With our foster dog recovering from a long overdue surgery (always spay and neuter your pets, people!) I hadn’t planned anything significant for the weekend.\u00a0 In the end, this was a good idea.\u00a0 Friday saw Hubs enjoying golf in the beautiful February weather which Dubai likes to offer, and me monitoring our little patient and generally catching up on things before a busy week ahead.\u00a0 Thus, having heard positive comments about the recently opened Indya by Vineet<\/a><\/strong>, I braved the marina (something I do on a bi-annual basis only) for a Friday night visit.\u00a0 In the 13+ years, I think this was actually our first visit to Le Royal Meridien Beach Hotel, which was clearly in the stages of the late late brunch crowd (yikes!).<\/p>\n

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Turning right from the lobby on the ground floor is Indya, and once inside, color pops everywhere.\u00a0 My favorite feature had to be a giant pink elephant on the wall (you might better know him as Ganesha, remover of obstacles — still waiting for him to get a few things out of my way).\u00a0 The restaurant is also home to an outdoor terrace, and other little nooks and crannies, along with seating to make anyone feel like a Maharaja\u00a0(or Maharani).\u00a0 The ‘by Vineet’ mention in the title of the restaurant alludes to award-winning Chef Vineet Bhatia, who offers this about the recently opened venue: “Indya is an opportunity to have fun with Indian food, to challenge perceptions and introduce new ingredients to age-old dishes. I guess you could liken it to an expression of my roots and respectfully breathing new life into the food I grew up with.”<\/p>\n

We’re walked through the cocktail menu, which offers concoctions\u00a0not seen elsewhere in the city — really, the drinks are super creative.\u00a0 Obviously, my knowledge of India is more limited than it probably should be, but we were assured by our expert server Ruby that each region of the country could lay claim to a specific beverage.\u00a0 For the record, my favorite was the not too sweet\u00a0Sabse Chotta Bhim<\/em> and Hubs’ was the Don’t Wait for Diwali<\/em>.\u00a0 Props to naming all of the drinks, because the puns and creativity add to the attitude.\u00a0 I encourage you to do as we did, and try a few — prices range from AED38-AED68, and traditional cocktails are also on offer.<\/p>\n

As we turned our decision towards food, in a way I’ve not seen many menus do, the approach is quite simple.\u00a0 Starters, mains, and other dishes are all listed for a set price — broken down ‘from the earth,’ ‘from the land,’ and ‘from the sea.’\u00a0 As you would imagine, there are quite a few options for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.\u00a0 To start, we split a chaat — one of four to choose from, all priced at AED35, and then nibble on some delicious Crispy\u00a0onion bhajias,<\/em>\u00a0AED55.\u00a0 Of our other starters, there was a mutton dish which I didn’t overwhelmingly love (mutton as a protein rarely does it for me), as well as a samosa style dish that lacked texture, and, while trying another delicious cocktail, we mulled over what to order for mains.<\/p>\n

While we want to be Basics\u2122 and settle for Butter Chicken<\/em>, Ruby urged us to try something different and I’m glad we took her advice.\u00a0 Our favorite dish of the evening is the KFC (Kerala Fried Chicken<\/em>, AED65), which delivers a nice spice, and an excellent preparation (the serving is made of two fried chicken drummettes).\u00a0 For our curry, we liked the\u00a0Chicken Habibi<\/i>, AED65.\u00a0 While the cook on the shrimp in the Prawn Stew<\/i>, AED75 was good, I wanted the sauce to be a bit thicker and perhaps with a bit more depth.\u00a0 We accompanied the mains with rice and naan (including our favorite, Peshwari), because how can you not?<\/p>\n

Overall, when I add up all the small things during our evening, Indya delivers and more.\u00a0 While it would seem so easy to put forward a diverse menu, priced well, with knowledgable\u00a0service, and upbeat experience, the reality is that many a Dubai restaurant\u00a0leaves me wanting for some (or more) of these items.\u00a0 And sure, Indya isn’t Tresind<\/a> (or Tresind Studio<\/a>), but they don’t need to be.\u00a0 Sometimes honest food can just be honest food, and in Dubai there is room for both.\u00a0 Enjoying a slightly elevated homestyle experience doesn’t take away from another style of dining.<\/p>\n

Would I go back to Indya by Vineet?\u00a0 Although I tend to avoid the marina (like it’s my job), yes, I would happily return for drinks or food.\u00a0 Really, this is a lovely little spot that does right by its customers for value for money and service.<\/p>\n

Who is Indya\u00a0by Vineet best for?\u00a0 If you have any interest in Indian food, Indya delivers (not literally, but figuratively).<\/p>\n

A to Za’atar was a guest of Indya by Vineet.\u00a0 Opinions are my own, just ask my husband.<\/em><\/p>\n

Where is your favorite homestyle Indian restaurant in Dubai?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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