Jaffer Bhai's Delhi Darbar, Marine Lines

Jaffer Bhai's Delhi Darbar is indisputably one of the best Biriyani offerings the maximum city has to offer. The fare from Jaffer Bhai is a slap in the face to all those (a few years ago myself included) who think that Mumbai does not have good Biriyani. I believe Biriyani should be the national dish of the country as while the essential ingredients - rice, saffron, meat, (substitute cauliflower for my vegetarian friends :p) remain the same, the subtle variations and innovations that each region of the country brings make the Biriyani their very own and in most cases their favourite preparations. As Indians we celebrate unity in diversity and we are proud of our Indianness, we also celebrate our Biriyani, the Indian Biriyani although the Dindigul and the Lucknowi preparations are as different as a Brahmin from Trichy, is to a Nawab from Lucknow. Jaffer Bhai's - who call themselves the Biriyani kings of Mumbai, offer a really sumptuous Mumbaiya Biriyani.
The decor is one of the most well done up you would find in a non fine dining Mughlai restaurant in Mumbai, the seating is comfortable and the A/C works fine. The service is also very well-meaning if not very efficient. The last time we were at Jaffer Bhai's we ordered, Paaya (they had mentioned in the menu that it was Mumbais best), Chicken Neza Kebab, Garlic Naan, Mutton Korma and the Mutton Biriyani. All were fantastic preparations and memorable apart from the Mutton Korma which was good without being exceptional. The Paaya at Jaffer Bhai is not a soup, my aborted attempt to have it like one resulted in a bit of a choke with the spice being a bit much to be had like a soup. It however went very well with the Garlic Naan and would be outstanding with a Rumali, the mutton stock is just outstanding as are the Paayas or the hooves, extremely tender and very delicious. The Chicken Neza Kebab had a strong flavour of Ajwain in it and the spice gave a completely different flavour to the preparation, it worked very well with the chicken and was fantastic to taste. The Biriyani was typically Mumbai, if you look at it thinking that it is different from Kolkata, Lucknow, Hyderabad you will be right, but guess what it was incredibly tasty and I thought it took the best out of the Lucknow and Kolkata versions and added a bit of oil and spice to add the chutzpah that made it Mumbai's very own Biriyani. Long Live India and Long Live Biriyani! Jaffer Bhai also has a section on the menu called the Arab menu which I have to sample on my next visit there. I really did not have space to try a morsel more on my last visit!
A meal for two at Jaffer Bhai's Delhi Darbar without drinks will cost you approximately Rs 600/-
How to get there: Jaffer Bhai's Delhi Darbar is on 1st Marine Street, opposite Metro Gol Masjid. The Masjid is a pretty decent landmark, I drove there the most simple way to get there would be to drive North on the road beside Churchgate Station. Just drive past the railway tracks and look left. You should be able to spot the Gol Masjid bang on the middle of the road on one of the rights near Marine Lines. Jaffer Bhai's is right next to the masjid.