Koyla

Colaba, Mumbai

Eating out is the usual reason most people go out to a Restaurant. I am not weird, that’s the reason I go to a restaurant too. But not in case of Koyla.

There are a couple of reasons I cant or do not go often to Koyla to ’’Eat’’.

• It is very very far, from my home. If I go for a leisurely dinner to Koyla, I will be back for breakfast at home (Just kidding, it is not that far!!!). In spite of that, we have been there twice already!

Secondly and more importantly, there something here that attracts me more than the food.

Now, that does not mean that the food here is not good, one can have a sumptuous meal here.

Koyla

~Where~

Its a five minute walk from the Gateway of India, Take the lane just behind the Taj and walk to the end of it. Gulf hotel is bang in front of you! Koyla is the roof top restaurant here. Take the lift; get down at the top floor. There’s a Glass door right in front of you. Don’t enter thru this door! lol... Take the stairs up for two more floors and Voila! ...

--Their USP--

HOOKAH !!!, also called as SHEESHA, is their main USP, which brings the crowd here. Hookah is a smoking device, which has a long pipe attached to it. And makes a nice to hear gurgling sound when you drag on the water pipe. It sure gives a royal feeling!

I am yet to know of any other place in Bombay, which offers this Nawabi/Ethnic ambience.

I always had a fancy or rather a fantasy of sometime smoking a Hookah. But always thought I would never be able to do it, because

1) I dint know where to get my hands on one.

2) I always thought it would be a very costly affair.

But now I know where to get one, and that it is not that costly a thing also.

They charge a 100 Bucks for one Hookah filling, which lasts for about an hour or probably more. Apple, Mint, Peach, Strawberry are the flavors which you can try out for the hookah filling. I’ve been there twice now, and tried out Apple and Mint. Would rather suggest Mint over apple, as it has a very smooth feeling where as the Apple flavored hookah feels very heavy and leaves a very pungent taste in the mouth, which makes it somewhat difficult to enjoy the food later.

As for the Dangerous effects of smoking, they maintain that the Masala, the ingredients which they put in the hookah has not a bit of Tobacco and is 100% Nicotine Free. And that it is some thing that they import specially from some country. They dint give out any more details, though I probed.

P.S: - I wont guarantee this. However, they maintain its non-toxic. I can only say that it does not taste or smell of Tobacco either.

--The Food--

They pitch on the Dum Pukht, and Mughlai cusine. And believe me the quality and quantity is something I just cant complain about. We never had a full dinner here, but had a variety of starters and snacks. And they were filling enough for us. We started with a Jal Jeera and a Mock Tail: - Pink Panther.

And had Alu chat and a platter of Tandoori Chicken. And this Tandoori was supposed to be a starter. However, the kind of chicken pieces they serve.

Its more than enough for people like me to pass of as dinner. At a 165/- Bucks the four pieces of Chicken they served was a steal.

Also try out the variety of steamy hot Kababs they serve, we tried out the Murg Malai Kabab. Were good, but a bit on the sweeter side.

No liquor served here. So all you folks who cant gulp food without that, please excuse your self.

The bill came up to a 400/- something, excluding the 100/- of the Hookah. Average cost of any item being 100/-.

The taste, quality and quantity get a

--The Ambience--

The ambience is totally ethnic, with candles and lanterns doing most of the lighting for this roof top restaurant and Arabic music playing in the background. Moment you step in here, all you see is lots of bamboo - on the menus, tablemats, table sheds and more for a village-like feel.

Sit on small chairs of choir almost touching the ground.Dont worry, the table is also at the same level. Alternate arrangements, the sofa and high-rise chairs are also available. But if you are here to try out something different.

Might as well have a change in your sitting and eating style too. Indulge and Enjoy! The lighting is equally romantic, small wax glass candles on every table. This is one of the very few eating-places, which I’ve seen that is spacious. Each table being at quite a distance from each other gives you a much-required privacy and moving space as well. You can stretch your legs and sit, almost sleep here and the next table will still be far away.

Try and avoid sitting in the center of the restaurant, get a seat by the ’’Window’’! It would be nice breezy and windy being very close to the sea face.

P.S: Even if Mother Nature doesn’t call you, Make sure you visit the LOO here. !!!!

The Ambience gets a again.

--The Service--

Waiters being over enthusiastic can also be a pain sometimes. This was the case with the waiter we had at our table both times we went there.

He would keep hovering around the table, asking again and again: What would you have next sir, try out this sir, try out that sir.

It was a bit annoying. But that chap had a ever smiling face and was a smooth talker. I think Roomali Roti was his Favorite! He asked us at least a dozen times, whether we would like to order one. But speaking of annoying someone, We would also have annoyed that chap. But he maintained his smile and service.

It was My Birthday we were celebrating, and we called him at least half a dozen times to click our snaps. He did that cheerfully.

Time taken to serve is also not very long, they make it pretty fast.

Few guys would be roaming around carrying coal with them, And they would keep on replacing the coal on the Hookah which has burnt off.

Reservation wont be necessary except maybe on weekends, though both times we managed to get a seat of our choice.

I would give the service here a

All in all, Koyla is a very different kind of place, very different from the usual restaurants in Bombay. And the service here will ensure that you have a special day.

Me and wifey had wonderful 2-3 hours at koyla, This review is also a small token of thanks to them.

I had many special things that came my way this birthday, Koyla was just one of them!

As I turn a new page on Mouthshut, This being my 21st review, would like to thank all of you for reading, rating, commenting and helping me improve my writing and for being such nice people ! Thank you ALL!

Comments welcome as usual!

P.S : In case you are wondering what the title means. Nargile is the Turkish word for Hookah !