Ellipsis Bakery - Worli, Mumbai.

A mix of an industrial estate and a construction zone may not be the best place for a bakery but the best of surprises are oft found in the strangest of places. Literally a hidden gem, Ellipsis bakery is located in the midst of a cluster of Industrial units, construction zones and residential buildings. But that owes to the fact that this bakery is indeed its namesake and not intended to be a cafe. Still, it does have a comfortable seating area that makes it resemble a proper cafe. And it does have enough goodies to ignore its location and just be there for some good grub.

One fine overcast afternoon, I walked my way to Ellipsis. The place was a little difficult to locate as it isn't exactly on the spot Google maps suggests it to be but the good ol' way of asking people for directions still works well.

The smell of fresh baked goodies had made the air pleasant inside the property. I sit as I hummed and smiled to the pleasant smells in the air. Ellipsis artisanal bakery - show me your grub.

Chicken Galette was a tasty crusty preparation with a salty base and chicken that had a smoky barbecue like flavor. This would make a great snack for a party or a meeting.

These small Chocolate chip cookies were soft and chewy made from the best cookie dough and chocolate. The flavor makes the cookies quite addicting and I am positive that the cookie monster would have made a raid for these.

Feast your eyes upon this gorgeous Nutella cupcake. The cake below is super soft and sweet. The icing consists of a mix of Nutella and salty butter cream giving it a cheese like saltiness. There could not be a more perfect cupcake that I have come across. Usually the topping dominates the treat but here the cake base was equally good if not better.

Red Velvet Cheesecake was a beautiful, creamy and a tasty delight. The bakers used premium cream cheese to layer the red velvet cake. The cake itself felt like a regular red velvet that you can find elsewhere but the cream cheese was the real star of the show.  Not to mention, this particular image was loved on my Instagram going slightly viral.

I ended my trip with a cup of Twinnings Green tea to wash down all the carbs.

The service was a little awkward as they served me the above items without me actually choosing those. I would have liked to sample more savories and place my order but I guess that it was a special case for me as they had called me to sample the goodies. They probably put out their best cards on the table.

The pricing is on the higher side. Though it seems to be on par with most premium baked good brands like Moshe's or La Folies.

I loved my trip to Ellipsis and enjoyed the few things that I could try there. For a small place, they certainly have a wide array of offerings. The place even has gluten free options available. Their goodies are sold at big marts and other restaurants. They also serve catering orders and corporate events. The location makes it a bit hard for common people and hopefully they would open one of these delightful shops in a more accessible area in the future. Till then, enjoy a little adventure to find a gem hidden deep inside the concrete jungle.


The Captain's Score : 8/10

Map Co-Ordinates
Ellipsis Bakery,
Inside BMC Asphalt Compound,
S.K. Ahire Marg,
Worli, Mumbai


-I was invited to sample the menu by the Bakery. My review however remains objective.-

Cafe Mezzuna - Andheri Lokhandwala, Mumbai

The strange green coin that I had obtained in my last voyage was definitely a hint. Me navigator was right with his theory and it was sheer luck that Nina's friends gave us the next clue. On this ancient map, a legendary emerald city was marked along one of the routes. The city was thought to be nothing more than a ruin of a time long past. These jade coins were once used in that city and are a rarity in these parts. If this coin appeared out of nowhere then there is definitely something to be found within these ruins. 

Contrary to the naming, the ruins were not actually green in color. The place was a mix of pewter shades lost in the dust. But lo behold, there was intense green light emanating from somewhere within the ruins. What was going on? My landing party triangulated on the source of the green light. It seemed to be a, tavern of some kind but our entry was prohibited by a burly man who asked for a Token. Instinctively, I held out my green coin to which the man smiled and let us enter.

Literally resembling the Emerald city from the Wizard of Oz, Cafe Mezzuna is another venture from the people behind Mainland China and Oh Calcutta. With it, comes the hospitality group's good taste for thematic ambiances and excellent service. Life can be chaotic in a mall like Infiniti and places like Mezzuna serve as a nice retreat from the noise pollution and third rate food court eateries.

Cafe Mezzuna was quite full when I had arrived but I had a table booked for me (Yay me?). The vibes felt good and there was a feeling of placid comfort in the cafe.

Without wasting much time I placed my order.

Since I was going boozeless for the day, I started my sojourn with this creamy Mint Smoothie. It was enjoyable though I did expect it to be peppermint and not regular mint.

