Kakori House, Lower Parel, Mumbai North Indian Restaurant

Restaurant Name: Kakori House, Lower Parel, Mumbai
Phone: +918928638522, +919820281080
Address: Shop 10, Shreeniwas Tower, Shankar Rao Narampath, Opposite Laxmi Industrial Estate, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400016 India
Time: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,100
Cuisines: North Indian, Mughlai, Awadhi
Facilities: Home Delivery, Outdoor Seating, Indoor Seating

Tried. Tasted. Tested. Again. And again. Over the past three decades, I’ve not only been dining in Kakori House, but even getting their food home delivered regularly. And not only has it been consistently high in quality and taste, but moderate in price, too.

It was almost 20 years ago that I first feasted on Kakori House’s kababs and biryanis at Karisma Kapoor’s wedding lunch. Since then, it’s been an ongoing Kakori House love affair. It was much later I discovered that it was all in the genes of the chef-owner.

Kakori House, Lower Parel, Mumbai: Decor

Ishtiaque Quereshi works his exotic magic of authentic Awadhi masterpieces. Son of the legendary Padmashree Mohammed Imtiaz Quereshi, he not only ensures the finest quality of ingredients and hand pounded spices, but also the traditional methods of cooking. So, quite naturally, in order to check the delivery during the pandemic, I had the food delivered to the most discerning royal gourmet family, who also have gourmet genes. How better to describe the most gallant, well loved knowledgeable editor, publisher, author Shafquat Ali. He is not only CEO of India’s only 24 hour food channel’s TV awards and shows, but his last assignment was as Editor-in-Chief and CEO of the popular British GoodFood magazine. Currently, he is the publisher of India’s first world-class travel, food and hospitality magazine. This brilliant editor who has launched more than a dozen magazines and newspapers in the Middle East, continues to be a foodie to the core. As is his fab foodie family, each one even known by his / her foodie preferences Iman (the one with a sweet tooth fit foodie), Shreya (the fit foodie), Zayed (the carnivore) and Zain (the quintessential foodie; perpetually hungry). And yes! They are Kakori House fans. In Shafquat’s words, “The family that feasts together, stays together.”

Kakori House, Lower Parel, Mumbai: Food

The last time Shafquat enjoyed Lucknowi Dum Gosht Biryani cooked by both Ishtiaque and his legendary father Padma Shri recipient Imtiaz Qureshi was three years ago for the launch issue of the GoodFood magazine of which Shafquat was CEO and editor-in-chief. Ishtiaque evocatively explains how once he removed the pardah (cover) from the deg (cooking pot) and served the biryani, they were blown away by the distinctive flavours of the ubiquitous delicacy they had grown up on. “The taste lingered on long after the dinner — all of three years to be precise as I realized when the team from Kakori House delivered the biryani and accompaniments at home,” explains Shafquat.

Not just the biryani, the meltin-the-mouth kakori kebabs, the juicy Raan Sikandari with meat falling off the bone and rich haleem made for a royal feast — for Shafquat and for the family. No compromise whatsoever on the quality or the Awadhi flavors.

For sure, it is both, an art and a science to marinate, hold at uniform temperatures, hand pound and then mould kebabs onto a skewer and grill. Gently coaxing the kebab off the skewer is definitely an act of love. And eating that velvety Kakori Kebab for Rs. 455 (UNESCO – recognized Heritage Kebab) is heaven. Our favorites have been the pan-fried, soft Galouti Kebab (the veggie version is great, too). The Murgh Gol Mirch Tikka delights. Fragrant biryanis (Dum Gosht, Masala Chicken and veggie too), and flavorsome Nihari Gosht. Haleem lovers rejoice! You can ask for this rare-on-restaurant-menus here. Even the commonly available Tandoori Chicken, Malai Kebab, and Kalimirch Kebab are equally good.

Verdict:

We will, of course, order in from Ishtiaque Quereshis’s Kakori House’s masterpieces. Again and again. Mukarar!