Just a mix, not a match

A fusion instrument invented by Niladri Kumar called Zitar has inspired a new restaurant in Powai.

What: Zitar Restaurant
Where: G1/G2/G3, Ventura House, Opposite D Mart, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai
Call: 4015 7888
What’s on the menu: Fusion Indian cuisine
Drinking: Yes
Smoking: No

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A fusion instrument invented by Niladri Kumar called Zitar has inspired a new restaurant in Powai. The cosy interiors could serve as an ideal location for a date or a family hangout. Though opened just two weeks ago, the popularity of the place seems to have caught on with the locals, as by 9.30 pm, the place usually gets packed.

A separate lounge named The Bathtub has sofas, a bar and a TV screening live sports. From one of the two menus that we were handed, we ordered the Watermelon Cooler, which is a no-no for diabetics because of the high sugar content (watermelon slush with lime juice and mint leaves) and Peach Fizzler that tasted more like an orange juice (peach crush, lime and orange juice). Mocktails are priced at Rs.199. Imported beer costs Rs.399 a pint, while local beers are for Rs.199.

Our starters
Comprised Egg Kebab (crushed, boiled egg whites and tamarind curd sauce, Rs.240) and Chicken Khurchan (lemon, honey, garlic and chicken, Rs.280). Both were bland and tasteless.

The main course of Hyderabadi Garlic Chicken with green chutney and rice (Rs.360) and Roasted Mughlai Chicken with cashew gravy, red curry basil and Basmati rice (Rs.380), were a welcome relief.

The Garlic and Mughlai chicken were somewhat bland and lacked the distinct spicy flavour synonymous with north-Indian dishes. But the dessert — Coconut Rabadi (Rs.130) — that tasted like grated, sweetened coconut — was a disappointment.

The eatery is pitched as a fusion restaurant, but has dishes like Baingan Masala (Rs.270), Veg Kolhapuri (Rs.260) and Dal Makhani (Rs.220), which you’ll find at every other city restaurant.

Bizarrely, at one point, smoke started emanating from the kitchen and filled the whole restaurant. What was even more strange was that, no one complained. As far as the food goes, we weren’t impressed with what we tried.

What we like
* Cosy setup

We don’t like
* Food
* Interiors