India has one of the most popular cuisines in the world, and rightfully so. The sheer diversity of the South Asian country lends itself to a rich food culture, mostly defined by the generous use of spices and aromatic herbs.
Although the Philippines, where I come from, shares the same cultural variety, Indian food has always felt a little intimidating to me. However, after visiting Pincode at Dubai Hills Mall, I have a better understanding of why the cuisine continues to have a stronghold on people's palates all over the world.
Of course, the fact that it's the magnum opus of celebrity chef Kunal Kapur immediately inflates expectations of the new venue. Thankfully, that star power is backed by a strong concept, and dishes that capture the depth of Indian cuisine.
What to expect and where to sit
The name of the restaurant is inspired by India's expansive food offerings. Every area of the country is represented by a six-digit code in the Indian postal system, and every one of these zones and districts has something of its own to offer.
The decor is also inspired by India's heritage, mimicking an ancestral house with hardwood furniture and portraits on walls. The idea is to capture the country's vibrant food culture in a cosy environment that feels like home.
Restaurants inside shopping malls have this unique challenge of transporting diners to a different setting, and Pincode's earthy interiors don't fall short in creating that illusion. I comfortably tuck myself into the middle of the venue, just a few tables from the entrance. While cosy, gold accents offer an element of grandeur, and a large bar at the back of the room whipping up mocktails for diners offers a touch of old-fashioned glamour.
The menu
I ask head chef, Vinay Trilokya, for his recommendation because for an Indian cuisine novice I need all the help I can get.
I start with chaat hummus served with baked namak (Dh30), which is immediately what I expect: an explosion of different flavours and texture. The creamy paste is given another life, with sweet, tangy and spicy notes, accompanied by the crunch of the crackers.
I also try the tandoori chicken tikka (Dh50) and the signature KFC or Kerala Fried Chicken (Dh45), both of which come cooked to perfection. While the chicken skewers are soft and tender, the KFC has a crunchy batter packed with a strong, earthy flavour.
For the main course, I try the creamy spinach with burrata and pickled onion (Dh50) and a hot, creamy bowl of butter chicken (Dh60). As a Filipino, I would naturally usually take both dishes with rice, but I opt for bread instead, ordering the butter and garlic naan (Dh12), which is the perfect side choice. Soft, chewy and charred in the right places, the bread carries its own weight — even without the mains, they would be filling enough.
For dessert, I try the crispy vermicelli with coconut payasam and banana caramel (Dh25), which even for someone with a very sweet tooth, was a little too sweet.
Standout dish
The creamy spinach with burrata is the surprise standout, and I enjoy one too many naans to ensure I mop it all up. While rich and creamy, it remains light and fresh, with the buttery burrata perfectly complementing the spinach.
I will also be back for the naans alone.
A chat with the chef
Pincode, which opened in January, is Kapur's comeback to the restaurant industry after closing three restaurants across the UAE and India because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The chef, who appeared in the Indian franchise of American cooking show MasterChef, hopes to get back to what he loves doing, serving good food to people at an authentic restaurant. He plans to open two more Pincode branches this year.
The restaurant's concept alludes to Kapur's childhood, being exposed to his father's and grandfather's cooking. Every dish has a story, and Kapur aims to “bring back memories”.
“The goal is for each dish to evoke nostalgia within and make you feel as though you've travelled back in time,” he tells The National.
Pincode's menu looks busy at first glance, but that's because Kapur wants to capture the depth of Indian cuisine, from the North's velvet curries to the coastal South's fresh seafood. He says he wants to introduce more regional dishes to highlight the diversity of his home country.
“We touched a lot on South India's cuisine, which is probably not as popular in the Middle East as North Indian cuisine,” says Kapur.
Kapur encourages diners to ask questions about the menu, as well leaving their comfort zone to try something new — which I can now also recommend.
“Take your chances. Order whatever your gut feels,"he says. "This is always a nice way to get acquainted with a cuisine.”
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Read more about the coronavirus
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Panipat
Director Ashutosh Gowariker
Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment
Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman
Rating 3 /5 stars
MATCH INFO
Norwich 0
Watford 2 (Deulofeu 2', Gray 52')
Red card: Christian Kabasele (WatforD)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
RESULTS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
India squads
Test squad against Afghanistan: Rahane (c), Dhawan, Vijay, Rahul, Pujara, Karun, Saha, Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Umesh, Shami, Pandya, Ishant, Thakur.
T20 squad against Ireland and England: Kohli (c), Dhawan, Rohit, Rahul, Raina, Pandey, Dhoni, Karthik, Chahal, Kuldeep, Sundar, Bhuvneshwar, Bumrah, Pandya, Kaul, Umesh.
ODI squad against England: Kohli (c), Dhawan, Rohit, Rahul, Shreyas, Rayudu, Dhoni, Karthik, Chahal, Kuldeep, Sundar, Bhuvneshwar, Bumrah, Pandya, Kaul, Umesh
Zayed Sustainability Prize
THE SPECS
Aston Martin Rapide AMR
Engine: 6.0-litre V12
Transmission: Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic
Power: 595bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh999,563
Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
FIGHT%20CARD
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
