For a die-hard foodie, nothing can be more thrilling than finding amazing food in some of the unlikeliest of places. Here is my story of how it happened with me. I had a meeting coming up in Nagpur. When I started researching food options in Nagpur, something I always do, sometimes for days, before visiting any new town. My research (and information my friends gave me at Gurgaon Foodie) led me to the realization that there is a sizable Saoji community in Nagpur. Now I have loved Saoji mutton in Pune and Hubli so this was exciting news. Further research revealed one Jagdish restaurant as the most famous one for this food and mutton curry, khur and the exotically named Sundari as the must try dishes. There was no real information as to what these dishes were.

So in Nagpur, once the meeting is over, I confidently tell this colleague of mine who has spent his entire life in Nagpur to guide me to Jagdish. His barely concealed derision behind the mask of politeness makes me think twice. So I ask him “not good”? “NO sir” is his straight reply. Instead he takes me into the heart of old Nagpur and through a dingy, narrow and rickety staircase to a restaurant time had forgotten, with an ancient gent, bent up with age being the serving staff and some people deeply engrossed in digging into their mutton curry. This is one of the oldest restaurants in Nagpur and totally away from the tourist radar.

                Narrow Staircase                                         Price List

The ordering takes a few seconds, and the food starts arriving piping hot a few moments later. Sundari (Rs 120) is the obvious starting point. Sundari is essentially goat skin that has been treated and cooked to make it taste divine. It is perfectly cooked and really really addictive. It comes with its own brothy gravy which is more spicy than anything I have had, apart from Naga food. Though it is goat skin, it is not chewy, and is very easy to eat.

                                             Sundari

Next to come is khur (Rs 80, half plate) which is a very different version of our paya again with its super delicious gravy. Khur is very different from the paya I have had in Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. It is still on the bone and rather delicious.

                                             Khur

Mutton curry (Rs 80, half plate) and keema kaleji (Rs 80, half plate) have similar masalas but totally different taste and texture.

                      Mutton Curry                                        Keema Kaleji

Both are delicious, eagerly mopped up by me with home-style roti (Rs 6), as beads of perspiration by now are liberally flowing from all facial orifices. I have the accompanying rassa with rice ((Rs 35, half plate).

                                         Rassa

I gingerly step down the stairway, flushed with joy and all the spices. This has been one of the most enjoyable meals of my life. Hot, really spicy and diverse. This goat paradise is a good enough reason to return to Nagpur. Next time I have to try mundi (goat skull) and also my dear sundari!

The review was anonymously done after paying for the meal.

Ratings (Out of 5)

Food: 4.5 | Ambience: 3.5 | Service: 4.5 | Value: 4.5 | Overall: 4.5

Meal for two: Rs.500 | Alcohol: No | Credit Card: No | Wheel chair friendly: No

Address: Ganjakhet Chowk, Panchpaoli Road, Nagpur, Maharashtra. Telephone: 09527809958, 08149915266