Jalsa, Mughlai restaurant at Marathalli

Eye-candy. That was my takeaway from Jodhaa-Akbar. Hrithik, of course (oh man, that totally extraneous solo scene with a sword!), but also the droolworthy jewellery, the fabulous costumes and the sets that almost rivalled the protagonists in their aesthetic perfection.

That’s why I’m glad I discovered Jalsa. It’s actually housed in a white fortress, with liveried durwaans in colourful kurta-pyjamas and Jodhpuri chappals. The interiors are reminiscent of a Mughal darbar, complete with glittering curtains and red-blue-green lights. No Aishwarya singing Manmohana — they prefer old Hindi melodies instead — but the aroma of hearty Mughlai fare quite took my mind off that absence.

Under flamboyant domes and intricate arches, my partner and I studied the extensive menu: soups, salads, kebabs, biryanis, rotis, mithai and thandaai. Ravenous as we were though, we skipped the starters and went straight for the lamb biryani. Tender and aromatic, it kept us happily engaged through the musical evening. We washed it all down with some excellent thandai. But what we really enjoyed was the ambience and the relative privacy that encouraged conversation.

Now if only Hrithik (bare-torsoed, of course) had been there on the menu.

Jalsa, 25 Outer Ring Road (next to Grand Mall), Marathalli, Bangalore 37. Tel: 9845175777, 32425757. Meal for two: Rs 600.