Shagun Restaurant, Sea Princess Hotel, Juhu – Review

Strategically located in the heart of the city and overlooking the ever-popular Juhu beach, Sea Princess Hotel enjoys one of the best locations in Mumbai. The five-star boutique hotel has much to enthral you with its luxuriously appointed sea facing rooms, banquets and three restaurants  - The Lagoon, the Princess Lounge and Shagun.

Shagun Restaurant, Sea Princess Hotel., Juhu, Mumbai

Here’s the review of Shagun, Sea Princess’ multi-cuisine restaurant created around a warm Mughal theme:

The ambience: Fine paintings, an opulent chandelier, wooden furniture welcoming reds and whites... the restaurant spells a Mughal theme. The live ghazals by Asif Iqbal and Pappu Lutch smoothly blend into the evening and when they sing your requests, you know what it would have been like to be a part of the Mughal Darbar.

Chef Kaikoy Bokdawala

The food: Kaikoy Bokdawala, the chef at Shagun, has taken enough care to create an elaborate menu to please both the vegetarians and the non-vegetarians.

We stared the course with Jaljeera (a refreshing cumin drink) and Tomato Pudina Rasam (essentially tomato soup). Now as these are perfectly prepared, they raise your expectations for the preparations to follow.

For starters, we tried Kebab Gul-e-Gulzar (vegetarian) and Murg Malai Paan (chicken). Kebab Gul-e-Gulzar tasted just fine, but the consistency did not quite satisfy the palate. Murg Malai Paan surprised us with its interestingly different flavour but the chicken could have been softer. However, the amazing green chutney made up for all of that!

Murg Malai Paan

Kashmiri Mutton Rojan Josh, our choice for the main course, is a treat to the taste buds. The rather spicy dish is something we would order again in our next visit. Dal Peshawari, a black dal preparation served in a little bowl completely satisfies the dal lovers. Paneer Lababdar (a cottage cheese preparation) though needs to be still more ‘lababdar’.

For dessert, we opted for the Moong Dal Badam Halwa, but something was amiss here too.

Kebab Gul-e-Gulza

Service and staff: Shagun’s hospitality is worth a mention. The well-trained hotel staff offers prompt and impeccable service. They would not constantly hover around you, something that we personally dislike. Yet, they would be right there when they must be. The service is prompt. Perfect!

Washrooms: As I always mention in my reviews, I believe that if the washrooms of a restaurant / hotel are separate for men and women, clean and with all the necessary amenities, the hotel is good and maintains complete hygiene. I was not disappointed at Sea Princess.

Shagun Restaurant Rating: I would give the restaurant 3 on 5.

SHAGUN TRIVIA

Chef Kaikoy Bokdawala and the live ghazal singers Asif Iqbal and Pappu Lutch are associated with Sea Princess for over a decade.

Shagun was earlier known as Orient. The restaurant was rechristened and the ambience converted into Mughal theme early in the year 2010.

Click here for the official website of Sea Princess Hotel and know more about Shagun and the other restaurants of the hotel.

Location and contact details: Juhu Tara Road, Juhu Beach, Santacruz (West), Mumbai - 400 049.Tel: 022-26469500 , 91 22 26611111 / 6692 4455. Email: seaprincess@vsnl.com

- Review by Anuradha and Mrinal