Pastel Potpurri: An Evening with African Flavours

The Food, the Ambience n of course good company is always a promise for good times…....!!!

Eating out is a passion for me & trying out new places in the city adds to that passion. UZURI Deck & Dining, offering a perfect fusion of African - European experience is a newest addition to my list. Dinning @ Uzuri at the start of the festive season with my very favourite friends, Gauri & Kartick was truly an amazing experience.

'Uzuri' coming from Swahili, literally meaning 'goodness' is justified by what UZURI Deck & Dining had to offer.

Spread on the first & the second floor of the bustling GK 2 M Block Market, the first impressions of this restaurant & especially the Deck were quite nice & kept me busy clicking pictures of the place. Perfect for a private party or a lazy sunday lunch in winters, the ambience at the deck is warm & pleasant. The interiors with a wonderful play of props & colors of the African wilds, the jungles & the animal prints is interesting. The african music in the background adds to the feel of the place. Not to miss the warmth the humble staff offers, further makes the whole experience of dining here very alluring.

We began our journey into a mesmerizing evening with a delightful palate teasers and a mix of insanely delicious mocktails. Sea Bass & Kaffir Mojito were my kind of drinks. Their liquor license was still awaited and was expected soon!!

Not only the menu of the restaurant was appealing to the eyes but triggered the taste buds too. To start with, we were served with freshly baked warm breads along with a selection of specialty butters - Garlic, Paprika & Pesto. Though Pesto butter was interesting but Garlic butter is my preferred choice always. Since we had left the menu choice to the Chef, we were served the best dishes on offer. Amongst the other appetizers, Cape Malay Fish Cake with Saffron Mayo & Nutty Capers deserves a special mention. Mustard Lamb Shoulder with Wild Spinach & Hazelnut Salsa Verde was certainly cooked to perfection in 48 hours. Spicy Chicken & Roast Carrots, Pickled Onions with Chilli Creme Dressings as its name suggests was a little too spicy for my palate but will do justice for all those who love an extra dash of spices :)

The salad selection was indeed different. Trio of Beetroot & Goat Cheese Mousse, & Toasted Pumpkin Seeds served with Warm Bread and Beetroot & Cream Dressing, where the 'trio' came from Beetroot cooked in 3 ways - salted, pickled, & braised was according to me like a miniature portion & a little too expensive for the price. Cocoon prawns & Feta Cheese with Parma Ham & Melon Vodka Dressing was refreshing.

Our Main course was a mix of Pressed Pork Belly, Apples Cider Mash & Warm Fennel & Star Anise Jus; African Spiced Leg of Lamb, Braised Radishes, Mint Crusted Potatoes & Caramalised Onion with Confit Garlic & Caper Jus; and Coffee Paprika Crusted Tenderloin, Truffle Compound Butter, Marrow Roast Potatoes & Seasonal Vegetables. The selection was tempered with African spices, giving all the dishes the perfect texture & crunch they required. The medium-rare done Tenderloin proved that the Chefs @ Uzuri take their meats seriously!! Pork Belly was delicious & one of my favourites from the evening. The Main Course portions were satisfactorily big and full.

For the Desserts, we had Vanilla Panacotta with Raspberry Coulis and Chocolate Soil, Semi Frozen Truffles with Caramelised Nuts. I thought the desserts were a little low in making me go drool-drool-drool!! Would love to have more options in chocolate & fruity African creatives in the dessert section.