Indulge in an enrapturing new spectrum of Indian cuisine at Mahec , a title which stands for Modern Authentic Hindustani Evolved Cuisine. The restaurant is elegantly decorated with touches of regal deep purple and a richly ornate crystal chandelier which hangs in the main dining room. Located at Le Meridien Village, a bit outside of Dubai’s bustling city center, a visit to Mahec is worth the journey. Enjoy innovative Indian cuisine, knowledgeable staff and an impeccable sommelier who will couple each dish with the appropriate wine.
I didn’t quite know what to expect as I ventured out to Garhoud to try Dubai’s newest take on modern Indian cuisine. I was pleasantly surprised as soon as I entered Mahec’s smartly decorated interior; the restaurant appeared at once warm and welcoming as well as sophisticated and serious. Such a juxtaposition was further reinstated with the announcement and description of various menus and the appearance of expert sommerlier Florian Konrad.
My guests and I were intrigued as we listened to the extensive vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus conceptualized by Head Chef Bharath S.Bhat and then the wine pairings by the sommelier. The Chef explained to us that each dish had its origins in traditional Indian cuisine dating back a few centuries but was prepared with a modern twist. What was to come was a high-class and memorable culinary experience.
We began our five-course gourmet meal with a pre-starter of potato and chick pea vermicelli chaat and orange, ginger and lemon sherbet paired with 2008 Santa Caterina Sparkling Chardonnay from Central Valley Chile. Delicately sweet and fragrant wine, the taste stays on the tongue and effectively balances the sweet and salty nature of each dish.
For the main starter we had a zesty mustard chicken tikka with chili cauliflower and Tandoori lobster paired with 2010 Kim Crawford Savignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand and a sweet and tangy lemon sorbet with grass flavored vodka. Such distinct tastes couldn’t have better prepared our palate for the main dish of a choice of lamb, chicken and prawn biryani with Dal Makhani, Raita and a variety of delicious home-made naan breads paired with a full-bodied 2008 Chateau Lacroix, Bordeaux Supérieur produced by Chateau Teyssier in St. Emilion, France. A wine of 85% Merlot and the remainder Cabernet Franc, it nicely balanced the meat dishes especially the lamb. The prawn biryani was exquisite and a personal favorite but may have been better paired with a light white wine.
After such a feast we were informed that we would soon receive the Chocolate Surprise for dessert. We couldn’t imagine what this could be. Soon after, a beautifully sculpted chocolate ball appeared floating in a what appeared to be a thin yellow liquid. When I dove my fork into the ball it graciously collapsed spreading out and merging with what I discovered was a sweet pineapple and staranise sauce- quite a performance with a unique and riveting taste. We were also treated to Masala chai and petit fours as well as a 1995 Cherry vintage Eau-de-Vie from Schladerer, Germany to complement our sweets.
A meal which epitomized the art of culinary invention, Mahec is nothing short of superb.
The restaurant can be reached from Garhoud Road in Dubai, situated at The Meridien Village inside the Le Meridien Hotel in Dubai
Open for lunch throughout the week from 12.30pm -3.30pm and for dinner from 7pm -12am. On Thursdays and Fridays diners can enjoy an extended opening from 7pm -1am.
+971 4 702 2615.
