Contemporary Deli dining that you’ve never experienced
Paying homage to the many street vendors in the bustling cities of India, Modern Tailors Restaurant has crafted an experience that you will not find anywhere else in the country. The eclectic, contemporary design is reminiscent of a busy deli diner, with stunning art on the walls and a cacophony of colour that sets the scene for a foodie adventure like no other.
If you’re expecting a traditional Indian dining experience with copper pots and curry on most of the menu, then you’ve come to the wrong place. Chef Gerald Chetty and his team have crafted a unique offering that is creative, interesting and oozes with flavour.
Our experience began with a selection of divine delicacies from the Small Plates portion of the menu that included their signature Gunpowder Wings. Don’t let the name fool you. The wings are spicy, however like the rest of the dishes on the menu, the chefs have taken their time to balance flavour and spice. There’s nothing worse than biting into a dish and the heat is so overpowering that flavour is lost. It is definitely not the case here.
For mains, they recommended their very popular Goat Sali Boti. This is a classic Indian-Parsi curry that incorporates goat meat on the bone that has been simmered until deliciously tender in a lightly spiced, slightly sweet aromatic tomato and onion sauce. The dish is then topped with crispy potato sali. All we can say is: Wow! What a winner.
Next, we indulged in their Tandoori Platter which incorporates several elements of the traditional Indian street grill. The meat has been expertly prepared and marinated to ensure maximum tenderness and flavour. There is a selection of chicken tikka, Hariyali tandoor chicken, skinny chops, and lamb sheesh kebab. The platter is accompanied by crispy masala potatoes and MT’s chutney. Chef Gerald also gave us a taste of his secret chili dipping sauce that isn’t on the menu. If you’re brave enough then we highly recommend you ask him for a taste. Hot, spicy, and incredible.
Sadly, our flavour adventure had to come to an end at some point, but not without a little sweet treat to close off the night. For dessert we dived into a delectable slice of cheesecake with an Indian twist. Layers of honeycomb complemented the soft cream centre of the cake. Two dipping sauces were served to the side, bringing the entire dish together. The first is a rose reduction syrup and the second, a pistachio sprinkle. As with everything else on the menu, the cheesecake is a one-of-a-kind dish that we’ve never tried before, and we will definitely be heading back for a second slice.
Our journey through the flavour-filled streets of India – right in the heart of Rosebank – was an exceptional ride and one that will linger on our taste buds for a long time. Modern Tailors is currently sitting at the top of our list of leading restaurants in Joburg, and for very good reason!
