We tried out Rohit Bal’s new spot “Veda” at Palladium Mall in Phoenix Mills last week. Apart from the Indian cuisine I’ll tell you one thing, it sure looks like Christmas in there, Lol! I’ll let Nowshad Rizwanullah take over on the food front now but OMG I just remembered their complimentary veda curry leaf starter chips, oh-so-yummy 🙂

Veda, Food Guide by Nowshad Rizwanullah

If I had to choose one word to describe Veda Bar & Restaurant, it would have to be “gutsy”. Let’s admit it – it takes balls to open an upscale restaurant in a shopping mall – and even more so to deck it out like a cross between the Batcave and an opium den. But most of all, promising to serve up a “lightness of being after a meal” seems pretty ambitious for an Indian restaurant. While the location and décor may not work for everyone, and lightness is not exactly how I would describe the post-meal glow, it has to be said that this new addition to Palladium Mall in Lower Parel is onto something good in the food department.

While the menu covers a lot of staple dishes, many of these are executed in imaginative and clever ways. The Veda Curry Leaf appetizer is a delightfully crunchy and spicy mix of curry leaves, potato slices, and lotus stems. The Crispy Okra is reminiscent of street chaat but made with, as the name suggests, crispy okra tossed with fresh onions, tomato and a pungent mix of spices.

Equally tasty are the Kadai Prawns – plump tiger prawns perfectly cooked in subtle and savory gravy, which made up for the bland, flat Chargrilled Salmon you should probably avoid. Vegetarians will appreciate the Paneer on Fire, crisp on the outside, firm on the inside, and tossed in a sweet and spicy glaze. For main courses, we immediately fell in love with the Mirchi and Baigan Ka Salan, a tangy and spicy gravy swimming with tender baby eggplant. While we were less enthused about the Rogan Josh – decent gravy but chewy chunks of meat – we enjoyed the Mint Flavoured Fish – baked tender in banana leaf and served in a thick, mildly minty curry. The Coconut Shrimp Biryani is an interesting twist on a party favorite, but beware of the strong infusion of rose water. Finally, the Daal Veda is worth a go, if only to try the uber rich, buttery take on this typical black lentil preparation.

Close out your meal with a thick Phirni or better yet, the creamy Kulfi that, remarkably, is just the perfect amount of sweet. More adventurous types may opt for the Litchi Ki Tehri – the first time I’d seen litchis prepared this way and not a bad take on the fruit. Overall, Veda offers a welcome addition to the handful of upscale sit-down Indian restaurants in the city. The service still needs some polish – the staff has yet to find their rhythm – and the décor certainly takes some getting used to. But if you’re looking for something a little different or have out-of-town guests that you want to take out for a meal on the fancier side of the neighborhood dhaba, consider this restaurant as a good alternative.

Veda Restaurant & Bar
2nd Floor, Palladium Mall
Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel
Mumbai – 400013
Tel: +(91)-(22)-24900055, 43326666