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Biryani in a flyer

RAHUL VERMA savours Lala `n' Paaji's chicken and mutton biryani in East Delhi and is still licking his lips

Illustration: Tony Smith

Being a biryani freak, I am always on the lookout for new biryani places. Which is why, I was really happy when Hyderabad Biryani House opened up in Delhi a couple of years ago. Sadly, the outlet near our house downed its shutters almost as soon as it had opened up. So, I was forced to resume my trips to Old Delhi, or sometimes Andhra Bhawan, for a regular supply of biryani. Then, just the other day, I got a flyer with my newspapers. Usually, I practise basketball with the junk that comes in - I make a ball out of whatever is being advertised and throw it from a distance into the waste-paper basket. Let me tell you, I'm getting to be quite a pro at this.

But this particular flyer caught my attention for two things. One, I saw the word `biryani' on it. And two, because of the name of the enterprise. Lala `n' Paaji, said the small piece of paper, were selling Hyderabadi dum biryani. I liked their sense of humour, and put the flyer aside. And then, a couple of days ago, I called up the number listed there and placed my order. The menu card was not an epic - it was, on the contrary, more like a haiku. There were just four items listed there: chicken biryani (Rs.35), mutton biryani (Rs.40), vegetable biryani (Rs.25) and fruit cream (Rs.20).

I asked for a plate of chicken biryani, two mutton biryanis and two cups of fruit-cream. Since the vegetable biryani is a contradiction in terms, I ignored it. Let those who like their peas and potatoes order their vegetable biryanis - I won't do that even if I am placed in front of a firing squad.

Our food was delivered within 30 minutes. And the one who carted it for us was Paaji, alias Tarun. A young man who was earlier in an export house, Paaji says he opened this little place with Lala (alias Kapil) because they both liked their food. Lala was the chef, and knew the intricacies of a Hyderabadi biryani. So the two got together to bring biryanis into the hungry lives of residents of I. P. Extension.

For home delivery

Lala `n' Paaji, which opened just a few weeks ago, is located near Mansa Properties in Balco Market.

I quite enjoyed their stuff. I love Hyderabadi biryani, and don't think this was the genuine article, but the biryani was tasty and spicy. I liked the fact that the meat pieces in the biryani - both mutton and chicken - were soft and boneless. Crusted with masalas, they gave a tangy touch to the meal. I squeezed a lemon over my biryani, and liked it even more. Each helping is good enough for two moderate eaters. The fruit cream - with pomegranate seeds, mangoes, etc - was rather nice, too.

Way to go, Paaji and Lala. Remember, that's how The Oberoi's started!

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