ed down and Kong Poush has been set up by atleast a few of the people who had opened the earlier place. The restaurant "Poush" still exists on the Western Express highway on the road to Ahmedabad, but from the clear "We are not associated with the resort" answer that we got from the management, I figured that the decision to part ways was not the most amicable.Anyways, KongPoush tries to deliver the authentic Kashmiri experience and almost over does it in some areas. The restaurant is on the 1st floor after a not very impressive entrance. As you take the stairs to the 1st floor you get to see the effort that the owners have taken in the decor. There are two types of seating, one is the regular tables and chairs, made of cane and with glass tops, the other more grandiose option is the Shikara which I guess is meant to replicate the Kashmiri boats which ply on Dal Lake. The customers opting for the Shikara have to take off their shoes, sort of climb in to the gaddi's that are kept and sit babu style/ cross legged to have the meal. I have never actually sat on the Shikara but it definitely adds to the restaurant ambiance on the whole. Where I feel Kong Poush overdoes it are the windows that they have painted on the walls, the paintings are scenic views of the Dal Lake and the Himalayas - nice idea but it does not really work. The waiters are well dressed and take pains to serve you well, one thing I really liked was the way they gave the water to be used for washing your hands after the meal. The water is personally poured by a waiter onto the bowl kept in front of the customer from a container with an elaborate snout, a nice slightly royal touch.
The food at KongPoush is delicious to say the least, they take their food very seriously and like to inform you on the preparations, the menu card itself is a very nice meal. Kong Poush serves Kashmiri preparation borne of both the Kashmiri Pandits and the Kashmiri Sunnis. There are very elaborate wedding meals as part of the menu, which are essentially thali's with a number of mouth watering preparations. One can also order a-la-carte which was our preferred option. We started off with two glasses of Kawa - Kashmiri tea with a unique flavour and highly recommended - it set the meal right up. For starters we ordered "buzith kokur kanti", kokur is Kashmiri for chicken, the dish is a sort of a mild Tandoori chicken, less Masala a bit more lime and not as well grilled as the Tandoori preparation is. Very good! For main course we ordered "KongPoush Batta" (saffron rice) and Mutton Goshtaba, the combination was the highlight of the meal and is truly outstanding. The Goshtaba which is basically meat ground really fine after softening with herbs and using a mortar and pestle. The mince has to be really fine and not the mince meat variety. The same is then rolled into meat balls and cooked in a very light curd based gravy. It is a difficult dish to make, but the taste is outstanding, the Goshtaba is a must have if you are visiting KongPoush. The gravy is slightly sour and the waiters are apprehensive before serving the same and recommend a tomato based preparation, but if you really relish meat and like sampling different cuisines, the Goshtaba is the dish to sample.
An outstanding dinner/ lunch option in the midst of one of Mumbai busiest suburbs, KongPoush is a must try!
A meal for two at KongPoush without drinks will cost you approximately Rs 850/-
How to get there: Kong Poush is off the Goregaon link road. You have to take the right on Goregaon Link road after crossing the Goregaon Bus stop (if you are driving from Andheri towards Malad). As you are driving look for a sign towards your right. That said the turning is slightly difficult to spot although KongPoush has a large banner fluttering on the main road. You might have to try a few times, if you are 200 m away from the Goregaon Bus stop you will have missed the turn. After turning right Kong Poush is on the left of the road around 75 m from the Link Road.
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