Naya

[vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Naya is a North Indian restaurant located in Jumeirah Beach Hotel and celebrated it's one year anniversary recently. Unable to join in with the celebrations, I dined there a few days ago after receiving an invite to sample their newly launched menu. I've dined at Naya before and really enjoyed the location, food and presentation so was delighted to return. Taking advantage of the last of the clear cool evenings before it gets super hot and humid, we choose to dine outside on the terrace view views of the Burj Al Arab and the hotel gardens of the Hotel.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_text_separator title="My Highlights" border_width="3" el_width="70"][vc_single_image image="21979" img_size="400 x 400" alignment="center" style="vc_box_shadow_border" title="Dahi Puri"][vc_single_image image="21980" img_size="400 x 400 " alignment="center" style="vc_box_shadow_border" title="Lamb Chop Masala"][vc_single_image image="21981" img_size="400 x 400" alignment="center" style="vc_box_shadow_border" title="Dessert Platter "][vc_images_carousel images="21982,21983" img_size="355 x 355" speed="4000" autoplay="yes"][vc_text_separator title="Coffee Sign Off " style="shadow" border_width="3"][vc_column_text]It's rare for me to finish the evening with a good coffee, since most hotels seem not to be able to provide good food and good coffee. Naya was an exception with coffee which I really enjoyed. Drink of the night was this lovely Americano.[/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title="" border_width="3" el_width="80"][vc_single_image image="21984" img_size="400 x 400 " alignment="center" style="vc_box_shadow_3d"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]Our menu choice, was mostly guided by the team, who informed us that they had listened to regular customer feedback over the past year and as a result have added additional vegetarian dishes to the menu since many of their customers are returning customers. We started with drinks from the menu, an iced mango tea for me and a lemon grass and ginger mocktail for my guest. Both were flavourful and were served without syrup at our request as we often find drinks too sweet.[/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title="Appetisers" border_width="3" el_width="80"][vc_column_text] Who can resist Dahi Puri Chaat? to start with? Certainly not me, loved the crispy shells and the tart chutney and elegant presentation of an item which can sometimes be a let down if the wheat puffs get too soggy. There was a small arm wrestle over who got the fifth one, I know items on a plate look good in odd numbers, but when there are two diners, personally I would have preferred a portion of equal numbers as this isn't' really something that you can half and share. We also had the Naya Non Vegetarian Kabab Skewer which is served on a brass grill. There are four skewers to chose from : Murgh Malai Kabab, Murgh Tamatari Tikka, Mutton Seekh Kabab, Tandoori Prawn with the Mutton Sheekh Kabab being a firm favourite. The chutneys served alongside it were a great accompaniment, tangy mint sauce with a hint of spice, sweet mango chutney and a spicy tomato chutney were all eagerly mopped up, along with a basket of crispy papads which hit the spot perfectly. [/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title="Main Course" border_width="3" el_width="80"][vc_column_text] We started with Naya Lamb Chops Masala which is one of the signature dishes on the menu, and is one that had left me drooling just reading the menu before we set out, it did not disappoint. The chops are marinaded for 24 hours leaving them beautifully tender served in a Punjabil style robust yogurt masala with Char smoked spices, this dish was my favourite of the evening and the masala gravy was eagerly mopped up in some soft buttery naan bread. We also tried one of the new dishes Murgh Lal Mirch Masala (Chicken morsels, spicy red pepper masalas, fresh ginger and coriander), loved the spiciness of this dish and the balance of the red pepper masala was clever yet not overpowering. A new addition to the menu, and one to suit vegans, was Palak Tofu consisting of Tofu, garlic tempered spinach gravy, chilli oil. Tofu is not one of my favourite dishes as I'm not a fan of the texture, but the spinach gravy was gratefully added to the naan. The final dish, since neither of us eat rice was Dal Makhani. I've had this dish before and it never fails to impress, to be honest if I just ordered this and a basket of naan bread I would be very happy. The dal consists of creamed black lentils, roasted potato puree, dry fenugreek and a dollop of butter, probably two from the rich taste of this dish. [/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title="Dessert" border_width="3" el_width="80"][vc_column_text]Indian desserts are often too sweet for my palate, but the mixed platter is a perfect balance, bit sized portions of Gulan jamun, rasmalai, mesaria kulfi, yoghurt and jaggery ice-cream are always a crowd pleasure and light enough that you leave the table feeling a little bit dessert virtuous.[/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title="Signing Off ... " border_width="3" el_width="80"][vc_column_text]Tasty North Indian food served beautifully. Whilst sharing seems to be the norm these days and actively encouraged, it's always difficult to do when portions are served in odd numbers and you are dining in even numbers - though the 'at table arm wrestling is always fun ! Get a table outside on the terrace and you can enjoy Naya's great location. Attentive service and lovely view plus some great tasting food and presentation, though I can't help thinking that the prices have increased since our last visit and are a little expensive if you order a meat heavy meal (always appreciating that you pay a premium to dine in a 5 star hotel with a great view).[/vc_column_text][vc_separator align="align_left" border_width="3" el_width="80"][vc_column_text] Naya | Jumeirah Beach Hotel Tel : +971 4 432 3232 Email : Restaurants@jumeirah.com Details HERE[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Disclaimer : I was an invited guest. As always all views and opinions are my own, as are the images which were taken during my experience.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]