Get curried away with the best Indian restaurants in Manila

The house that curry built

Awarded “Best Indian Restaurant” by the Manila's Best Kept Restaurant Secrets panel in 2010 and given a positive review by the New York Times, Kashmir exudes an aura of elegance underscored by 38 years' worth of tireless devotion to serving good Indian-Middle Eastern, Arabian and Malaysian food.

 

It started when the daughters of first generation Sindhi migrants, Indra Mirchandani, Kamla Singh and Sita Advani, decided to sell Indian food in the guesthouse they put up in Makati in the '70s. Serving food to a huge crowd of expats, travelers and locals was not a problem as the three sisters had five other siblings to feed and were frequently visited by friends and relatives. 

 

One thing the owners are proud to claim is that there is no breach in consistency in their food. Travelers who've eaten in Kashmir in the '80s can come back to find their favorites still on the menu, and more. 

 

Well, it's hard not to come back. For starters, a plate of piping hot samosas is crave-worthy, especially when you dip one in mango chutney—a perfect combination. If you're not the mango type, they have tamarind and mint chutneys too. 

 

A tip: You can tell if you're having good samosa when the outer layer of fried dough that holds the mashed potatoes and peas in place is not too hard (was not fried in oil that's too hot). Think Filipino/ Spanish empanada, Indian-style. 

 

Other pleasers are the tangy Murgh Makhani (butter chicken) and tasty vegetarian Palak Paneer (cottage cheese in spinach and other spices), which were both feasts in the mouth when eaten with naan bread or with one of the many rice dishes offered.

 

Kashmir once enjoyed undivided attention when it came to Indian food, but a lot of other new names have joined the restaurant scene. "We do not consider them competition," says Arjan, husband of the owner Indra Mirchandani. "In fact, we're happy that people are becoming more aware of Indian food." And that response is truly noble coming from the pioneers of quality Indian cuisine in the country.

 

Average price per dish: P350

Website: http://www.kashmirmanila.com/

Contact: (632) 524-6851/ 532-1512 (Ermita branch), 844-4924/27 (Arnaiz branch)

Locations:

 

Taking the royal road 

 

Don't be intimidated by Queens Crystal Garden's enormous glass windows and fancy interior, this restaurant is actually a very laid-back venue where you can enjoy the night away over good food and hookah with friends and family.

 

Kolkata-bred Sima Agrawal took over as owner of Queens when the original franchiser of this Indonesian brand moved to Australia in 2007. Since then, Sima has made great efforts in maintaining their high-quality food and ushering in all kinds of crowds.

 

Queens offers not just Indian cuisine on their menu but also a mix of Indonesian, Chinese, Arabic and more recently, Mediterranean delicacies. This is to provide more options for food lovers, even Indians who don't want the usual Indian food served at home but still want quality vegetarian food.

 

The restaurant's Indian specialties range from chicken, fish and seafood items to vegetarian dishes such as Aloo Gobi Mutter (potatoes, cauliflower and peas in a soupy mixture of tomato, coriander and other spices) and Paneer Tikka (cottage cheese grilled with onions and tomatoes in the tandoor). Each dish, including breads and biryanis, is already good for 2 to 3 people.

 

A unique, eye-catching menu item is the Chicken Anarkali Pizza. Chicken curry on thin-crust pizza? It did not disappoint. They also feature a different thali every day: your whole dinner (from appetizer to dessert) all on a big plate.

 

Queens is perfect for big groups who want to get away from the mall scene but still be in a place where all the action is. To food lovers craving for global goodness in Alabang, your majesty the Queen(s) is looking to expand in that area.

 

Average price per dish: P300

Contact: (632) 895-1316/ 895-1816

Location: 146-B Jupiter Street, Makati City

 

Bollywood on a plate

When you think India, you think Bollywood: the extravagant costumes, the loud music and a whole lot of dancing. Who says you can't have your own film star experience right inside a mall in the metro?

 

It's hard to miss Queens at Bollywood in Greenbelt 3, especially on belly dancing nights (Thursdays and Saturdays) and sitar Sundays when the place would be packed and brimming with excitement. 

 

Even on relatively lull days, the place would still be well-lit and booming with dance tunes from Bollywood music videos shown on the TV screen, complementing the walls decorated with Bollywood movie posters and paintings of Indian icons.

 

Unlike its sister restaurant Queens, Bollywood (formerly “Bollywood Bistro” when it was still under the LJC Group of restaurants) offers only Indian food on their menu plus a wide array of bar items and hookahs.

 

The food in itself is another spectacle. Their Chicken Curry is one of the best I've tried. The pasty mixture of spices did not overwhelm nor dissatisfy the taste buds. That and the Garlic Naan were a pretty scrumptious duo. Their Kulfi Falooda showed traces of the Filipino halo-halo, which was a good way of intertwining similar desserts of two different cuisines.

 

On the night I was there, just when the belly dancing series was about to come to a halt, all the servers were suddenly dancing and enjoying themselves. This whole scenario seemed to be a direct clip hauled from a Bollywood movie. It was quite a nice surprise.

 

On the way out, make sure to get one Paan Masala especially prepared by Vijay Gurung, the manager. Paan is a combination of numerous herbs and spices sealed in betel leaf and are common palette cleansers in India. A friend described it as having a feel of the clothing store Kamiseta in your mouth. It takes some getting used to.

 

When I asked the manager why he thinks this is the best Indian restaurant in town, he simply says: "Well, this is Bollywood." It just is.

 

Average price per dish: P300

Contact: (632) 757-3536/queens.crystalgarden.restaurant@gmail.com

Location: Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City

 

The birth of a legend 

 

As the son of the owner of Indian eateries Delhi Darbar and Shiv Sagar back in the day, the restaurant scene was not a new concept for Legend of India General Manager Rakesh Alwani. 

 

This time, he made sure he put his own touch to the place. For him, a place that is more upscale and where people come for the food is the way to go.

 

Two years into the business, Legend of India has already gained popularity within the Indian community because of its wide array of mithais (Indian sweets) that are not readily available in other restaurants. 

 

Foreigners and Filipinos alike also come for the lunch buffets and curry nights, which include an assortment of Indian delicacies from naans to curries and jalebis (deep-fried sugary dessert). 

 

Legend of India will always have a soft spot in my gastronomic life, as it is the only place where I got to rekindle my love for Sev Puri. One bite from a whole plate transported me to the streets of Mumbai where they serve these little crispy puffed bread stuffed with mashed potatoes, tamarind, chopped onions, basil and sev. I swear by all 3 million Indian gods of my ancestors, this snack is simply divine.

 

On desserts, their version of kulfi is reminiscent of the taste of most milky mithais. It melts in your mouth without the chunky texture as served in other restaurants.

 

Legend of India started with a bang and is continuously proving with its dedication to good, authentic Indian food that this small, cozy place is worth a visit. This is undoubtedly the most promising new Indian restaurant in town.

 

Average price per dish: P300

Contact: (632) 836-4232

Location: 114-B Jupiter Street, Makati City 

 

 

At the end of the day, it is only you who can tell which Indian restaurant best suits your personality and what you are looking for. You have to own your experience—eat with your hands, enjoy good company and let your tongue welcome the spices of South Asia. –KG, GMA News

 

All restaurants featured in the article accept catering, delivery and other special orders.