A mixed bag of tales and spices

If you want to eat authentic biryani and hear the story of how it came to be on your table, head to Shezan

Go on an empty stomach if you want to do justice to the menu of Shezan. The restaurant’s food is all about divinely marinated meats and succulent spices – be it Mughlai, Continental, Chinese, or North Indian cuisine. But what makes customers keep coming back for more, and yet more, is the restaurant’s renowned aromatic biryanis and succulent steaks.

Shezan’s biryani is the perfect pot of the traditional dish — layered rice, meat marinated in authentic spices, and completed with generous helpings of herbs, saffron, milk and ghee.

It’s steak, the other wonder of the restaurant, is succulent, well cooked and the sauce is just right. A customer highly recommends this on a food app review. “One word – amazing. If you’re looking for a place to have steak, this is the place to go. I tried their steak, Diana. It was hands down the best I’ve had in a few years. Coming to the steak, it was cooked perfectly for order, tender, juicy, all the good stuff. The staff is really kind and helpful,”

But there are as many favourites as there are palates. This popular multi-cuisine restaurant also serves some neat special tawa chops and egg chilli. And if you’re not into the usual loaded biryani, try its biryani rice. The restaurant’s chicken sandwich has the perfect balance of mayonnaise and cabbage, and it just melts in your mouth.

Shezan’s food is like home-cooked comfort food. No added colours or unnecessary preservatives to distract from the flavours and feel.

The restaurant is not large but many customers dig the homely and comfortable setup. “It is a cute cosy place on a very busy street with a warm décor to peacefully have our meals,” writes another pleased customer online. “It is a very good place and the food is awesome. The service is also very nice. The staff is courteous and the ambiance is very nice,” says another customer.

The landmark restaurant flung its doors open in December, 1989. At that time it was on Lavelle Road. The family legacy of the late Saleem Sait is now carried forward by his son Altaf Sait at the outlet on Cunningham Road.

Shezan is just not a restaurant, it’s a food destination for people who have sampled its dishes and hospitality. Adding to the charm of the place is the laidback owner Altaf, who can be seen circling the tables sharing tales about dishes on the menu and the changing face of Bengaluru.

If you’re missing old Bangalore, this is where you should head. Shezan will provide you excellent food, a cosy ambience, and a friendly dinner host — all under one roof.