Delve Into Luscious Awadhi Delicacies By Chef Quddus At Saffron JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu

Bringing the zaika (flavour) and nazakat (elegance) to Saffron at JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, Chef Abdul Quddus has done a fantastic job. Appointed as the Chef De Cuisine at quite a young age, the kind of food he brings to the table takes pains, precision and years of experience. His signature dishes and family secrets together make the flavours come alive as one instantly transports to the by-lanes and royal houses of Lucknow.

Humble Beginnings

We were served with a warm Murgh Zafrani Shorba at the beginning of the meal. Not only did it give a glimpse into a galore of dishes ahead, but also served as a palate cleanser. The soup was made using simple flavours with not many additions to the stock, keeping it a soothing broth. As we finished we were served with lovely vegetarian and non-vegetarian starters.

Subz Nimona Shikampura was made using green peas, vegetables, cheese, onion, hung curd and mint. It was melt-in-the-mouth delicious, the ideal vegetarian kebab which by no means be demoted to being called a tikki. These are the kind of dishes that makes a meat lover want to turn into a vegetarian even if it’s for only a few moments. A must have if you’re at Saffron.

You’re going to read a lot of ‘must haves’ in this review as each dish was made with sheer dedication by Chef Quddus. Another such dish was Shahi Narangi Murgh. Chicken drumsticks marinated with orange zest, hung curd, saffron and mace. This tandoori dish was exceptional as the flavours of orange zest elevated it to a whole other level. One of the sumptuous dishes that Chef Quddus has brought to Saffron at JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu.

Last but not the least, Raan-E-Quddusi was served. Lamb leg made with cumin, cinnamon, mace and malt vinegar, this dish is a family special from generations passed down to Chef Quddus. Proud as he should be about this dish, the lamb was well cooked, the cumin giving it a lovely flavour and again a must have!

The Feast

As conversations about the flavours, food and the new chef lingered on, we were served the mains along with the bread basket. Now the basket had a mix of piping hot naan, sheermal, warqi paratha, bharwan kulcha and missi roti. As for the dishes we were served Chilgoj-E-Mutter Paneer, Shahi Nalli Nihari, Dal e Khas and Gosht Dum Biryani.

We simply loved each and every dish right from the paneer to the dal. The paneer dish was sumptuous, nothing like you would expect from a humble mutter paneer. The nalli nihari was jam packed with flavours, especially the gravy which we mopped up with the lovely sheermal. Oh and the sheermal itself was flavoured with kevada and was simply a bliss. Let’s just say this each time we took a spoonful or a bite of anything, our taste buds danced with joy. Do not miss out on the amazing biryani and the luscious dal if you come by!

Sweet Nothings

It was time for desserts at the end of the lavish feast sent out by Chef Quddus. We tucked into the royal dessert – Shahi Malai Tukda. The chunk of freshly baked brioche bread was dunked in condensed milk, pistachio and saffron. Loved every heavenly bite of this royalty. We also loved the divine Rasmalai in saffron reduced milk, it was so amazing. So yes, there’s nothing that we didn’t love at this lip-smacking dinner. Do visit Saffron at JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu and we’re sure that the chef will recreate the magic for you too!