Asha’s in Wafi, Oud Metha, Dubai - Restaurant Reviews

Asha’s

Restaurants associated with singers are usually culinary bum notes, but Bollywood star Asha Bhosle has aimed higher than most 13 Reviews

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Restaurants associated with singers are usually culinary bum notes, but Bollywood star Asha Bhosle has aimed higher than most. Although she’s not involved in the day-to-day running of Asha’s, she oversaw the interior design and personally trained the chefs for almost six months – which I’m sure is more than Kenny Rogers did at his Roasters eatery.

Judging by the starters, the musical lover of north-western Indian cuisine has trained her staff well. My murg tikka chaat was wonderful, chicken delicately tossed with green chillies, onion, coriander and sweet tamarind chutney. My companion’s papdi chaat hit similar high notes with a combination of deep-fried flour pastries, savoury vermicelli and yoghurt topped with sweet and sour chutney.

I eyed the murg makhani butter chicken across the table with envy, the meat was awe-inspiringly tender and the tomato and cream gravy was perfectly spiced, creating an impressive dish. Unfortunately my rogan josh was hugely underwhelming in comparison. The lamb was tender enough, but the brown onion gravy was bland leaving it no more exciting than the offerings of countless cut-price Indian cafés across the city. It was doubly disappointing because the waiter, who had taken the time to guide us through the options on the menu in some detail recommended it. The service at times was polite to the point of obsequiousness. It’s a shame because you get the feeling they are genuinely trying to please you – something you shouldn’t take for granted in a Dubai restaurant – but occasionally less is more.

The recommended desserts were also haphazard. The ginger tiramisu was a bold Indian twist on an Italian classic but the rose panna cotta is best avoided due to its inexplicably soapy taste. When it’s good, Asha’s is a fantastic Indian restaurant, but there are a few dodgy B-sides on the singer’s extensive menu. It’s not cheap, but the warm, inviting and understated décor makes it a wonderful place to go for a meal and if you hit the right notes when ordering, then short of a Robbie Williams pie shop, it’s unlikely any singer is going to open an eatery in Dubai that tops this.

The bill (for two)
Murg tikka chaat Dhs30
Papdi chaat Dhs31
Rogan josh Dhs53
Butter chicken Dhs53
Saffron rice Dhs24
Butter nan Dhs12
Raita Dhs22
Ginger tiramisu Dhs31
Rose panna cotta Dhs31
Bottle chardonnay Dhs145
Total (including service) Dhs432