Shiv Palace (Matunga West)

Just another beer bar

Hovering with flies and with very poor lighting, Shiv Palace is hardly the place that looks welcoming to a first-timer. Yet it has its band of loyals who haunt the place for some IMFL even on a Sunday afternoon. In fact, a solitary man entering Shiv Palace automatically prompts the steward to place a glass with a stirrer on the table in anticipation of a not-so-solid order. However, if one dares to disappoint the man and ask for only a biryani (and a Pepsi, when asked if he would like something to drink), the risks are many. For one, the order is lost somewhere in the kitchen amidst the alcoholic demands, and the steward, when reminded, often comes apologising and setting himself 5-minute deadlines. Once the biryani arrives, of course, the presentation (on an elliptical plate), the taste and the after-effect (an intermittent feeling of heaviness inside, thanks largely to the generous spice mix) make it indistinguishable from the fare of the Lunch Homes spread all over the city. So, if you are in the habit of taking a little drop now and then with your lunch, this is the place to be. However, if you want a more holistic dining experience, cross the road to vegetarian Ganga Vihar.

Ambience                ★
Service                    ★★
Presentation            ★★
Taste                      ★★★


http://mumbai.burrp.com/listing/shiv-palace_matunga-w_mumbai_restaurants/1221351287