— Rashmi Uday Singh

ZITAR

Modern Indian

Its birthday time folks! Today’s column is dedicated to celebrating birthdays and to new beginnings, be it the birth of a eatery, the  rebirth of another or the start of an exciting food walk. I love birthday celebrations and these get even more special when they’re for our strong heroes. But the treat of treats is celebrating birthdays of two readers who I met on a blind date for the very first time (please see photo), the joy of secretly requesting for a cake and candle and then watching the joy on their faces. My birthday wish? New and renewed joy, health, prosperity, fulfillment and the victory of good over evil, love over hate, of good values over materialism and ofcourse may life be series of miracles punctuated by great meals.

ZITAR

Before you read any further, please study the accompanying photograph which Ive shot. Do you see a giant tap? That’s because we are in the “Bathtub” (the companion bar to “Zitar”) Both brand new entrants on the Powai scene. So, what do you get when you cross a sitar with a guitar? A Zitar, a fusion instrument created by Niladri Kumar and also name of Powai’s new Indian restaurant. I popped in here on a blind date with the vivacious friends, Marketing whizkids Vidya Sinha and   Pallavi Rao.  Charming banker Godlevea Perreira  came from Vikhroli.

We were told that the contemporary twist given to the classical sitar is what inspired the Ricky Punwani and his young partners  to add a twist to the classic Indian cuisine and serve it differently too.

Did the food deliver this promised contemporary twist?  The menu not only zig zags all over India, but even serves up pizzas (ouch). The absolute hot favorites were the “Naan turnover” a naan plump with  tasty chicken makhanwala masala and the crisp pan seared fish. However, the cheese stuffed mushroom lacked cheese, the soft masala rich round egg kababs  were tasty

A mish mash of masala the Hyderbadi garlic chicken disappointed. Mains of  Kashmiri Dum Aloo, Spice and Garlic Roasted Chicken and more.Interesting but not the most fabulous desserts (  Gulab jamun with rose flavored icecream and crisp  jalebi drizzled with chocolate).

All this in a open through the day,  minimalistic space, with dark, hardwood tables that matched the dark  floor ( great music)

Quite definitely the starters and desserts were better than the slushy main courses, and the Corporate lunch home delivered lunch (Rs 199) and the  Buffet (Rs 457) at the restaurant are great value. And I love the idea of bubbly in the “Bathtub” to celebrate our special birthdays.

G1/G2/G3 Ventura House, opposite D-mart, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, 40157888, open from 12 pm to 12 am

RATING

FOOD 3.5

SERVICE 3.5

DÉCOR 3.5

AVERAGE MEAL FOR TWO Rs 1200

FOODLINE

Thrilled. Thanks for your twitter, fb and email
Feedback. Mail (rashmiudaysingh2012@gmail.com, fb, twitter @rashmiudaysingh) or sms
(7738022873 ) to be listed here.Due to space constraint am unable to carry your messages.

READERS RECOMMEND 

Renz: The ultimate range of fabulous home made syrups (using natural fruits and natural  preservatives) great on their own and for mocktails and ice golas. Sugar free options too. Call Renuka9702010196

Kairvi Mehta from Choco Kisses supply hand made  chocolates, cheesecakes, cookies, short glass desserts, cupcakes, photo cakes, 3-d cakes, brownies, cake pops, chocolate and cookie bouquets etc. Also specialise in making festive hampers for birthday, weddings, and festive seasons Ph: 9820029065

Call Purnima Khatau for delicious cupcakes. Her icing is to die for.  Ph: 23523756

Jharna Pawani Santacruz takes orders for cakes, brownies, mouses, chocolates and lollypops. Speciality is they are eggless made from wheat which are so soft as maida. Ph: 26495240, 9869758572

For yummy cookies and scrumptious brownies specially the oreo ones call Chocoholic.  Ph: 9819146826 / 9820624679.

A Pasteleria bakes cakes, cupcakes, brownies, breads, cookies, cereal bars, desserts and snacks. For orders call Anisha 9820949975

Yasmin’s homemade mayonnaise with salad oil no preservatives kindly refrigerate. Ph: 24928681, 9820781560

Subhash recommends Momentz Cakes and Chocolates by Munira Bagasrawala for their homemade cakes and chocolates which are personally handcrafted. Ph: 9821184528

Awadhi, North Indian

Rejoice! I wish you new and renewed energy, joy, hope, fulfillment and abundance of every kind for the New Year. My friend Safdar Bandukwala informs that by a happy  coincidence the Hindu and Muslim New Years have coincided. Best way to celebrate? Counting ones blessings, thanking God, the great gourmet who tempts us with appetite then rewards us with pleasure. Many such “pleasures” follow… both in North and South Mumbai

KAKORI HOUSE

MAMTA ENGINEER, TUSHAR GUPTA DARIUS RASTAGARI (WEARING SPECS) AT KAKORI HOUSE, OSHIWARA.

Head here for the perfect Kakori kabab. It requires art and science to    marinate, hold at uniform temperatures, hand pound and then mould onto a skewer and grill. Gently coaxing the kabab off the skewer is definitely an act of love. And eating that velvety kabab is getting as close to heaven as possible. Which is exactly what my foodie readers  and I did on our  blind date. We  popped into the newly opened Andheri outlet. It is the fanciest yet, with wooden exposed beams, stone floors and wooden chairs with engraved crests. Only the red spirals on the white tablecloths distract, but lets not make too fine a point of that as the food is as good as ever.