A tasting platter made on request.

Jalapeno Cheese poppers on the right were passable. A piping hot savory snack but I have had better.

Pan seared Mushroom tarts with mozzarella and a balsamic drizzle were savory, cheesy and finger licking good. These were the perfect combination of the salty and the subtle savory. The ideal vegetarian appetizer for me.

Spinach cheese sambousek at the top right felt very pedestrian and was perhaps the only thing that I chose not to finish on the platter.

Potato Croquettes on the top with leek and cheddar were slightly tough but still a flavorful and savory appetizer.

Captain : So much to eat on one little platter.

Crewmate : Does this mean I get a bite this time? :D

Captain : No.

Crewmate : =(

Harissa spiced grilled cottage cheese skewers. Lets call this Johnny since the original name is longer than the Fellowship of the ring. Johnny was spicy down to the very core and did not feel like paneer rubbed with spices like in most other places. Johnny was like a wall flower that turned out to be a bombshell in disguise. Johnny was good, keep calm and eat Johnny.

Pan Grilled Mushrooms with chili, spices and lemon felt very much like the crispy corn in Mainland China. The flavor was not too over the top but still felt addictive. Seemed to be a perfect bar nibble or a great side to any meal. The mushrooms were not too soft but still juicy with flavor oozing out of every bite.

Grilled Prawn skewers were served in a style that made these appear like a luxury for the plebeians. And these tasted equally good. Garnished in an anchovy butter mixed with garlic, the flavor was really something else. Juicy, spicy and filled with the flavors of the ocean - this was one of the best Prawn based dishes that I have ever had.

Captain : I wonder what clue will we find here. Who expected a Tavern to be here anyway?

Crewmate : Maybe we should have brought the ship cat along.

Captain : She did not want to get off the ship for this island. I think she hates green.

Grilled Chicken Skewers were rubbed with Harissa and served with parsley hummus. Strangely, I found myself like the Paneer skewers more oer here. The Harissa did not seem to suit the kind of cooking used here. It may have worked with the paneer but not with the chicken.

Beer battered fried fish served with lemon tartare. Melty basa is probably not the best kind of fish for deep frying. While the crust was flavorful and spicy, the fish core felt shallow and uninspired. This can be remedied by using a different fish.

The Jerk spiced chicken pizza looked good, had the right ingredients but had a glitch with the flavor. While the chicken used was indeed rubbed with Jamaican Jerk spices as billed, the flavor of the pizza was dominated by the Jalapenos and the Bell peppers. These ingredients had managed to neutralize the chicken's flavor and made the pizza feel more like a pico de gallo pizza. I feel that the veggies could be reduced and the chicken increased to keep the flavor meatier.

Stone Grilled Chicken was served in a most impressive manner with a side of potato salad and sautéed  greens. It was served on a plate that was constantly being heated by a small burner. The chicken portions contained both a breast and a leg. The Chicken leg tasted great and was cooked perfectly. It was full of flavor and appropriately tender.

However the breast portion was too well done. The edges had become hard and chewy. I pondered what could have happened and the only reason I can think of is that both cuts of the meat were cooked in the same temperature and manner - Probably being the leg cut's temperature since it turned out to be perfect.

Vanilla Rock Dessert is an item that is going to be introduced shortly to the public. The blogging folk have been the first humans to beta test the dessert before it goes live. Using molecular gastronomy, a dollop of whip cream is snap frozen and then placed in a rainbow colored puddle made out of various syrups and fruit compotes. The thing is then generously showered with a nutella like hazelnut chocolate sauce. The desert works well as a novelty though mascarpone would make a better alternative than whip cream.

Captain : This looks like a mountain of gems.

Crewmate : It seems to follow symmetry with the colors.

Captain : That being said, where would the next clue be?

Passing Stranger : I could tell you, if you part with some of yer food.

Captain : We don't deal with random tricksters.

Stranger : Your call. You need all the help you can find for the Blue Compass.

Captain : Who told you I was hunting for the Blue Compass?

The service is stellar as mentioned before. The restaurant was adequately staffed and all tables were well attended(despite being crowded). The servers were professional as expected from a restaurant from Anjan Chatterjee's stable.

The pricing is variable. Some items feel a bit on the higher side while some others feel quite cheap. I suppose that one's experience dictates of what they think of the pricing. To keep this brief, it seems to be on par with other Cafes and pubs.

Cafe Mezzuna seems to have a lot going in its favor but suffers from quite a few glitches too. The appetizers here were really stellar while the mains could use improvement. However to sum up my experience, I think that I really enjoyed my trip to Mezzuna. Glad to see Specialty restaurants taking strides in the realms of Western food.

"
Crewmate : So did that scamming old man give you anything?

Captain : A piece of paper with numbers.

Crewmate : What kind of  numbers?

Captain : Fool's Co-ordinates.

"

The Captain's Score : 8/10

Map Co-ordinates
Cafe Mezzuna
Shop 261, 2nd Floor,
Infiniti Mall, Andheri Lokhandwala,
Andheri West



 -The food was on the house as I was invited by the restaurant's PR to sample the grub. My review however is objective.-

Desi Deli - Bandra West, Mumbai

I was hungry and I decided to conduct a pantry raid...

Crewmate: That sounds naughty.

Oi Lad, you do not interrupt me when I am narrating an anecdote.

Crewmate: But can you even call it a raid? Its your own ship Cappy?

Let me start again,
Ahem, I was hungry and I had just put an errant mate on dish washing duty for a year. I ransacked me ship's pantry and found that there was nothing good in there. I must find out who decided to stock sprouts, pulses and eggplants instead of good ol' chicken and bacon. I heard the lookout's bell from above and I climbed back to the top deck. The lookout declared that he had spotted a cluster of restaurants on the coast. Among them was our next mark. "Desi Deli." Local legends suggested that this place serves amazing Hot dogs. Well time to find that out.

Desi Deli is a small and I mean really really small microcafe stuffed in the lanes of Bandra. Guess you get the idea about how small it is by now. It faces the majestic Salt Water Cafe and one has to wonder whether the little one has any chance against the old big one. Well small it may be but Desi Deli has a big heart and even bigger burgers and hot dogs. And you may just end up falling in love with your fingers.

There is not much to write about the ambiance. Its a comfortable place with three indoor tables and a few more outside. However, it could get cramped at peak hours. But this place offers something that is completely unheard of so far - Gourmet Hot dogs. Yes you read that right, the hot dogs here are much more than dumping a sausage in a pair of buns and topping it with sauces.

Goan Desi - This whopper looked like Hot Dog royalty. It was made of a large sized sausage topped with caramelized onions, peppers, chorizo sauce, spices, sauces and scallions. The flavor was a mix of savory with a moderately spicy undertone. This hotdog combines the classical New Yorker and Goan beach shack grub into one delectable and aromatic hotdog.

Captain : Now this lad, is how a real hot dog should be.  

Crewmate : Mmmmfff....

Captain : Don't want any? All right. More fer me then.

Lush Lamb Burg was recommended by the smiling and affable owner of the cafe, Lolita Sarkar. This huge burger that somehow resembled a stack of Picard's Enterprises was a mix of Scottish, Indian and American elements. The lamb patty was monstrously large and well done. The Burger was salty, savory and juicy. The burger was a messy mammoth full of jus, cheddar, grilled apples and red mayo. There was even an addition of Bengali Birista which is mostly made of fried crispy onions.

All the elements produced a phenomenal burger. The birista added crunch too. This was served with ultra thin salty fries which I felt clashed with the flavor. So I set aside the fries and finished the burger. Fair warning, this burger will make you lick your fingers...a lot. Has to be among the top five burgers that I have had in Mumbai. The other four were in fine dines.

Captain : This be so messy, all this jus on my hands.

Crewmate : (Heavy breathing) Oh that be terrible cappy, let me help ya finish that. 

Captain : Oh, you untied yourself. 

Crewmate : That was mean cappy, why did ya tie and gag me?

Captain : To see how good you were at untying yourself? You succeeded. Heh.

Trucker Tycoon was made of toasted bread similar to that found in state highway dhabas, hence the Trucker part. This looked like a simple dessert at the start. But just like Desi Deli, this small toast is filled with near infinite quantities of goodness. And by goodness, I mean Mascarpone cheese and liquid Chocolate of course. I was ambushed as I took a bite into this and out came a never ending amount of the above mentioned liquids. Its like having Chocolate and Cheese fondue at the same time. Hence the Tycoon part.

The cafe is well staffed for its size and hence one always gets their grub on the dot.

