Old chicken in a new handi

'New' restaurant Pateela is actually another name and management for the Malad branch of good ol' meat mecca Kareem's

'New' restaurant Pateela is actually another name and management for the Malad branch of good ol' meat mecca Kareem's

The mention of Kareem's brings back memories of wooden tables and chairs looking out to an open kitchen where you can watch the chef at work or the man in charge of rolls whacking meat onto rolls with a giant cleaver, the delicious aroma of Chicken Shawarma, biryanis and kebabs overwhelming other scents, and the manager rushing between doors to hurry the cooks and waiters into quick service.

So, it was with a heavy heart that we decided to lunch at Pateela, which has opened in place of the Kareem's outlet above electronics kaleidoscope Croma.



The familiarity relieved us. Pateela has the same ambience and d ufffdcor as its predecessor brick-finished walls, tin garage lamps, glass kitchen, low wooden furniture and French windows tinted magenta looking out at the electronics store downstairs.
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The googly came with the laminated menu cards there is practically no difference in the dishes on offer. Later, the owner informed us that a change in management is the only new thing, besides the name. Kareem's regulars, rejoice.

The Non-Veg Thali made us happier still. For Rs 195, the waiter placed on the table two kebabs, salad, pickle, jeera rice, rotis, dal, chicken curry, aloo subzi and papad, making the thali complete value for money.

Tandoori Mutton Champ (Rs 259) was executed with a degree of simplicity and excellence.

House special Chole Bhature (Rs 139) included humongous bhaturas with a spicy, dry version of chickpea masala while the Murgh Lahori (Rs 189) we paired with buttery Makai Roti (Rs 29) had soft boneless chicken but an overkill of tomato.
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We tried to get photographs of the fare, but the cheapskate management spurned our photographer away, citing "the food will be wasted after it's shot".

The one thing Pateela hasn't inherited from its forerunner is good manners.
At Level 1, above Croma, Palm Spring, next to D'mart, Malad (W). Call: 28806888
Pateela didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals.