In a city where culinary fusion too often loses itself for the sake of novelty, Layla is a true success story, creating a taste experience that is at once authentic and brave. Their recently launched ‘Indian-Terranean’ Tasting Menu by Chef Dolev Maymon is not only a sequence of dishes; it’s a carefully crafted tale where the piquant flavours of India converge with the airy sophistication of the Mediterranean. Ms. Shrishti Jaiswal, Editor in Chief of TheStyle.World had the privilege of tasting this special menu recently—and it’s fair to say, this is one relationship worth indulging in.
The meal started with what Layla rightly refers to as the Prologue, a considerate lead-in to the tale to come. Here, Indian hospitality was in beautiful balance with the pungency of Mediterranean herbs. The contrast between rich Indian spices and piquant Mediterranean produce was a synergy that differentiated this menu right from the word go.
Among the early hits was the Jerusalem Bagel with Masabaha—a smooth chickpea treat that complemented the chewy, sesame-crusted bread perfectly. But then came the Koji Dosa, which really caught us off guard. A well-known South Indian staple reimagined with koji fermentation, it added a hint of umami kick that levelled up the dish to something new yet old-fashioned.
As courses went on, the menu kept unveiling itself like the chapters of a romance. The Burnt Eggplant with Moong Dal and the Wild Fish spiced with Kashmiri Chilli demonstrated the chefs’ proficiency at stacking rich Indian spices with a Mediterranean flair. The balance was noteworthy—powerful yet not overbearing, creative yet respectful of its heritage.
The seafood dish was a highlight for me. The Needle Squid, accompanied by a smoky Mashwiya, tamarind, and buttermilk, brought depth and brightness in equal proportions. This was succeeded by the decadent Blue Swimming Crab with sweet corn and campfire potatoes. A fun, homely dish, this was quietly finished with the Kala Chaat spice, uniting excess with familiarity.
Into the mains, the Confit Chicken with sumac and caramelised onions brought a hearty, home-cooked richness, while the Duqqa Rice with paneer, saag, squash, and Mangalore cucumber delivered a bright, vegetarian celebration of Indian produce from a Mediterranean perspective. Each bite was hearty but refined, exactly matching comfort with culinary skill.
No love tale is complete without a sweet conclusion, and Layla fulfilled that promise with a showstopper: Knafeh with saffron kaymak, khoa, and pistachio masala. The rich-textured dessert with its exquisitely nuanced sweetness was a perfect ending, one that spanned recollections of Indian mithai and the crisp sophistication of Middle Eastern sweets.
The experience was completed by considering wine pairings, selected from the outstanding collection of Grover Zampa. Soirée Brut Chenin Blanc, Vijay Amritraj Réserve Viognier, and Late Harvest Chenin Blanc added exactly the right balance of acidity, fruit, and warmth to accompany the changing flavours of the meal.
Layla’s Indian-Terranean tasting menu is more than a sneaky mash-up—it’s an ode to common heritage, creativity, and ingenuity. In each dish, you’ll see a tale of cultures merging—not as adversaries, but in sweet, delicious harmony.
When you’re ready for a love story in spices, textures, and imagination, Layla awaits you at the table.
