Daddy's Deli - Nooshe jan!

How often has it happened to you that while hopping along in search of an ice cream parlour or a cafe, you find one with a name which is as 'cafeish' as it gets - and you end up at a fine dining restaurant serving Parsi cuisine!

So that's exactly how me and three of my friends landed up at Daddy's Deli on a rainy Saturday evening. If it wasn't for the large bold letters stating 'Parsi restaurant - upstairs', we would never have realised there existed anything! The place is carved out of one floor of a set of service apartments, which adds to the homely ambiance and decor, just about big enough to accommodate around 20-30 people at a time. There is a separate room further in, which has a few tables and can also possibly be used for a small group get - together. If you think getting a table would be a piece of cake, you might want to give this a thought. The place was full by around 9 30, with some families waiting for around 10-15 mins. Most of the clientele, you will find, are regulars and on very friendly terms with one of the owners, Zarine. Zarine was perhaps the most active person around (yes, it is a bit quiet and sophisticated in there) - taking orders, welcoming and seeing off guests, supervising the staff and kitchen and still managing to remain extremely pleasant!

Coming to the food, I do have a caveat - firstly I'm not an expert on Parsi cusine, in fact this might be my first visit to an authentic Parsi restaurant so it wou'dnt be right on my part to say if any dish was good or bad; secondly, the tragedy was that the rest of the gang were veggies and we were on a limited budget (I know...could life get any worse?!). Why this caveat? Coz, frankly, agar Parsi restaurant mein mutton nahin khaya tho kuch nahin khaya! But no worries, there's always a next time, and always room to edit your post on Blogger.

A large part of the menu consists of starters (kebabs, fries) and what they called Side Dishes, which were essentially dry items like fish, mutton chops or veggies served with potato or salad. Due to the limitations mentioned above, we went in straight for the main course. On the menu, this was divided into Vegetarian and Non-vegetarian with 4-5 dishes in each, served with rice. Now this is very typical (as I have researched). Popular dishes in Parsi cuisine are kebabs, lot of different items made with egg and ofcourse, the ever'green' Dhansak. Rice is a key ingredient of meals as is the use of different kinds of lentils. Also, as I have been informed, Parsi cooks love to mix and match a large variety of spices and condiments into a dish so you will not really be able to figure out what exactly has gone into what you're having since you get contradicting tastes. The mystery deepens!

Right, so on the recommendation of Zarine (I will be mentioning her quite often out here because I really admire people who are so involved in their restaurants), I ordered a Prawn Curry Chawal while the others ordered the Dhansak with rice, and Tarkari ni Khichdi. One dish, I must add here, is more than sufficient for 2 persons, as also informed by our host. The wait was long, but worth it. While the Curry Chawal was essentially very Goan in taste (a mild form of Balchao) but very well prepared with not too much spice or vinegar, the Dhansak was quite new to me in terms of taste. The word 'Dhansak' is essentially 2 words - 'Dhan' meaning rice and lentils, 'Sak' referring to vegetables. Ideally, this signature dish should be had with mutton so please avoid a veg order unless you're really very vegetarian! I would give the veg Dhasak a 6/10. The Khichdi was like a usual North Indian pulao with a lot of masala and vegetables. What was more noteworthy, was the accompanying Dahi/Raita, which consisted of a unique blend of ingredients that I've still not figured out - a must try.

My experience was, unfortunately, limited to these 3 dishes. For dessert, we tried out the Chocolate Mousse and Lagan Nu Custard - both signature bites of Daddy's Deli. I would surely like to try out the Kulfi as well next time.

A great experience at the end of the day, both because I got to taste something pleasantly different and for the warm hospitality extended by the host, Zarine. Definitely worth one visit, if not more but not much of a friends hangout. And for those wondering, Nooshe Jan means Bon Appetite.

Main course: Rs. 200-300 per dish
Starters: Rs. 125 to 200 (including the Side Dishes)
Alcohol: Yes. A decent selection of Wine
Note: The restaurant is closed on Mondays.

Daddy’s Deli
#3289, 12th Main
HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar
Bangalore
Phone: 41154375