Ipshita Sharma checks out the Yellow Chilli restaurant at JLT and tells us why she would love to go again and again…
Everyone loves Indian food, wherever in the world you may be from. Consequently, there are thousands of Indian restaurants spread out across the UAE. But when Indians hear the name of Sanjeev Kapoor, they know we’re going to have a good time.
We head to the JLT branch of Yellow Chilli to check out what’s on offer. With a small indoors dine-in area, this venue has a better outdoor vibe with fairy lights et al.
Service is attentive and prompt and we’re soon looking forward to our appetisers and drinks. We get things started with angara paneer tikka or Tandoori paneer (cottage cheese) and tadka chicken tikka with a virgin dhaniya (coriander) mojito and their version of a masala soda called rola cola.
Our drinks are fun but over way too soon! We get some garlic naan on the side and the starters are great and very filling. The paneer and chicken are both cooked very well and the spices are on the lighter side. They also have a fair few vegan and seafood options for the starters as well.
For the main course, we try out the Chef Special cooker meat, which despite what it sounds like, is actually a lovely homestyle mutton curry. It tasted just like home (if only they’d added some potatoes in like my mum would!) We also get the Lalla Mussa Dal, which is a big favourite from the menu and comes highly recommended. It is Mr Kapoor’s signature black lentils that has been cooked in butter. Eaten with rice, these two dishes are definitely the highlights of the evening, with both showing off delicately layered flavours and hearty goodness.
We then head towards ending it all in a sweet note, but hit a snag when our preferred options are not available. We end up trying out the Rasmalai and the Gulab Jamun with Gulkand ice cream and they’re amazing and light and not too sweet. We wash it all down with some masala chai which is served in little clay pots (like home!) Slightly expensive than your average ‘karak’, it was brewed well and was just what our happy tummies needed.
The Yellow Chilli is a flavorful twist of traditional flavours made to suit local tastes; the perfect choice for a place like Dubai with its cornucopia of cultures!
Yellow Chilli, cluster U, ground floor Al Seef 2, JLT, 04 551 7007
Good: great outdoors ambience, lots of options, both Indian and fusion
Bad: price points are high and some items are not available
Trendy: new locations are opening up across the UAE!