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Valentine's Day: Love At Meena Bazaar

  • Foreign Return 527 Crown Street Surry Hills, NSW, 2010 Australia (map)

“When god separated the two lovers, little did he think that it would become the talk of the town”.

Love is in the air at Foreign Return. We’re paying an ode to the gilded Mughal era this Valentine’s Day, to bring you the story of Shah Jahan and his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Legend has it that young prince Khurram (who later became Shah Jahan) charmed his future wife at the royal Meena Bazaar.

Shah Jahan is known for creating the most-well known testament to love in the world, The Taj Mahal, for his wife after her untimely demise.

While we can’t promise you a glorious monument, we can certainly treat you to a night of opulence, channeling the grandeur of the Mughal era. Our menu is inspired by dishes and flavours from this celebrated period in Indian history. Join us as we weave a story of lovers, where the past and present intertwine for an evening of exceptional food, beauty and history.

Celebrate the one you love with this incredible menu for $129 per person (shared menu + arrival drink).

T&Cs: *1. Full pre-payment is required to confirm your booking.
2. Table will be held for a max of 15 minutes after booking time.
3. We ask that any cancellation to your reservation be made no less than 48 hours prior. For no-shows or late cancellations, you will be subject to the full amount being charged for your booking.
4. We cater to most dietary requirements provided we are notified of your dietaries minimum 72 hours in advance. Whilst all reasonable efforts are taken to accommodate dietary needs, we cannot guarantee that our food will be allergen-free.
5. Please be advised that all bookings will enjoy 2-hour seating time.

Non-Vegetarian Menu

  • 'Nawab' is a native from Uttar Pradesh who came to Delhi 2500 years ago, bringing this rose, watermelon and milk flavoured drink. We're toasting all the lovers with this intoxicating concoction.

  • Lamb mince, banana chilli, spices.

    The twilight of Mughal civilisation began with Shah Jahan who continued a strong relationship with the Portuguese along trade routed. This led to the introduction of a new ingredient in the imperial kitchens - chilli.

  • Tandoor roasted chicken, tandoori masala, kewra water. Legend has it that Mumtaz Mahal made her way into the heart of the emperor by serving him these special kebabs. So is the Taj Mahal a requiem for love or an ode to the passion of his life – kebabs?

  • Goat, poppy seeds, almonds, vark.

    A characteristic Mughal dish, kormas origins can be traced back to the 16th century. This famous 'white korma' is believed to have been served to Shah Jahan at the inauguration of the Taj Mahal.

  • Tiger prawns, spices, saffron, aged rice.

    Mumtaz Mahal was a creative person who truly left her mark on history. Among her many interests, she was an accomplished cook, and it was her culinary adventure that led to the creation of the world famous dish - biryani.

  • Falooda, flavoured kulfi, petha, syrup

    Shah Jahan ordered his chefs to create something as pure and white as the Taj Mahal, and thus the petha was born. The melody between different sweets shows the love and affection Shah Jahan had for Mumtaz Mahal.

 

Vegetarian Menu

  • 'Nawab' is a native from Uttar Pradesh who came to Delhi 2500 years ago, bringing this rose, watermelon and milk flavoured drink. We're toasting all the lovers with this intoxicating concoction.

  • Jackfruit, whole spices, gram flour.

    Shah Jahan liked to enjoy his food, spending long hours at dastarkhwan. A lover of aesthetics, Shah Jahan’s kitchen was an exhibition ground of boundless creative energy and finesse.

  • Cauliflower florets, yoghurt, spices.

    The Mughal Feast is a translation and reworking of Nuskha-e-Shahjahani , a handwritten Persian manuscript from the royal kitchens of Emperor Shah Jahan.  Begum Mumtaz Mahal used to accompany her beloved husband to each place, making them both inseparable.

  • Cottage cheese, tangy tomato sauce, masala.

    A labour of love and a true artists masterpiece, this dish is a myriad of colours and flavours created by the cooks for their beloved emperor and empress.

  • Mixed vegetables, almonds, fried onions, spices.

    Nav is the Hindi word for nine, while ratan means gem or jewel. This opulent dish means ‘nine gems’ and is a decadent celebration of dried fruits and nuts and nuts, used to create a rich and creamy curry.

  • Falooda, flavoured kulfi, petha, syrup

    Shah Jahan ordered his chefs to create something as pure and white as the Taj Mahal, and thus the petha was born. The melody between different sweets shows the love and affection Shah Jahan had for Mumtaz Mahal.

Earlier Event: January 21
The Great Indian Brunch
Later Event: June 1
New Menu Launch