The charming fashion Buyer Mamta Engineer (who came all the way from Churchgate) enjoys small Irani eateries in Mumbai to French cuisine in St.Tropez. The knowledgable  Tushar Gupta owns the great value Indian restaurant Almond Flower (Andheri)  and  the adventurous Darius, from Lalbaug is “a banker by profession,  a foodie by heart, tongue & stomach  and has eaten around the world.

VFM pricing (average price per dish `190), generous portions, superlative-inspiring biryanis and the softest, creamiest kebabs.  Ishtiyaque Qureishi (the son of the legendary Mohammed Imtiaz Qureishi of Dum Pukht and Bukhara fame) cooks up fragrant,  power-packed with flavour fare here. I love his no frills Mahim eatery and have been tripping out on Ishtiyaque’s biryanis and kababs for more than a decade. I feasted on the entire range at Karishma Kapoor’s wedding lunch too.

Go for the king of kababs, the Kakori (recognized by Unesco as a Heritage kabab) and the pan-fried, soft Galouti is to kill for. The flavorsome and buttery Black dal worth trying.  We try the chicken Noormahal biryani (chicken with soft, spicy meatballs) and find it not as great as the Dum gosht Lucknawi biryani.  And  the bursting-with-masaledaar-flavour Dum Murgh Masala Biryani.

Interestingly, this Kakori house has a 40% larger menu than the others and has North Indian fare (Palak Paneer, Kheema masala, butter naan and the like).There is superb  halim, (ground wheat and meat ) Nihari Gosht, though the plump, sweet Shahi Tukda is not as good. We are informed that Ishtiaque is away in his hometown (Lucknow) on his most challenging project ever…setting up a Kakori House in the centuries old Khau galli. Kakori House Marol is all set to open. May they continue to keep their price points down and quality up. May the Kakori House tribe increase.

■ Link Way Housing Coop Society, Bldg. 25,

Shop No. 4&5, Opp. Meera Tower, New Linkway Road,

Oshiwara, Ph: 64539950/51/52/53/54

Open for lunch and dinner

Food-4.00  | Service-3.50  | Décor-3  | Meal for 2- 600

MY SOBO EATABOUTS THIS WEEK

After dhanteras pooja, our entire staff and I popped into Gaylord (Churchgate) for their consistently good paneer makhanwala, lasooni palak, buttery black dal and garlic naan. Im happily surprised  to find that after several years pomelo is back in “India Jones” (Trident) and enjoy Chef Joy Bhattachary’s  tangy, sweet pomelo  salad. You just got to try Chef Huang Te Sing’s  VFM and packed with flavor Chimney soup (Oriental Blossom, Marine Plaza) and Baba Ling’s  (Lings pavilion) superlative steamed pomfret and winter beef stew. Mmmm!

FOODLINE

Thrilled. Thanks for your twitter, fb and email
Feedback. Mail (rashmiudaysingh2012@gmail.com, fb, twitter @rashmiudaysingh) or sms
(7738022873 ) to be listed here.Due to space constraint am unable to carry your messages.

READERS RECOMMEND

Babycakes Diya cupcakes make a comeback this Diwali – colourful and bright with edible glitter. Eggless options are available, Angry Bird cupcake, Olympic theme birthday cake etc. Pallavi

Sheth Ph: 9820120098

They do weddings, shoots, baby showers, sit down 5

course meals ranging from 10 to 150 people and a whole

bunch of innovative cooking of Japanese, South East Asian,

Maharashtrian, French, Italian, Mexican & American style BBQ.Contact Chinu & Christophe Ph: 9820036525

Variety of chocolates namely almond rocks, soft centers- butter scotch,

hazelnut, coffee, orange, caramel, praline and biscuit coated chocolates.

Contact Sangeeta Ph: 9619313670

For sugracrafted cakes and chocolates crafting

courses and bakes at Andheri. Call Rainbow Arts Ph:

9930900837, 26323223

From cool, crisp Delhi I send you warm wishes and light for Diwali. I situnder giant leafy trees in the garden as I write about my exciting eatabouts in Powai and Delhi and over 50 kilos of Zeba Kohli’s solid chocolate Eiffel towerrs and chocolates which Delhi fell in love with.  .

CAFÉ BEAN GARU

Bean Garu

Life gets even more exciting. Blind dates with foodie readers lead me to many a new joint. In response to my invite (in my column) to join me on blind dates, investment banker, Vishal Sharda responds with many a helpful tip on email ( cafe Bean Garu is thanks to him) but unfortunately Vishal is unaable to join us. Arkesh Ayyagiri (student of SIES college of commerce and economics, Sion) and Godlevea Pereira (from Vikhroli with a degree from IHM, Dadar) and I follow Vishals advice and pop into the gleaming Haiko mall. This superb surprise is located on the first floor, plonked by the escalator, on a verandah. It has an open kitchen which along with many a pure vegetarian Andhra dish also attempts many a mixed marriage. Start with their chilled herbal ice tea. Purists may cringe but the pesto cheese dosa actually tastes good and we all enjoy it’s crisp and unique flavor and texture. While there are experiments with unusual combinations, the regular idlis and dosas, podi tossed idlis are well made. Even the Chettinadu curry is superb, it’s the thick stew which disappoints while its accompanying spongy dosas are yum. Malabari curry, stew and curd rice with pickle Dosa also served here.

We all love the crisp melted chocolate dosa, topped with nuts. I’m fascinated to hear about Arkesh’s volunteer work at his college fest “Fantasies”(Dec 7^th and 8^th) with it’s Bollywood theme. We end our adventure without a hole in our pocket (average price per dish Rs. 70) at this reasonably priced joint.

Cafe Bean Garu,
Level 1, Haiko Mall, Hiranandani Gardens,
Powai
Call 022 4015 3258
Rs 400 for a meal for two.

FOOD 3.5

SERVICE 3.5

DÉCOR 2

MORE GOOD NEWS…

Some more good news… this one at the elegant and sprawling Italian restaurant of the Renaissance Powaii. We pop in to Fratelli Freshfor a quick checkout of the new menu as the Times Food Guide 2013,goes to press. The North Italian chefVincenzo Zizzacoaxes subtle and memorable flavors, be it the delicately poached Asian sole, spinach and citrus vinaigrette, the chicken breast with Parma ham enlivened with Chardonnay sauce or the unerringly made Irish beef fillet paired with melting Gorgonzola cheese. His home made plump cheese ravioli in brown butter and parmesan is outstanding too.Must try the dessert of fruit pie set off with fiordilatte and Marscapone icecream.

At the stylish Indian restaurant, the hugely talented Chef Surjan Singh Jolly takes over and Nawab Saheb is revamped with a new menu inspired by more than nine years of research in the age-old Royal recipes from the kitchen sof Awadh, Mewar, Hyderabad and more…. Chef Jolly’s star dishes are undoubtedly the ‘Nallika Khaasa salaan’ (chef’s world famed Lamb Stew) and ‘Daal Khaas Nawabi’. Start your royal expedition with succulent dishes like Lobster Hari Miri Angara, Kakori Seekh Sheermal, Kathael Shami, Lagan ki Pasliyan, Gosht Biryani Oudhi, and many more kebabs and curries.

■ Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, 2&3B, Near Chinmayanand
Ashram, Powai, Mumbai,
Ph: 66927540/7777/8888

PARIS COMES TO DELHI

Having gone into second print within a few months of publication, “A vegetarian in Paris” (A Times of India publication) was celebrated in a unique, flamboyant and special way by Madhu and Samyukta Nair at Le Cirque, the internationally renowned and iconic restaurant at the Leela Palace, Delhi. Le Cirque flew in special black truffles,  rare cheeses and wines from France,  and conjured amazing vegetarian dishes and delightful desserts too. Ooh! la! la!

No prizes for guessing this one. Which four letter word shrieks and chillaosout of every newspaper and magazine and is tweeted, blogged, flogged? “Food” ofcourse. And considering I started writing about food over three decades ago when it was perceived as low brow and unfashionable I must really love my work. What’s the biggest reason? Is it the gourmet fancy schmancy restaurants? Nope. Could it be cause I love eating and cooking? Yes. Or for the joy of discovery of  holes in the wall? Yes sure. But most of all it’s the joy of connecting with you my dear reader, of understanding your palate preferences so that I can deliver reviews which are relevant and accurate.And so over the years have been meeting up over many a blind date…from Bohri Mohalla to Borivili and this weekend it was Powaii and Andheri.

BLIND DATES WITH YOU
Please take a look at the accompanying photograph of my wonderful blind dates. A sentence in my last fridays column inviting you to join me in my Powaii and Andheri eatabout had me happily showered with countless mails. Except for  my old favorite reader Shilpa Chawla (who’s been in touch with me past twenty years) I met all the others for the first time. The very first to arrive was Linda Mohandas from Churchgate, Nikhil Dave the businessman turned model came next. Private wealth manager Swayam M from Malad, Chef  and foodstylish Aesha Majithia,  the friendly couples Hem and Hormaz Mistry, Divya and Sumek Gopal  joined me here. Except for Linda (who was totally dissatisfied) all the other guests gave a thumbs up to the restaurant.

FOOD
Andheri’s Nom Nom  which opened four months ago  joins a growing lot  of restaurants that attempt to apply a sexy gloss to Asian food (both the authentic and its Indian mutations). It offers a  dizzying trip of  Japan  (sushi and tempura) Burma (Khao Suey), Singapore (Laksa), Thailand (Green Curry), Indonesia (Nasi goreng ) and Hong Kong too

The signature starters of Wasabi Water chest nuts, Prawns and  Mushrooms had  “too pungent a kick ” for first timers tasting wasabi but enjoyed by the rest of us. Chewy Tofu on skewers in Terriyaki sauce (supposedly Japanese), okayish sushi and the crunchy, sweet and tangy American corn in plum sauce (Jain preparation ) was hugely appreciated.

With the coconutty, silken Veg Red Thai Curry (“Too few vegetables” carped Linda) the tone of the meal improved,  Burmese Khao Suey (“ the show stopper” Chef Aesha Majithia)though well made, could do with more accompaniments. Linda not only felt that the Nasi Goreng   looked very unappealing (and compared it to politicians with egg on their face)  but we all felt it tasted stodgy too.
It was the gelatinous and over sweet desserts (Tiramisu, Black Forest pastry, Darsaan) that none of us enjoyed.

DÉCOR

Walk into the charming alfresco area with lamps and leaves into the indoor section done up in rust and  rope-like installations to find the handsome young owner- partner-chef Dharmesh Karmokar personally taking care of all the guests.

FINALLY

If only Nom Nom did not  take it upon itself to provide something for everyone (there’s “Vietnamese” Chicken fried rice too)  and focused on it’s strengths (Thai and Burmese) and fine tuned it’s desserts it would attract even more diners than it is doing now. It serves up a pleasant, cheerful,  experience. A welcome and refreshing addition to Andheri’s restaurantscape.

NOM NOM, near Banana Leaf, Four Bungalows, Versova, Andheri (W)

Rs 1500 for a meal for two without alcohol.

Open for lunch and dinner

RATING

FOOD: 3.5
SERVICE: 3.5
DÉCOR: 3.5

Readers Recommend

Please accept my apologies for not being able to meet up on this Andheri and Powaii food-safari.
Absolutely delighted to hear from you Madhurima M, Vishal Sharda, Chandrakant Kotian, Vidya Sinha, Mamta Engineer, Godlevea Pereira, Pankti Vora, Pallavi Rao, Darius Rastagari, Nitin sumitran, Chirag sancheti, Shubha Saxena, Esha Ramawat, Mahesh Mahajan, Tushar Gupta, Monica Jhaveri, Nishant Gandhi, Dhiraj Kumar, Monali Mitra,  Kaustubh Jha, Anjali Bhargava. Do forgive me if I have missed  adding your name and do stay in touch (rashmiudaysingh2013@gmail.com, Rashmi@rashmiudaysingh.com, twitter @rashmiudaysingh).

Waitingly Yours

Have you ever heard of “night-clubbing rocking research” which goes on all night? I’m still jetlagging ( am an early bird) after partying all night with my young  expert buddies who navigate me through Mumbais latest nightclubs.I love every jammed, crammed, noisy, heady moment (Please see photos, including the one I shot balancing one on leg and standing on a sofa.)

Vibrant, gregarious Anandita De’s enthusiasm is contagious, not much of a drinker, she has an incredible passion for dance and music ( learnt how to deejay from her friend the uber chic DJ Nihal Bhatia). Ever-gallant “Night rocker” Jivesh Bhojwani  is not only instantly recognized but welcomed by the owners, managers, bouncers. He works all week in his family construction business and parties over the weekend with friends, Arwa Safri (works with Dior) businessman Mohammed Merchant, bubbly Alina Wadiwala, socialista Ronak Mehta.

Here’s a sneak peek into the forthcoming “Times Nightlife Guide 2013”

We started off at Jivesh’s “favorite Pre-party” place. Whoa! Hard Rock is buzzing and packed. No entry fee and no cover charge here. Earnest the manager smilingly greets all at the door.

Bombay Dyeing Mill Compound, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli, Ph: 24382888

F BAR

Next, we checked out the drinks and  Vineet Bhatia’s unusual starters at Mumbai’s very own F Bar which has sashayed in (of all places) into to the city’s latest high rise  business district. It has it all … Fashion TV, 10,000 sq ft sprawling into restaurant, dance floor, terrace and a long line of clubbers waiting to get in.

One India Bulls, third floor, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, 91 22 6650 5820

12.00PM-1.30AM

REN

Ren

We love it here and shake a leg at Mumbai’s first “oriental” ( laser-cut inscriptions of Chinese characters on metal wall panels et al)  nightclub by dynamic Edward Wang. Ren (“people” in Chinese) is a smallish 2800 sq ft carpet space.,has a cozy feel to it and is packed.

Rs2,500 (cover charge per couple ) No guest list involved.

Ren by China Garden

Gabbana House, 15th Road, Khar West

2600 2626

LIV

Atlast! South Mumbai’s  comatose nightlife has been injected with life…and  a will to LIV. By invitation only, this signature statement night club powered by four  mega-voltage owners  with it’s glamorous ceiling  et al sets up where “Red Light” used to be. Cant tell you more except that it was so jammed that  I had to stand on the sofa on one leg…

LIV Niteclub

LIV

Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort,

Near Khyber Restaurant

6634 6248

Open  Wednesday to  Sunday
9.30PM-1.00AM.

Note: We popped in and out of these nightclubs to check the buzz, the music, the crowd, the ambiance…to know the full details you’ll have to wait till  “The Times Nightlife guide 2013” is on the stands.

——————————————————

BOX

Would you like to join me for lunch today (yes! Today) or lunch tomorrow? For “The Times Food Guide 2013” am doing my eatabout rounds in ANDHERI (West) and POWAII. Email me rightawayRashmi@rashmiudaysingh.com and alsorashmiudaysingh2012@gmail.com

“When one small door shuts, a big one opens” is my most favorite quote from the Bible. While this is true of most everything, does this hold true for the shutting of  Marine Drive’s “Not just jazz by the bay” and opening of “Pizza by the bay” in it’s place? Not really. The new arrival disappoints with it’s inconsistency in both food and service. But once again the “big door opens” and  my  vivacious, articulate “pizza-lover” guests more than make up for a lousy meal. “Pizzas make us happy and content” says  bubblicious, bright Myrra Arya voicing the opinion of all her gal pals. The charming sisters  Kalindi and Dvita Kapadia, the ever-friendly Ishita Ahuja eat their way through the pizzas and pastas, while my most gallant, cuddly and only male guest Ishaan Puri delights us with his one liners (he calls me “My baby”). Also with us are two lovely ladies, Myrras mom, architect Sonica Arya and Ishaan’s mom Reshma Puri. We have a fabulous, fun afternoon. OUR VERDICT Pizza by the bay is afflicted by an inconsistency that’s disappointing A month ago, I’d gone alone and all the three crusts (thin, stuffed and thick) of pizza passed muster (the pepperoni Don  Corleone  All American and vegetarian  Supremo). But obviously the pizzas  aren’t dependable from one visit to the next. Our thin crust Margarita with parmesan was too greasy, the “upside down pizza” was a mess in a conical naan like crust. As was the “quad” pizza with it’s quarters of four different mushy, red toppings. Even the desserts were too gelatinous or too sweet. Four dishes came out tops …the cheese stuffed cheesy pizza done with the right crunch and softness, the al dente aglio olio pasta and the  crusty bread with garlic butter  parsley. As also the flavorsome with Indian spices, thin crust  “Bombay Masala”, and the plain cheese pizza. Sonica Arya  enjoyed the  Soup salad lunch (Rs  574 ) “ Its surely VFM” she said  “32 salad options but could do with more exotic ones, good soup, lousy desserts” Regarding the service: please note: you could wind up with a crimp in your neck from all your craning, twisting and swiveling to call for a waiters attention. And this even when the pizzeria was not crowded. No hard liquor only wine and beer here. On the upside, we like the it’s very white décor, the  patterned glass ceiling and floor and the view of Marine drive. It’s open through the day and drawing full houses, now if only they’d get consistent with their food and service. Pizza By The Bay 143, Soona Mahal, Marine Drive   Ph       2285 1876      open noon  to 1.00AM RATING FOOD 2.5 SERVICE 2.5 DÉCOR 3.5 BBC GOODFOOD KITCHEN STUDIO I’m rejoicing. Great news for foodies. You can now look forward to amazing workshops/masterclasses/events. All this in the  centrally located Prabhadevi, state-of-the-art kitchen,designed in a modular style, with an ergonomic central kitchen island. You can trust the ultimate and complete food magazine (BBC GoodFood) to go that extra mile and not just print great recipes but also triple-test each one internally and to share their bounty with us. Like the pioneering and thoroughly researched magazine, the Good Food test kitchen is the first of its kind in India. An amazing brainchild of it’s driving forces, Tarun Rai, Sona Bahadur, it is all set to power us with useful and usable foodie sessions. Watch for the details in the magazine the  FB page (goodfoodmagazineindia) and email for details  bbcgoodfood@wwm.co.in FOODLINE Please forgive, but due to space constraint am unable to carry your messages. Thanks for your twitter, fb and email Feedback. Mail (rashmiudaysingh2013@gmail.com, fb, twitter @rashmiudaysingh) or sms(7738022873 ) to be listed here.

Le Mangii                          

Italian/Mediteranean

I do this all the time. I thank the good Lord for making my life a series of meaningful coincidences punctuated by great meals. This time, the meaningful coincidence and the great meal have overlapped. I refer to the one with the stunning 60’s top-model-turned-interior designer-turned fashion guru Zarine Khan. What sets her apart, is that she combines style with substance, elegance with genuine warmth and to top it all her much sought after gourmet Khan cuisine banquets at home are legendary.Zarine combines her  inheritance of Parsi recipes  with her iconic star-husband Sanjay Khan’s  Pathan Persian ones.

Over the years, through sheer chance Ive been bumping into her, be it at the George V in Paris, recently on the flight from Athens to Istanbul and then this Saturday in Le Mangii, Juhu.  She enjoys popping into this two month old restaurant since it is facing   her haute, hot, happening Fizaa fashion store with something for everyone, with it’s range of high end, top designers to affordable young ones.

“Since Le Mangii  is actually just across the street from my store, we walk across here very often for a quick bite”  points out this gorgeous granma of nine. Yes! She enjoys the Italian, Mediteranean fare and the casual, relaxed energy of the restaurant.

DÉCOR

Earthen tones and warm-wooden interiors  give it a neighborhood ”been around a long time” kind of feel. A double-sided bar  serves the al-fresco as well as indoor sections. A red brick wall with a huge ornate mirror completes the pleasant  décor.

FOOD

Top of our list? The  thin crust, wood-fired pizzas (Margarita, Quattro Formaggio, Mediterranean ). Our Truffelate (with the intense flavor of mushrooms) is superb. The flavorsome and light Chillean seabass delights as do the King Prawns in butter garlic sauce and the grilled lamb chops in red wine jus.

A veritable pasta party here with Spaghetti, Linguine, Penne and Fusilli all on the menu.  Risotto (cooked in Champagne and with Asparagus and Porcini Mushoom) and Chicken Mangii,  stuffed chicken breast are popular too. Above average Philadelphia cheesecake and an impressive selection of wines, cocktails and mocktails.

MINUS POINTS

Mixed up and slow service. Instead of four desserts, we get served two. Our pasta is overcooked and the Cajun chicken pizza resonates with sweet notes, under-dressed and inauthentic Ceaser’s salad. Mocha fudge cake disappoints with its sludginess.

MY POINT

Le Mangii’s strengths lie in the fact that it is casual, open through the day and serves up above average (though some dishes and service is patchy) fare. It aims to comfort not dazzle. However, my guest Zarine comforts and dazzles.

Navratan Apartments, AB Nair Road, near Juhu Post Office, opposite Penne, Juhu, 66756100, Av meal for two Rs 2000

9.30am to 1.30am

Food-3.50  |  Service-3.50  |  Décor-3.50  |  Meal for 2-`2000

FOODLINE

Its pure  joy to be connected to you. Thanks for your twitter, fb and email
Feedback. Mail (rashmiudaysingh2013@gmail.com, fb, twitter @rashmiudaysingh) or sms(7738022873 ) to be listed here.

Readers recommend

1)              @deemelinda recommends the Pork spare rib burger at Salt Water café

2) manan online@The newly opened Zitar in Powai amazing Indian food, per plated meals and god drinks. The chicken runaround = amazing

2)              salilicious@ First impressions: Shatranj Napoli reopened in three new avtars.

3) Silkworks at Worli offers its latest collection of attractive Gifts,give aways
for the coming Festive Season.Custom made Orders undertaken also.
Choose from an eclectic selection of Metal, Glass items for gifting or even
individual items for enhancing your home.Call 24305386

4) Divinité Chocolates!  Offers you some delicious Treats in Attractive Packaging Ph: 9820896880, 9930023260

5) Learn how to make exotic cupcakes in a one day cooking session…Vanilla/Blueberry cupcakes with a lemon buttercream icing, carrot/cappuchino cupcakes with creamcheese icing, chocolate/oreo cupcakes with choc ganache plus many variations. Call: Anahita 9821415935

6) Corporate foods in offers daily lunch solutions to office goers Indian combo Rs 60, walk away lunch Rs 75 and shipshape options for diet conscious Rs 60. Ph: 9167775663, 9820932963

7) Rikisuch@ celebrate TGIF at salsa wraps with some great specials. New items for healthy eaters the Burrito Bowl and whole wheat Tortillas. Ph: 9223184850.

8) Mr JAY Shah,Mr Harish Shah recommends “Popular  Caterers “located in Borivali EAST . Ph: 28063691, 28615522, 9820039975,

9)Celebrate this Diwali with special assorted chocolate boxes, attractive Chocobiscuits  packs in a unique Diwali hampers.  Call Rachana – 9820427136 or Pooja – 9819145589

10)”Meghna’s Kitchen there  USP is that we prefer low fat cooking and would be happy to serve the oil free Vada pao and various low fat glass desserts.
Ph: 9833 990 110.

11)Cupcake bouquet @ Choco Fiesta Ph: 9819223918

12) Himalayan rainbow trout,   (it’s taste is unique as it is reared in the pristine & the snow fed streams of the Himalayas.) Minimum order of 3 kg with prior notice of 7/8 days.  Rainbow Fisheries: 9892492231

13) For  homemade paranthas and pulaos around Goregaon call Veena Ph: 9969006977

14) Rich, crunchy chocolate -chunk and double chocolate chunk cookies also available – Oatmeal,oatmeal and raisin call Dough-Re-Mi. Ph: 9820451936.

15) Thai catering service,”LOTUS BLOSSOM”, you’ll find a choice of Traditional & Authentic food in each course . Ph: 9967624034,            9967624034

QUERIES
Rupali wants to know where she can get homemade chocolate chip cookies.

QUERIES ANSWERED

Arun for Continental non spicy food at Santacruz you call call HAS It All foods. Ph: 9870408072, 23517086

Gourmet Burgers

I am a convert. I’ve always been a  hamburger hater (the only exception being the Umami burger in Los Angeles)  but after four Burgs meals (spread over months) I actually started lusting for those patties snuggling in pillows of buns.  I’d been getting mixed reports about the gourmet burgers at Burgs (which opened in March, in Bandra.) I went with dread thinking that all I’d get is carnivorous patties in buns.

BURGS SURPRISES

And then wham! surprises. Surprise no1 it aint only about the American carnivorous fix, but burgers are interpreted in  six cuisines flavors (and most of these work) are priced at an average of Rs 170 each ( a combo meal of choice of any burger, fries and a drink for Rs 299). Next surprise? On a monday I bump into the third generation owner of my most favorite and legendary Café Madras and I’m floored. The very non vegetarian Gopalkrishna Kamat and his charming companion Ashwini Narayangaonkar (a professional devotional singer ) are so addicted to it that they eat here every monday. And driving this with single-minded hardwork, vision and enthusiasm is the 25 year old Krishnaraj Kilachand along with Sanat Patel.

FOOD
When a restaurant interprets burgers in six gourmet cuisines you know that it is willing to flout conformity and flirt with adventure. Chinese, Mexican, French, American, Indian and Japanese flavors here. 16 burgers (6 are pure vegetarian). Surprisingly, the  Mac n Cheese Bomb succeeds in delivering the taste and comfort of our childhood food in a crisp cheesy way. The other veggie burger (Corn Colonel)  is worth trying too. Non vegetarians looking non-deep fried options go for the roasted grilled options of Notorious PIG (char siu-glazed, melt-in-your-mouth shredded pork,)  Teriyaki chicken, Dijon chicken, Buffalo tenderloin, (The Big Burg, which comes with two plump, juicy patties and Bearnaise sauce).  I loved the thick, creamy icecream shake (espresso cold coffee,). The choice of sauces (chipotle mayo, Inferno,  habanero, Barbecue) and  whole wheat bun options is commendable.

DECOR

You’ll love it or hate it. Walk into  a snow white, brightly lit comfort zone pillowing in pure white dotted with a few bright blue cut-outs and LCD screens  playing a slideshow of the menu.I love the music too (70s and 80s)

MINUS POINTS

Serving these gourmet burgers in a mass-fast-food presentation (wrapped in paper, plastic trays) not only takes away from the experience but also confuses.Purists will cringe at not finding the classic 8 ounce American burger here. Soggy fries during two meals, an aubergine burger that ends up tasting odd, not the greatest chicken (Birdie num num) and the peanut butter jelly shake (which Im told the kids love) are avoidable.
MY POINT
Never mind if there are no desserts (the luscious smoothies fill in) or alcohol or the classic American burger. This gourmet burger  multi-cuisine menu  is sagely balanced between curiosity-piquing surprises and consoling favorites, it keeps its price points (Average Rs 170) in control, service swift and deftly works its way into your affections. May the Burgs tribe increase.

