Copper Chimney -- Oberoi Mall, Goregaon

Food: 2.75
Ambience: 4.0
Service: 3.0

Location: Oberoi Mall, Goregaon East.

Copper Chimney opened its new branch at Oberoi Mall yesterday. It is right next to Cream Centre, which I like! Both have a different approach to their cuisine. Copper Chimney is traditional, mostly Mughlai and Punjabi cuisine. In the good old days, Copper Chimney was the place to celebrate as there were hardly any other class places then. Kwality's was another, I think. However, I do not remember any of my food experiences then. Vivek, my brother, reminded me that the Worli branch, had a live counter where you could see chefs throwing/swirling the Roomali roti. Yes, that was fun! Roomali roti was such a novelty. I think during those days, that was the default roti I ate.

As it is a new place in the fairly swank Oberoi Mall (one of my regular haunts), Copper Chimney is also swank and plush and cool. There are two guards at the entrance, I mean two charming girls, to check your entry. I gave my name and I was escorted to the lone table with two chairs. At 7.30 pm, when there are hardly any guests, on a Monday -- why should restaurants treat lone guests as pests? Why can't they seat you wherever you wish? I have always felt good when I was led to a good place -- rather than seats reserved for two!

At Sanjeev Kapoor's Yellow Chilli on a weekend at around 7.30 pm when almost all the tables were taken -- I was royally led to a very nice table! I politely declined and took the two seater table at the entrance! I really love the Yellow Chilli and its tasting menu!

Having been accustomed to this rudeness or lack of mehmaan-nawaazi, I quietly accepted the table. The guest lady professionally put the napkin for me. We spoke in English. Everywhere the language is English. To be honest I feel uncomfortable -- I feel it is a bit snooty. Not talking about Copper Chimney, just a general rant.

I asked for Chaas (butter-milk) and I was asked whether I want it Sweet or Salted! Small discussion follows. I opt for Masala Chaas. A nice tall glass of it with quite a lot of foam at the top. I hate the foam! Chaas is pretty good. The consistency is just right, there are bits of ginger. The flavour is mostly a delicate roasted zeera (cumin seeds) and light salt! Perfecto! is the word that comes to mind!

Roti is also Perfecto! It is a brownish, thinnish roti, which is rather crisp. It is chewy and tasty -- just the way I like it! You can sort of taste the wheat and its tandoori origin.

Mirch ka Salaan is one of my favourite dishes ever since I heard that it is the favourite dish of a prince from the Holkar family. He was a film star -- Vijayendra Ghatge! I must have tasted this dish at least 10 years after the interview! BTW, ITC has a fairly OKish (tending towards OK) packet Mirch ka Salaan which you can buy from any hypermarket! The MKS gravvy was quite tasty with the right amount of tang, but a little lacking in heat (teekapan). I did not get the peanut taste (not saying that one should get it!) as the recipe requires it.

Google detour: Just checked from Tarla Dalal's site that indeed it is made with peanuts! She also says that it is a Hyderabadi saalan (vegetable curry).

The Bhavnagari mirchis in the saalan had a decent amount of teekapan (heat). I loved it! I don't know why in Indian cooking (or should we call it Indian overcooking) there is so much of overcooking. The mirchis were almost wilted completely (now, try to understand that!) The ITC packet stuff is even more wilted! If I try this recipe I would sort of leave a lot of life in the mirchis!

Vegetable Biryani was quite good. Really long grain, reddish coloured rice with lots of vegetables. The biryani was tending more towards pulao. If the spiciness was any less, I would have called it a pulao. (Don't get me into a debate on the difference between Biryani and Pulao! I am not yet clear!) BTW, I had this as a take-away -- so I am not sure whether they give any accompaniments with the Biryani, like raita or a smallish curry.

Navratna Korma is one of my slip of the menus (like slip of the tongue). I always order it, forgetting that I will always be disappointed. But mind you, this was was quite palatable, even though very creamish and almost sweet. One had to search for the vegetables and it was almost only gravvy, fairly waterish (sort of sauce consistency) at that. It was a mistake ordering it, but it made a good substitute for raita with the biryani. I am in an eternal search for a good korma! Navratna is a restaurant code for cream, rich, and sometimes fruits!

Interesting, I was not asked for dessert!

Bill (for 3): Rs.975 (including service charges and VAT). Not bad at all.

Will I go there again! But, of course!

Confession time: Chef Sanjay Malkani walked in when I was seated. I greeted him and remarked that I did not know that he was associated with the restaurant. I am a fan of Sanjay Malkani. I liked his cookery demo. I would like to re-affirm that this review has in no way been biased by my acquaintance of the Chef! (He is the big chef and he oversees all the operations of Blue Foods!)

Feedback form: I dutifully filled up the form. It was nicely designed -- you could either say it was excellent, good or bad (my words). I chose excellent for all.

One of the marketing executives chased me outside the restaurant and asked me for feedback. I was delighted to give him my feedback. I told him that I would write a review and he could see some finer points (barikiyaan) in the review. BTW, I make it a point to compliment chefs or point out my preferences and opinion. I am not sure whether any of them takes me seriously.