Indian Jewel Restaurant
Týn 6, 110 00 Prague 1
Staré MěstoPrague
Owner: Sanjeev Wadehra
11am-11pm open

http://www.indianjewel.cz/
ind.jewel@savic.eu
+420 222 310 156

The Indian Jewel is located in the center of Prague just behind the Tyn Church in the Ungelt, a closed square of Renaissance buildings which once served as the traders' courtyard where they could safely secure their animals and wares.

Because it is just off the hectic route of tourists that swarm the Old Town Square before the Tyn Church, it is well worth the short walk up the narrow alley Tynska leading behind the Tyn and through the gateway that opens into the courtyard. On the right you'll see an old well with a pump which stands just before the door of the Indian Jewel Restaurant. You can read the menu on the outside of the door and admire all the awards posted on its showcase including Trip Advisor. You've arrived at the right place for a delicious meal served with generous hospitality.

All the ingredients for the food are imported from India. This is particularly important for the spices and herbs that they retain their authenticity. The oven is located just behind the desk so you can watch the bread being made on the inside wall of the oven. It is traditional Indian oven that is made of stone and shaped like a keg, insulated by hemp. The oven reaches temperature of 500 C. You are in for a treat of savory Indian food.

Sanjeev Wadehra came to Prague as a manager working in the Taj Charles Hotel in Malostrana. His experience as a hotelier led him to open his own restaurant originally on Parizska in 1996, but in 2002, Prague and his retaurant was flooded. In 2009, he opened the Indian Jewel in the Umgelt and furbished it with all things Indian including the beautiful marble inlays on the wall and the furniture. It's a step into another world.

The luncheon menu is a day special that is rotated through the week with lunch beginning at 11am and closing at 4pm. The menu is a full meal with low price of 109 kc with enough food to share with your friends. The menu for the day was Murgh Tikka Masala, masala with grilled chicken, onion and tomato paste; Potatoes Samosas, a deep-fried pastry stuffed with potatoes and Indian spices; Rogan Josh, lamb cooked in an onion yoghurt sauce with Basmati Rice. In addition, just to keep you from starving, there was Tandoori Murgh, an Indian specialty of chicken marinated in yoghurt and saffron. Dessert was Gulab Jamum, milk dumplings in sugar syrup with rose water. Decadence doesn't come so easily elsewhere. The food is aromatic, spicy and unforgettable. Small details are artistic with tomatoes sculptured into rose and lotus shapes. Don't look for boring gulash and Czech dumplings in a greasy spoon when you can dine in heaven at the Indian Jewel. The food is served on individual dishes for communal sharing. Indian tea is served with a blend of selected spices and milk. The effect of décor and food with excellent service and gracious hospitality is as close to Nirvana that can be found in the dull, drab Prague winter days.

The Indian Jewel doesn't just serve the local neighborhood and transient tourists that stumble into the hidden courtyard of the Ungelt; they also deliver lunch orders to the businesses in the nearby districts.

Although wintry outside with overcast skies, the warmth of the restaurant was particularly welcome and by the time I left, very full with hungry locals. Although the opening hours are from 11am-11pm, there are no warning bells or impatient waiters to hustle you out the door. If you come in late and linger, the staff is there to offer hospitality which makes it the ideal place to have a group dinner or party as very small details will be attended to diligently.

The menu offers chicken and lamb as well as full vegetarian meals. The tables are lined along the walls which offers group socializing and communal sharing. During Indian holidays, the restaurant offers small specialty dishes as a way to share with the world the richness of Indian culture.

As a restaurant it is aptly named The Indian Jewel.

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