JW MARRIOTT MARQUIS – INDIAN INSPIRATION

EATING:

JW Marriott Marquis – Indian Inspiration.

The JW Marriot Marquis on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road is home to the Indian restaurant Rang Mahal which means The Colourful Palace. Their colour of choice is red. The restaurant is infused with a reddish light that permeates the double height atmosphere of the dining room and all within it, including my photos !

DoinDubai visited with a group of friends on a cold (for us) Christmas Night and tried the 4 course set menu, available with or without alcohol.

Renowned (2 Michelin stars) London based chef Atul Kocchar’s staff didn’t disappoint. This was one the most innovative and satisfying Indian meals I have eaten in Dubai.

The 4 courses are a misnomer as they don’t count little appetisers in between the taster courses. I liked the sorbet texture of the dahi vada (yoghurt with lentil dumpling) in it’s tamarind sauce. The small aubergine based salad with yoghurt, pine nuts and burrata still retained it’s Indian identity because of the spices used; now a DoinDubai favourite. The lamb dishes again were brilliantly spiced with cardamom, cloves and garlic. The meat itself was cooked to just falling apart texture so it almost melted in the mouth. While traditional gobi aloo or cauliflower and potato is a typical (and quite humble) North Indian vegetable, Kocchar decided to puree the cauliflower, using it as base for an Indian spiced scallop. Again, an unexpectedly Indian taste meant the dish worked very well.

Flourless chocolate cake isn’t Indian but was delicious all the same.

Prices are good for the quality of food and ambience but I would suggest saving a dinner visit here for a special occasion. Whilst the alcohol option was taken by most of our party, I’m not sure having a different choice of wine with every course added to our experience of the cuisine.

Click here for what you NEED TO KNOW about menu choices, prices and how to get to Rang Mahal.

Atul Kocchar is well known for his Benares restaurant in London. DoinDubai visited many years ago before the blog stated but may report from there again this summer.

Do spread the warm light of this first post by sharing with your friends via your favourite buttons.

If you want another upmarket Indian option in Dubai,  I hear Amla at the Zabeel Saray is still very good. DoinDubai visited a while ago and it was great then too, click here for the review.