With
Mumbai speedily being restructured (more so near the Sahar area) the city has
aplenty dining destinations, buzzing with hotels, fine dining and fashionable
restaurants. Not surprisingly, Dakshin at the ITC Maratha is possibly one of
Mumbai’s evergreen restaurants, has quietly beaten everyone to the draw and
still remains a favourite with many.
This is owing to the fact that Dakshin
focusses on traditional home cooking. It expands beyond just Kerala to Andhra
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Although this is a rather common theme with
Southern restaurants, Dakshin’s advantage is its attention to seafood, which
makes up a significant part of the menu; which makes the juicy Jeeri Meri,
prawns tossed in onions, bedgi chillies and vinegar pleasantly appropriate.
The
food, in care with the décor, is worthy without being unusually extravagant or
fussy. Thanks to the fact that they’re being quite fixated about ingredients,
every dish has a characteristic flavour, which is quite a luxury in these days
of ‘one spice fits all.’ The highlights are the ‘Pandi Roast’ rich and roasted
with crushed red chillies teamed with Kal Dosa; also the ‘Gutti Vankai koora’
spicy baby eggplants in traditional rich gravy redolent with nuts. Then there
was the Gassi, intended to go gorgeously with steaming rice. The ‘Karwar yeti
fry’ is interesting if you like the brisk crispiness of semolina on your bay
prawns.
Although
they serve a dauntingly large thali, Dakshin’s selection is best tasted slowly.
I always approach cuisine as an exploration of the culture of a place, since
every cuisine or for that matter dish is individual in taste so I would
recommend to go slowly taking in each and every dish enjoyably. Mix and match
thoughtfully, for example Fish and rice, Appam with Ishtoo, Delicate Neer or
Kal Dosa with, well, almost anything. A yummy Basundi is a must try to end on a
sweet note; the milky liquid is delicious. At Dakshin, they have strived to recreate
the splendour of Southern style of cooking and resuscitate the vanishing
lifestyle of Peninsular India. It is a venue exceptional for its authentic
presentations of the finest creations!
 |
| DON'T MISS THE METER KAPI |
CHECK IT OUT
Dakshin Coastal ITC Maratha- a Luxury Collection Hotel, Sahar, Andheri
(E), Mumbai- 400099
For Reservations- + 91 022 30151633
Open for dinner