4/5 New Kamal Co-operative Housing Society
Waterfield Road,Bandra (West),2655 7722

Daily, 11am to 12.30am

RATING FOOD 3.5 SERVICE 3.5 DÉCOR 3.5

A VEGETARIAN IN ISTANBUL

Khulja sim sim.The gourmet treasure trove of this fascinating city(which pirouettes between Europe and Asia) dazzles.  I go on blind dates with the lovely Ekin Erim and the dashing Chef Ugurcan Ugumu who guide me to the secret heart of this city which was capital of the Roman, Ottoman and Byzantine empires. By the inky blue Bosphorous the Four Seasons “Aqua” serves memorable meals. The Ottoman empire’s magnificence comes alive on my plate in the Ciragen Kempinskis  “Tugra”. I eat my way through tiny Kebap and seafood eateries and onto the Modern Anatolian “Mikla” on a terrace(all thanks to my food critic buddy Dimitris Antonopoulus). Finally, what floors me is the third generation Huncar restaurant’s robust yet sophisticated fare  and trip out on the fact they are certified  by the “Vegan society”. A Four Seasons luxurious Turkish Hamam ritual and I come away feeling like Queen Hurrem, wife of Soltan Kanooni, Sulaiman the magnificent and ready to start work on my vegetarian guide here. Such is the magic of Istanbul.

FOODLINE

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I dedicate todays column to perfect pairings. And this is not just because I write from the most romantic wedding on a Greek island but also because Bandras Indigo Deli  pairs simplicity with sophistication and  warmth with elegance, just like my guests. Born and brought up in the sunny Mediteranean they are the perfect diners to give me a palate opinion on the food here.

Both are well travelled and passionate about food, art,music, Mumbai  and each other. It was love at first sight when Ceylan Özen Erişen, Consul General of Turkey met the dashing businessman Ender Erişen and they got married just recently and honeymooned near the Taj Mahal, Agra. Heres our tried, tasted and tested opinion.

FOOD

It’s an Indigo Deli’s consistently above average menu here  and what was flawed has since been fixed; what was good has remained so or become better. I ate here three times and the wafer thin pizza came out tops ( even Ceylan and Ender who dislike pizzas loved it).For the first time, tried the snow white Pizza Carbonara (Rishad Nathani’s favorite) creamy and delicious with carbonara egg-white sauce, bacon, sage and a few onion rings.  “Eggs on the Beach”, (poached eggs, crispy bacon laid on a crab cake) not as divine as “Eggs Divinity” warm, comforting and luscious with scrambled eggs, cheese, spinach and roesti baked and perfumed with truffle. Rahul and Malini Akerkar also ensure there’s plenty for veggies, the grilled moist with cheese tomato pepper’s Aegean Turkish taste was delightful. Must try, the banana caramel souffle mellow with honey brandy sauce.

 Go for the usual above average, Indigo deli dishes…  pulled pork burger, crispy chicken burger, awesome beef burgers: Risottos, pasta and more.

DÉCOR

Never mind that the restaurant has an unfinished look (after the BMC has been at it) or that instead of the charming dark wood panelling and yellow lighting of the other Indigo delis this one has space gobbling Blue-Frogesque pods booth-seating With copper accents and doesn’t please as much.

MINUS POINTS

The minor hitches in otherwise enjoyable meals were the soggy zucchini fritters, a skimpy Reuben sandwich, lacklustre dark-chocolate pudding, over the top creamy Tiramisu, stodgy cheese soufflé and it can get too noisy and the service slow. Average meal per head Rs 1500, a bit steep for a Deli.We need more affordable wines by the glass and more products on sale here.

MY POIINT

Open through the day, by turns cozy and sexy, laid-back and fleet, Indigo Deli is different things at

different times to different people. Here unabashedly hearty preparations meet seasonal produce, here comfort and traditionalism welcome innovation without letting it run roughshod. Never mind the cluttered décor and sometimes slow service. As Ceylan says, “Sometimes we crave for the taste of home and Indigo Deli answers that craving to a considerable extent” and concludes “Its one of the best Mumbai restaurants. You can feel the Mediterranean in the air immediately.” And fittingly enough I write this from the breathstoppingly beautiful Greek islands as I bask in the Mediteranean sunshine, crisp cool indigo blue waters and agree wholeheartedly.  

Indigo Deli.8 Fatima Villa 29th Road Pali Naka
Bandra West

PH2643 8100

OPEN9am to 1.30am

RATING FOOD 4 SERVICE 3.5 DÉCOR 3

FOODLINE

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Readers recommend
madhursethi@ tried Alfedo’s Andheri West, impressive menu, delicious pastas and pizzas with amazing burgers 2 treat our palate
Pallavi Shah does homemade eggless chocolates like bounty, ferro, florantine, praline, mari magic, orieo and more varieties as orders. Sunny’s Cakes Ph: 24074271, 9930599807
Kavita’s Delicacies specializes in Chaats,Veg. Starters like cassedias, cheese paneer rolls and also meals. Does tiffins too. Ph: 9870462649
Mr JAY Shah,Mr Harish Shah recommends POPULAR CAterers located in Borivali EAST . Ph: 28063691, 28615522, 9820039975,g 9820058218
Grace specialises in all sorts of designer boxes in raw silk,satin and paper and bags for chocolates,brownies,mithais ,dryfruits andsweets.Exclusive Ganapati and Diwali collection for gifting .Baby Shower,Birth announcements,Bdays and Kids boxes too.Ph: 9819807996
“Meghna’s Kitchen there USP is that we prefer low fat cooking and would be happy to serve the oil free Vada pao and various low fat glass desserts.
Ph: 9833 990 110. Cupcake bouquet @ Choco Fiesta Ph: 9819223918
Lucky Parantha House for homemade delicious freshly prepared stuffed paranthas @ Goregaon East. Party orders for 25-30 persons undertaken. Ph: 90049033019

QUERIES
Zeenet wants to know where she can get Homemade deep fried crispy crunchy cinnamon and nutmeg doughnuts
Arun wants Continental non spicy food at Santacruz.

