Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
More than 25 years on and fine dining restaurant Lanterns is still dishing out authentic Indian cuisine infused with tantalising spices and a variety of vindaloos, kormas and bhajis reminiscent of the region’s vast heritage.
The venue, located at ‘Burgerland Roundabout’ on Budaiya Highway, has carried on in adversity as unrest has erupted in the area.
Although many customers have been put off by the troubles and constant tyre-burning escapades of unruly young villagers, many loyal local and expat devotees of the dishes served up at the establishment continue to come back time and time again.
And it’s easy to see the attraction. Its Indian village-style decor and mouth-watering menu continues to attract customers from across the kingdom, including regulars such as the Al Khatib family.
The restaurant holds a special place in my heart as it has been a part of my Friday family lunches for as long as I can remember. If its mud walls could talk it would recount the times my father spilt a spoonful of curry on his shirt or my mum turned bright red from accidentally chomping on a chilli.
The fun family memories are endless and I couldn’t imagine not going there anymore. In fact, I was thrilled to hear that they were opening a new venue in Adliya. I had a sneak peek of the locale and must say it will not disappoint, still depicting the theme we have all come to enjoy and love.
It has become such a family ritual that when my cousin came to visit from Jordan we simply had to take her here, especially after discovering that my adopted home country (I’m one of many proud Palestinians carrying a Jordanian passport) doesn’t have any Indian restaurants!
Upon entering the eatery, she started snapping pictures like a true tourist making her way around the souq. She captured images of the antique-style swing, the clay pots, the paan stalls (Indian kiosks) filled with bright colourful bangles, small cigarette packs and magazines, half a lorry coming out of a wall and, of course, the hanging lanterns, the venue’s namesake.
A large wooden menu in the shape of a clipboard displayed a variety of dishes from the clay oven and grill for us to devour.
Two tandoori mixed grills were brought to the table along with a tit-bit platter made up of crab and cheese in money bags, tempura fried prawns, vegetable spring rolls, stuffed fried mushrooms, minced chicken kebabs and grilled hammour nibbles.
The selection was presented on a miniature charcoal grill which was a unique touch. Then again it’s obvious that the Lanterns team pays special attention to detail starting from the traditional steel-copper glasses to the giant aprons that act as napkins (which my mother is thinking of investing in to help decrease her load of laundry at home).
Also on the menu was a plate of aloo honey chilli, a crispy-fried shoe-string potato dish soaked in honey and chilli. That was absolutely delicious with symmetry of sweet and spicy.
As soon as the appetisers were taken away, the serving staff didn’t waste any time presenting the main course which included prawn masala, chicken makhani, chicken tikka masala, steamed rice, grilled lamb chops and naan bread. Since my mother and I cannot eat mouth-blazing food we ordered a side of yogurt chutney for that essential cooling effect. The lamb chops were succulent and juicy and surrounded by grilled vegetables.
Hats off to Chef Kundan Kunwar – boasting more than 13 years of culinary experience at Lanterns – for serving up such a tasty spread and helping to bring a smile to my cousin’s face.
If only she could have stayed around longer to hear the traditional live entertainment that further adds to the ambience of the venue.
