ones amidst top notch ambiance, service and food, what else does one want,this is fine dining with a soul. We will surely be back for another Grand experience.