Queries answered
Rachita for mukhwas and baking classes you can contact Meena on 26460936

I write from the banks of the glorious Ganga near Kolkatta. And I cant think of a better location to write about Mumbai’s new café “The Yoga house”. Yoga has been my enduring passion for more than thirty years (ever since I studied it in the IAS academy in Mussoorie). And Kolkatta is my most favorite city (after Mumbai). So I am in double bliss as  I do yoga at dusk (and then swim in the infinity pool)  by the river as it flows timelessly into the sea. Right through, the flautist’s silver sweet notes seduce the vast silence of the starry skies and seem to spangle the ripples of the river with shimmering moonshine.It keeps getting better. I feast on a world class gourmet experience where art, culture, music, history fuse seamlessly in myriads of rooms,lounges and bars where time pauses to take a deep breath and then sighs contentedly and stands still. Here centuries of rare recipes distil onto my  plate as a  baraat of “peasant” “zamindari” and the “Musalman” food of Bengal come alive in Madhu and Harsh Neotia’s product of passion.Kolkatta lives up to all my childhood memories of colorfully lit festooned Park street Christmases, mustard spiked jhal moodi, gracious golf clubs, golden hearted Marwari friends and more.This time I not only lunched in the sexily glamorous,very white and very rocking Mediteranean restaurant but also in the timeless popular relic of the Raj “Mocambo” on Pork medallions, Fish Diane, devilled crab and chicken ala kiev’s  bomb of a version  . Ate here with our very own bombs, the sparkling ma-daughter duo of Shobhaa De and  Anandita.. Oh ! Calcutta-aaaah!

 THE YOGA HOUSE

Vegetarian Macrobiotic

“Leave your shoes and ego outside the door” announces the    blackboard outside this  bungalow in the Chimbai  village of Bandra that houses a pure vegetarian macrobiotic cafe (flip the page right now if this kind of cuisine is not your shot of juice),  a yoga studio and a shop stocking clothes, yoga props, soaps, wild honey organic grains, muesli and more.

Clad in white and cooling shades the spartan tables, doors and floors and soft white curtains lend a relaxed air. This all day cafe serves lots of grains, (like millet or raw bajra) yogis breakfast, juices (including wheatgrass and combination fruit juices). “I am fighting” (Rs 200) was my salad of choice (dried figs, alfalfa, purple cabbage with a sesame oil dressing…flavorsome but not enough figs) the signature “I am detoxifying” quinoa burger (light and tasty quinoa  watermelon seeds patty with hummus) the well made tofu brown rice (Rs 240) laced with soya sauce and ended with a dryish organic muffin. Two charming French ladies (Francette Harrison, whose husband heads up the Four Seasons Hotel, Mumbai and Veronique Desjonqueres, working on a project on our city) who happened to be there thought “everything was nice, tasty and healthy”.

Do remember there is no airconditioning, no alcohol (obviously not) and the service can get very slow. The food is far from gourmet but its healthy, well made and moderately priced. If you’ve read till here, then youre obviously into“macrobiotic recipes rooted in ancient dietary wisdom” . Go. You’ll be delighted.  It doesnt get better than this in our city. 

P.S. I found out later that  Yoga house is the owned and run by the very French Maud Chuffart and  Ajit Tapaswi, and the menu is devised by chef Christopher James Clark, who specialises in Macrobiotic food.

THE YOGA HOUSE

53 Chimbai Rd, Behind St Andrews Church, Bandra W ph 65545001

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READERS RECOMMEND

!) For chocolates and chocolate bouquets call Smita Sankhe. Ph: 9222219466

2) Chandra recommends Munnabhai Andawala at Borivali Linking Rd, he has more than 20 egg items. Another one anda ka omlette and half fry at Goregaon west, Roadside vendor called Thakur extremely popular and landmark over 2 decades

3) Xoxolat by Yashitsa specializes in customized confectionary and baked goods. ORganic whole wheat, vegan, sugarfree, gluten free, toddler friendly and theme based.. Ph: 9820224887

4) Goodeezgalore at Mazgaon introduces new cakes and desserts. Ph 9821308327

5) madhursethi@ tried a new and cotemporary bakery café Grain & Bagel Malad West offers eclectic mix of classic and modern European cuicine and desserts. Tapas, Roesti, Sage roasted chicken.

6) CulinaryMuse1@yummy twice baked mushroom caps, veggie lasagna paprika cheese sauce at Ate-oh- Ate, Tardeo only delivery place 9819008808

7) Pallavi Shah from Sion doing homemade eggless chocolates like bounty, ferro, florantine, praline, mari magic, orieo and more varieties as orders. Sunny’s Cakes Ph: 24074271, 9930599807

8)Yasmin’s homemade mayonnaise with salad oil no preservatives kindly refrigerate. Ph: 24928681, 9820781560

()For Punjabi lunch and dinner dabbas contact Neeta Kathuria. Ph: 9004662447

10) Sonal Ved recommends Laxmi Vilas 6-table eatery situated in one of the buzzing by lanes at Kalbadevi Road (lane next to Friends Union Joshi Club) … idli, dosa and medu wada  also unique l yellow upma –stuffedsandwich uttapam.  filter coffee. Babu Genu Rd, Kalbadevi  Mumbai Tel: 022 22095053