"We offer the best tandoors in town. And what more you can even watch while your tandoor gets done at the 'The Frontier Grills'," says Mohan Das, proprieter, Neelam's Pratishtha, The Pride of Dining. Inaugurated by Madhuri Dixit on August 18, 1997, the restaurant's ethnic ambience owes itself to artefacts and remnants of an old palace in Jodhpur. Das, armed with an ICS London certificate in Hotel & Catering Management, has been in the restaurant business abroad since 1974 and today has set up his restaurant business in Mumbai. According to Das, "Centuries ago, the concept of the restaurant probably developed when the brother of Louis the XIII of France visited a local bistro run by an attractive woman. Word of appreciation spread through the countryside, and the local gentry soon began frequenting the bistro, to rub elbows with the royalty. The concept of elegant dining had begun."

Pratishtha, the exclusive fine dining restaurant, is suitably situated at Chembur, and offers a variety of authentic cuisine from regular Moghlai food to a spread of Chinese delicacies with delectable Tandoori fare. This eatery has a seating capacity of 55 on the ground floor and has been designed for 65 persons on the mezannine floor, which doubles as a banquet hall on weekdays. A lot of thought has been given to space, and maintaining just the right amount of privacy between tables.

The restaurant offers attractive schemes and discounts for their clientele. From Monday to Friday, it offers Happy Hour discount of 20% from 7 pm to 9 pm. Ladies can enjoy an evening at the restaurant with 33% discount on food bills every Wednesday. You can dine with candle light on Thursday night. You can also take away a quality economy lunch, best suited for both budget and appetite, at Rs 60/-. There's more - banquets can be planned up to 60 persons, special menu for Kitty Lunch, courtesy valet parking, free home delivery with 10% waiver and orders for outdoor catering are welcome.

The restaurant has economically designed vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus for groups. Some of the exotic cocktails available are: 'Jump Up and Kiss Me' (an exotic blend of Malibu, Cognac, Cointreau lemon juice and pineapple juice), 'Passionate Kiss' (Vodka, Rum, Peach liqueur, orange juice) and 'Aku Aku' (dark rum, white rum, liqueur de cafe', coconut cream). The barman at Pratishtha recommends exciting mocktails, 'Anaita' (Orange juice, lemon juice, angoustra and soda water), 'Pratishtha Paradise' (orange juice, creamed mango vanilla), 'Rainbow' (Khas syrup, granadine pineapple juice, orange juice, fresh cream), 'Green Cooler'(Khas syrup, teem homocise mint) and 'Shirley Temple'(granadine, lemonade, fresh cream).

Check out their Indian starters from the appetising Lasooni Dingri, Aloo 65, Rujali Kebab to the Crackling Vegetable. The main course remains incomplete without the Murg Lahoori, Tawa Dingri, Masala Lobster, Sabzi Chef Ki Pasand, and the Bhindi Choori Choori and sizzling sizzlers - Marino Cottage Cheese Sizzler, Stuffed Chicken Flambe Sizzler or the Glorini Mix Seafood Flambe Sizzler.

The next time you are in Chembur, make sure you appease your palate at Neelam's Pratishtha.

Pratishtha's Valentine Day Special: The restaurant plans to organise a great evening for young couples at Hiranandani to wine, dine and dance the night away.

Address: Neelam's Pratishtha, 77, 2/2 Mukti Nagar, W T Patil Marg, Near Amar Cinema, Chembur, Mumbai - 400071

By Anupama Vinayak