Reading The Signs At Lower Parel’s Newest Eatery - Ishaara!
Before you read further, I think you should just go ahead and make a reservation for two at Ishaara. Why, you ask? Because by the time you’re done reading, I’m sure you’ll be convinced anyway!
Ishaara is the newest spot from the same team behind Mirchi and Mime and the good folks at Impresario who own the likes of Social and Smoke House Deli. These are all places where you don’t just go to eat or drink. You go there for the experience. And at Ishaara, this experience begins the moment you step into this cozy space!
The restaurant employs a speech and hearing-impaired service staff and encourages you to use sign-language as a medium to place your orders and converse with them!
This wholesomeness spreads across the menu through its comforting, homely food, and especially when the servers nudge you to smile if you happen to sport a frown while spooning a dessert.
Eager to know what I think deserves a thumbs-up at Ishaara?
Keep reading!
Dungar Chicken Tikka
The menu here is a novel one. Each section and the dishes listed under it have tiny illustrated hand-signs which help you order better. Now, how cool is that! I ended up jumping straight for the large Tandoor menu and got myself a plate of Dungar Chicken Tikka. With spicy chicken breast pieces served under a smoking cloche, its nothing short of magic. Light and easy, get it to share.
Pomegranate And Grapefruit Martini
This Gordon’s gin based cocktail gets an “OH HELL YEAH” for it’s beautiful balance of mint leaves, pomegranate, grapefruit, ginger, and jaggery! It’s sweet, spicy, and satisfying.
Tandoori Prawn
Prawns are better when baked in a tandoor and covered in a layer of green garlic and spring onion. If you’d like proof, order a crunchy, buttery, and very much green plate of Tandoori Prawn. This is my go-to seafood entrée here, and it should be yours as well!
Mumbai Mule
Switch up your regular order of Moscow Mule for a Mumbai Mule made with Ketel One Vodka, ginger ale, jaggery, and coconut water. It needs to be on your table, even if it’s for it’s delicious fragrance!
Mutton Dori Kebab
Every meal at Ishaara should involve an order of their Dori Kebab, which is sort of like a glorious hybrid of melt-in-the-mouth mutton, smoke, and kevda. While the dish is not much of a looker, you’re going to want it for it’s sheer taste and theatrics - to watch the server tug at a string and let the tender meat loose off the rod its smoked on. Gosh, I’m still salivating!
Sweet And Sour Julep
Johnnie Walker Double Black Scotch, sea salt, pomegranate, and cucumber. Is it surprising to see all of these things listed under the same cocktail? Yes. But, do they taste astonishingly good? Yes and yes!
Seasonal Cheesecake
The fruit changes seasonally, but it doesn’t really matter - if you’re here, you’re ordering it. It’s light and fluffy, and the combination of the cheesecake with its crumbly biscuit-y base will have you dreaming about it as you lay in bed days later.
Flourless Chocolate Brownie
Quite possibly my deserted island dessert. Made with 70% dark chocolate, it’ll have you reaching out for second, and third helpings. It’s simple and absolutely smashing, and I need to figure out how to stock my refrigerator with it!
tl;dr? I GOAT you!
Once you arrive at Ishaara, you have very little reason to leave. Be it the sweetest staff, or the yummiest menu, everything sums up to make it your favourite new restaurant. If you want to be surrounded with a galore of smiles and leave with a tummy full of treats, this is the place for you. Aakhir, kabhi kabhi sirf ek ‘Ishaara’ kaafi hota hai *wink*
Picture Credits - Saylee Padwal
