Kebabs and Kurries...best lamb biryani in Mumbai

I am Bohri Muslim, that should say it all about how i cherish and understand what is a good Lamb Biryani. Having grown up in the queen of suburbs Bandra of Mumbai and attended several functions where biryani was served. I am aware of the details that make for a good biryani. Why did i include Bandra is because it represents the famous 'Hotel Lucky Biryani', then there are small places like Jeff etc which churn out decent briyani's.
All said and done i have been brought up on eating biryani's be it with plain rice or the colored one. Over the years Mumbaikars have started appreciating chicken biryani for various reasons--cost effective, easy to cook, ease of availability.
My quest for good lamb biryani took me to the most talked about place, Kebab's & Kurries---in short KK. This is a restaurant housed inside the ITC Central-Parel a five star, in Central Mumbai. Online they boast of cooking in Brass handi's and on charcoal fire etc. The description made me curious to visit the place. So me and my partner headed to KK on November 17, it was my birthday. I had one thing in mind either i will spoil the evening or make it.

As soon as we entered we made it clear to the attendant Mr Gupta that we are here to have the lamb biryani. He was very pleased about it and said that is one of our specialities, though everything on a limited menus is good this is one of our signature dishes. So we said bring it on.
To start the rendezvous we ordered Chicken Angara, large chunk of chicken pieces marinated and cooked in a tan door and dipped in Pure Ghee and Butter. The plate has six large pieces and we could eat only four. Pheww it was heavy. I HAD SKIPPED LUNCH THAT AFTERNOON.
Then came the Lamb Dum Biryani, in a ceramic bowl with dough all around the rim to ensure the freshness does not fizzle out. For the detailing part---It is basmati rice with very few masalas added, good quantity of lamb, no dry fruits or spices likes elaichi, clove added separately. But the taste of all the flavours is evident in the food. The lamb has bone marrow pieces...Big thumbs up. No potato pieces as is put in Bohri, Bengali and Lucknow style of biryani making. But the richness of the biryani is clearly seen when you realise that your fingers are laced with Pure Ghee. The quantity is sufficient for two persons. It is served with raita which i don't think you should take.
Since it was my birthday we had a complimentary cake as dessert but if it is not yours then go for the Shahi Tukda or the Firni. If your eating like a Nawab then dessert cannot be a sizzling hot brownie.
Well coming to Indian standards the price is on the upper side but if your a food connoisseur then you wont mind. Or else its like the Maruti add..Kitna Deti hai..
As for the ambiance well all star hotels have some what similar ambiance and decors. As for me at some places the food makes the ambiance irrelevant. Service at KK should match up to Taj standards they are a bit weak on personalization with the guest.

PS: Chicken Biryani is rice with a leg piece and cannot be called Biryani.

The Jewel Box by the Koshy's

Bangalore now Bengaluru, the city which was once upon a time a sleepy little village, in the state of Karnataka, has grown out itself over a decade now. People situated in Electronic City, Yelahanka, Hossur road, White Field, hardly come to the Central Business District (CBD) of the city---MG road or Commercial Street. Extended suburbs of the city have malls and gated communities, which is a factor in dissuading them from coming to CBD, add traffic chaos and work in progress on roads.

However, over the years what has stayed in the city for which its locals vouch for is the Jewel Box by the Koshy's situated on the South End of M G Road. The quaint place is divided into an AC/ Non AC section. A place most visited by city based journalist's, advocate's and other professionals who can take an hour out of their busy schedule to enjoy the savories offered by the Koshy's. 

I visited the fifth metro of India, in September, my first visit, my host a couple having stayed there for over eight years was kind enough to take me around the city. I insisted that we go out for lunch to a local eatery and be introduced to the culinary excellence of Karnataka. So we three were standing outside the door of Koshy's after a small struggle to find a parking place in the busy streets. Right, we enter the A/c section, of the Jewel Box mostly for family crowd and for those who want to have a meal. On the left is the non a/c section with steel chairs and wooden tables where the professionals with an hour to spare go, either to sip on chai or eat kheema pav or a pint of beer. 
The right side is more of a proper restaurant with cushion sofa, wooden tables with glass tops a bar and side bar chairs for all kind of patrons. We were greeted by an old attendant who seemed to be associated with Koshy's for a long time. The first question he asked me seeing my condition which was a bit here and there due to the long car journey was "Will you have a beer or something cold to drink" That made me so relaxed and homely, after placing the order for drinks we moved to starters. Fish and chips and chicken dish was superb. Then the main course included daal fry jeera rice for me. The fillings are large and food is of high quality. I know i haven't shared anything on the food but this time i am saying....GO AND CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF AND WRITE BACK TO ME WITH YOUR EXPERIENCE. highly recommended place for any meals of the day at a reasonable cost.