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The big question on many lips of Bahrain’s dining out fraternity is will one of the biggest names in the Indian hospitality industry deliver the culinary delights in the kingdom it conjures up so successfully in its homeland?
The simple answer is … yes.
The first international branch of Indian chef Sanjeev Kapoor’s acclaimed eatery The Yellow Chilli has the spice just right.
Forget the hype, this little hothouse in Seef Mall is already buzzing and after next week’s grand opening expect to book early to secure a seat.
Even on a Saturday lunchtime, when I visited during its ‘soft opening’ period, the ambience was on a par with some of the island’s most fashionable retreats.
It was New Year’s Eve, I was expecting the lull before the evening’s storm but there was a full house enjoying the buffet. The place was buzzing, the waiters and waitresses attentive and pleasant and the food was fantastic.
The celebrity chef, regarded as India’s best known culinary expert, will be flying into the kingdom for the official unveiling and one of his right hand men, Chendar Shekhar Pandey, has been busy ensuring the kitchen staff members are trained and the quality of fare is up to the great man’s standards, working alongside the restaurant’s new executive chef Kamal D’Costa.
Incidently, Chef Kamal’s late father George worked with Mr Kapoor before opening his own restaurant in Thakurpukur, in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata. “It’s like returning as part of the family – it’s a dream come true to be joining the team here in Bahrain,” the 36-year-old said.
His culinary pedigree includes a four-year stint as executive chef at the renowned Indian restaurant, Raagini, in the US state of New Jersey.
The Yellow Chilli restaurant, already lovingly labelled the TYC by devotees, will be operated as a franchise of Bahrain-based SunCity Ventures, which already boasts Gloria Jean’s Coffees and the Zayt Zaytoon Lebanese restaurant under its umbrella.
Hassan Mechmechani, its operations manager, said his telephone had been red hot ever since GulfWeekly broke the news in November that The Yellow Chilli was opening for business.
“We now have to live up to expectations and so far the response from diners has been astounding,” he said, as he fine-tuned the details for Monday’s big event which will see VIPs and celebrities in attendance including Dr Hassan Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mohan Kumar, the Indian Ambassador, and Mohammed Adel Fakhro, chairman of the board and directors of SunCity Ventures.
The restaurant will have a full a la carte menu available from Monday although the buffet delights at just BD3.800 per head will take some beating.
The tomato soup starter, with a hint of basil adding a delightful herbal flavour, left a tingle on the tongue and there was an impressive green salad selection available too.
As for the main courses, both vegetarians and meat eaters cannot fault the choice. My favourites were the Andhra Green Chilli Chicken which really tickles the taste-buds and the vegetable biryani. I was happy to try a bit of everything and also enjoyed Lazeez Tikka Masala, Dal Tadka and some superb Sunehre baby corn.
The desserts were very green and fruity in more ways than one. The fresh-fruit salads were placed in scooped-out oranges which seemed like a great way to cut down on the washing up!
Undoubtedly, one of the best Indian restaurants in town and you don’t have to pay five-star hotel prices to enjoy its five-star fare. No doubt Bahrain will not be Sanjeev Kapoor’s only venture out of India. But, in the meantime, let us enjoy the exclusivity!
