Hotel Persian Darbar, Byculla

Mumbai Food Diaries- Mutton Rann Biryani @ Hotel Persian Darbar Byculla

Gastronomic funda:  Mutton Rann Biryani at popular Mughlai restaurant in Mumbai

Address: Persian Darbar Byculla, Mumbai (Click for Google map Coordinates)

Meal for 2: 600 onwards

Cuisine type: Mughlai, North Indian, Chinese, Biryani

Gastronomers: Irish Pereira, Garry Lobo, Ronald Dmello, Samson Dmello

Damages: Rs. 2300 (including 18% GST)

Ambience: 4 out of 5

Food: 3 out of 5

Service: 3 out of 5

Prologue: We had a plan to visit Mohammad Ali road during Ramzan. But due to some or the other reasons, the plan could not materialize. However after that we had planned to go for Iconic Rann Biryani. Now 'Rann' means Loin portion of lamb and it's unique meat texture makes it one of popular meats.  And there are very few places in Mumbai serving it like Persian Darbar at Byculla, Shalimar at Bhendi Bazaar etc. But out of the lot, Persian Darbar stands out for its Mughlai cuisine and so it made it into our gastronomy list.

As planned we were to go for this food trek in the evening after work wherein it was decided that we gather directly at Hotel itself at 7 pm from one's respective offices.

As Mutton Rann Biryani is one of such dish which can be called as Group dish. Its serving quantity is such that it requires 4-5 persons to finish it. So as planned, all of my brothers were to avoid any miscellaneous eating in the evening so that we can finish the Rann Biryani single handedly.

I reached the venue by 7:15 pm. The hotel is popular and any lay man will direct you the address to it. It is just parallel to flyover just outside Byculla Railway station on East side.

When i reached the hotel, two of my brothers had already reached the venue and were settled in the mezzanine floor. The restaurant's ambiance was of Arabic theme. I was surprised to know that they out hunger had ordered and gulped a Manchow soup (which we had decided to avoid). One has to plan for effective gastric/ belly space for such an group dish. Moreover we were running short of additional person as the quantity is  for 5 persons effectively. we were  plan But they had lost to their hunger pangs that they could not hold any longer. However they had ordered for our Rann biryani, which was ready by then . There we were again waiting for fourth accomplice to appear there. After 15 mins of waiting, he arrived. The steward there was signalled to get our meat for the evening. He promptly nodded and there it was !!!

Our Gastro team

In its first glimpse,  it was huge steel platter containing slightly conned white biryani rice layer decorated with tomatoes and eggs.

Seeing our game our eyes twinkled. Now was the moment to pounce on menu we have been salivating since the time we had entered the venue.

Mutton Rann Biryani @ Persian Darbar

After thanking God Almighty for the same we started of with salad and eggs on it. We all started digging from our respective sides. The top white rice layer was followed by masala rice layer.  Underneath masala rice lays Mutton Rann drenched in spicy thick gravy. The masala was judiciously used ..not to spicy not to bland.

The mutton Rann was succulent and juicy. It had retained it's aroma from charcoal grilling. The bone marrow was however was not that soft and hence we couldn't relish on bone marrow. The meat had its different texture.

However the gravy beneath seemed to be very thick and seemed somewhat oily and starchy to begin with. However it was good when mixed with white rice above.

As being hungry we initially ate in hurry only to slow down later. For liquid to occupy the free spaces between in belly, we ordered for Fresh sweet lime soda instead of soft drinks. The combination of spicy Rann biryani with cold soothing lime soda seemed good and so much that we repeated it again.

Within half an hour of gastronomic moments, we were almost full and there was hardly anything left leaving bones and some thick masala.  We were filled almost to the brim and couldn't take anything more. There we had to drop our plan of having firni - another speciality for dessert.

The final scene

For of those who would like to go for mutton Rann Biryani in future, make sure you have at least a group of 5 heavy eaters. We four of us had to really press ourselves to finish the platter,  so that nothing is wasted.

Epilogue: To sum up it was a good evening spend in at one of iconic Mumbai hotel with some good meats and cheerful good people.

Disclaimer: The above restaurant in review was personally visited by Irish Pereira wherein he has paid for the full bill & does not believe in featured / sponsored reviews. The reviewer believes in anonymously visiting a hotel to present an honest account of all the factors to you.

Happy Eating, Keep Exploring!!!!