This month we were invited to review one of the best Authentic Indian Food & Snacks Restaurants in Southall. Situated in the heart of Southall, Moti Mahal’s jalebi and kulfi corner is almost a landmark, which locals use to tell directions to the visitors. Loved by the locals and distant fans alike, Moti Mahal Southall has reached the current levels of popularity by putting in a decade of continuous food improvements and lots of hard work.
At the door, we were greeted by the proud, young & enthusiastic owner Mr Goldy who appeared to be well aware of the importance of a smile at reception. As it was a hot day, staff were quick to offer us choice of lassi, sharbat, thandai or cold water. We preferred cold water. They were then quick to get us cold and clear water after having us seated in a comfortable chair belonging to the centre table of the spacious and very Indian looking restaurant. After a brief intro of the restaurant’s history and current popularity we were asked to pick our favorite dishes from the amazingly diverse menu they had. We simply asked for summer’s best dishes and the flight to an amazing culinary experience took off from there.
We were first served the summer’s best appetiser known all over India as “pani puri” and in north india as “gol gappe”. The name itself is so mouth watering that most of you, who have tried it before, must be imagining the taste in your mouth. They were simply awesome and were quickly followed by equally good papdi chaat and samosa chaat. The manager told us that unlike most restaurants, they don’t use refrigerated samosas or spring rolls for anything, instead these items are cooked fresh on customer’s request. The khatta-meetha (which also happens to be the name of Bollywood’s upcoming, expected to be a hit movie starring Akshay Kumar) sensation on our tongue only aggravated our desire for more mouth watering dishes.
After the starters the first to come on the table was Punjab’s pride – “Sarson ka Saag with Makki Di Roti” or “Spiced purees of Spinach and other greens along with a thick chapati made of corn flour” . Freshness of the green leaves used decide a lot about the outcome of the puree which in this case was simply delicious. Next thing to be served was Masala Dosa but there were so many people around us eating the popular masala dosa that we decided to surprise the chef by ordering for Chilli Onion Dosa. It wasn’t easy to decide by the way, as Moti Mahal happens to have almost 10 different kinds of Dosas including prawn and lamb ones. And guess what, the chef passed the test by flying colors as the Chilli Onion dosa probably had the most tasteful and colorful stuffing we have ever seen in a dosa consisting of onions, spices, capsicum and tomato. It became the highlight of the evening and had it not been for the remaining dishes planned for us, we would have gone for another Chilli Onion Dosa right away.
We then tasted the yummy Biryanis, Bhature Cholle and tandoori rotis with Karela lamb and Achari Lamb. Both the lambs were good but Karela Lamb deserves a special mention as its not easy to cook that vegetable right even for the Indian Mums back home in Indian kitchens. Luckily the karela lamb we had was just perfect. Our tongues unanimously voted for it as one of the most delicious servings on the platter. By this time, we were completely fed and were glowing by the hospitality shown to us. The spices must have added to our glow, and we requested for sweet servings.
It must be mentioned that one of the things moti mahal is most famous for is Dakka Kulfi popularly known as Matka Kulfi. It is leagues apart from the supermarket kulfi you get in a nearby store or an average Indian food outlet and is reason enough to walk or drive down to the welcoming doors of Moti Mahal. After having a bite of it, we have to agree that the hype has some substance behind it and that substance is made of mouth watering fresh rabri, along with some other cool ingredients and frozen on a stick which during any Indian kid’s childhood, is usually dangled in front of him as a reward for doing his homework properly. If you are smiling right now then believe us, you will be even broadly smiling when you have it in your own hands. The craving for a Yummy Kulfi is in a punjabi’s genes and lets not deny that some foodies like us do fantasise about having a kulfi at a sun scorched beach. Add some Moti-Mahal’s yummy falooda to it decorated with mischievously sprinkled Rooh-Afza rose flavour sharbat syrup with a saluting umbrella straw in the glass and you could become a sight in your own right with “yummmmmm” written all over your face.
All in all, a visit to Moti-Mahal is a must after reading this unless hay fever has blocked your nose and you can’t smell the difference between a sandwich and a samosa.
Reviewed by Navin Arora on 09 Jul 2010
Food Critic On Panel – Indian Mirror Magazine – motimahal.co.uk