Situated on the busy Al Kuleiah Street in Al Khuwair, #968 The Food Studio is in a league of its own. An independent structure, the restaurant is unmissable with its red brick exterior and sparkly signage. What stands out instantly are the enormous glass panes which double as walls, that give you a sneak peek into the resto’s glorious interiors.
As we stepped in for lunch, we were greeted by smiling staff, stone grey walls and some of the quirkiest art depicting busy Indian street life. We sat down with Deepak Daryani, Owner, and Head Chef Rohit More to talk about the restaurant, gearing up for its grand opening during Eid this month. As we settled into an upbeat chat, their zeal for their new venture and enthusiasm to feed Oman some of India’s best street food made it evident that this space is a labour of love!
Let’s talk décor – the interiors of the restaurant are divided into two sections. The relaxed café-style seating area features accent chairs, pouffe ottomans and small round tables, perfect to enjoy a cup of chai served with glucose biscuits or some fresh coffee as the sun dips. The other section houses a dining area – more family oriented – complete with black metal shelving accents complemented by dark wood tables and rattan and wooden chairs to give it that rustic, industrial vibe that is so on-trend. The large windows flood the space with plenty of natural light, creating an airy feel, while the modish Edison-style bulbs tie the entire place together and promise a warm glow, come night-time.
There are so many wonderful things about #968 The Food Studio… Open from 12pm–12 am on weekdays and 12pm–2 am on Thursdays and Fridays, the eatery is just the place to go, should you need a delish midnight snack. They provide board games for friends to enjoy in the coffee section and make all their breads in-house and swear off the use of MSG.
The menu is a beautiful ode to Indian street food. It is a compilation of street-food faves like Vada Pav and Dabeli, dishes from popular haunts like Ayub’s Naan Rolls and Babu’s Egg Corner in Mumbai, and Moolchand Paranthe Wala in Delhi along with thin-crust pizzas with an Indian twist – topped with Hyderabadi Keema, Chicken Tikka and Paneer Schezwan. Not to forget the Maggi Stop, which serves up the comfort classic in several refreshing avatars. There’s nostalgia and fond memories tucked into each bite for the Indian street foodie; and for the newbie, a journey to gourmet heaven awaits!
We started our meal with quenchers – a zingy Kala Khatta Goti Soda (also known as Goli/Banta Soda), a refreshing drink served in a Codd-neck bottle with a closing mechanism involving a glass marble held against a rubber seal. Along came the Masala Thumbs Up, a fizzy cola mixed with a unique in-house spice blend. We also had the Lotus Biscuit Milkshake, a recommendation by the Head Chef, which, quite simply, wowed us!
Fun fact – the juices and milkshakes served at the restaurant come in environment-friendly, branded glass bottles that can be carried home and reused.
We were then served Cheesy Paneer Cigar Rolls with Sweet Chill Sauce. A must-try, the rolls were stuffed with a lush cottage cheese filling. The Paneer Tikka Naan Roll was reminiscent of the famous Indian Kathi Roll, and the Mirch Malai Tangdi (chicken kebab) was cooked to juicy pink perfection. If you are a spice lover, be sure to try ‘Call 9999’, a dish of chicken wings served with a Bhut Jolokia (the hottest chilli in the world) sauce.
Then came the amazing Aloo Parantha served with yogurt, Dal Makhni, Chana Masala and a Raw Mango Chatni that was to-die-for! Stuffed to the brim with a spiced potato and fried in desi ghee, the Parantha was a definite stand-out. The Thai Me Up Maggi was cooked in a creamy Thai Curry sauce with crunchy vegetables and served with a slice of toasted Kadak Pav.
A focal point of the menu at #968 The Food Studio is the ‘Bowl Bachan’ section – an assortment of single-serving combo meals served up in a bowl. We tried the delicious Keema Pav (spiced mince and bread rolls); the Paneer Schezwan and Hakka Noodles, a beloved Chinese-Indian preparation; and the sublime Khow Suey – a dish of noodles in a Burmese curry with several condiments such as roasted peanuts, fried onions, browned garlic, coriander, spring onion and chilli flakes.
The desserts were fun, fun, fun! The Jenga Tower – a tower of brownies built like the famed Jenga game and doused in chocolate and butterscotch sauces is a chocoholic’s dream! The Irani Cream Caramel was rich and smooth and creamy. And the Double Ka Meetha Pudding – a concoction of golden fried bread, layered with condensed milk and rabdi (an Indian milk-based sweet), and baked to succulent pudding-like consistency – stole the show!
An absolute stunner of a space, coupled with an unparalleled family dining experience, #968 The Food Studio has got to be on your must-visit list!