Desi Deli's pricing could feel a little expensive. At INR 325, the Lush Lamb burg feels pricey as compared to its inferior siblings at places like McDonalds or Burger King. But then its cheaper than pub like places and fine dines. I suppose its acceptable if its quality were to remain unchanged.

Desi Deli was a tasty experience. The food alone counts for my high scoring towards this place. Its definitely a place that one should visit for a good Burger and Hot Dog. And from 14 December 2015 to 10 Jan 2015, Desi Deli is running a special Christmas menu with unique burgers and hotdogs. These will no longer be sold post event. Tis' Captain may go to this place again in the near future. I miss that Goan Desi Hotdog.

The Captain's Score : 8/10

"Mark this place on me map lads, I think its going to be one of me favorites."

Map Co-Ordinates
Desi Deli

Shop 1, Pearl Haven CHS, 86,

Chapel Road,Reclamation,

Bandra West, Mumbai.

-I was invited to sample the grub by the cafe's PR. But my post is unbiased and neutral.-



 

Lighthouse Cafe - Khar, Mumbai

It was a dark misty night and the seas were rough. These conditions be treacherous for any ship at the high seas. The crew was extra alert, not a lad out of place. Suddenly out of the dark mists, a brief flash of light caught our attention. I immediately changed course towards the light. As we moved into the unknown, the flashes grew brighter and brighter. Any experienced man at sea knew what this meant. There was a lighthouse nearby. 

As me ship pushed though the mists, the view became clearer. There was a small island in front of us with a lighthouse in the middle. The lookout sounded confused when he claimed that there was a tavern right inside that light house. This was enough to arouse me curiosity as I asked the fellas to look for a good spot to dock at while the landing party prepared to explore the island. Tavern inside the lighthouse? Fascinating.

The nice folks at Zomato remembered good ol' me when they were organizing a meet up for epicures at Light house Cafe. This cafe is more of a pub or a tavern if one has to strictly go by the appearance. The most prominent part of this small sized restaurant is the bar. But a small obscure counter adjacent to the bar with a loud signboard saying FOOD reassures that there is plenty of grub too. The dim lit appearance is perfect for a sinful weekend binge.
 

And if that wasn't good enough - There is live Music(Wednesdays) and a DJ too. So much in a little cafe is worth every moment spent here. The vibe is similar to that in a club. Food, drinks, frolic and music to go with that.


The party started with a bunch of house special cocktails. This was a part of their special Beer and Burger's menu. Some of these cocktails were made by the fellas at the meet up themselves. Fun for us to be honorary bartenders(though lousy), I reckon.

Caribbean Mix was undoubtedly my first choice. If you have to ask why then you are not reading enough of my works mate. This was a beer cocktail mixed with Vodka, Malibu, Coconut water, pineapple and some Tabasco. The flavor was sweet to start with. As the tongue bathed in the drink, the flavor of the coconut which was somewhat similar to that in Bounty Chocolates emerged. And as the drink went down me passages, a strong tangy-spicy aftertaste could be felt. This definitely got my spirits up.

Crewmate : Any Pirate gags coming Cappy?

Captain : No, let me enjoy me drink.

Crewmate : oh...ok.

The Paneer Kebabs and Murg Alishan were savory snacks that went well as bar nibbles. The chicken in the latter was a tad bit rare but the taste was great.

The mains were greasy, messy and scrumptious burgers. These felt very much like real burgers as opposed to the basic dumbed down burgers sold in most run of the mill places like the ones by a clown and a king. And as this was a Beer and Burger festival, I was told that the line up was a special edition menu. These huge burgers were quite heavy so I could not taste em' all but I did enjoy what I could grab. The place would make a great spot for a burger lover.

Bengal Fata Fati was a messy burger which tasted much like homemade Tariwala Chicken. I suppose Bengali homemade chicken and Punjabi homemade chicken have a similar flavor. The mayo in the burger was mixed with a Bengal mustard chili paste and added a twisty zing to the familiar flavor. The wedges were coated with Panchphoran masala which is a blend of spices used in Bengali cuisine. A welcome change as opposed to the overused and over done piri piri mixes.

Jerk Chicken Stoner was definitely the best of the burger lot. A spicy and potent Jamaican jerk mix applied to roasted chicken and draped with lots of mayo makes a great burger. It had a great aroma too. This burger was quite messy but if it ain't messy then it ain't fun at all. To play around with names a bit, Jerk Chicken Rocker would have been more apt.

Captain : This burger gave me a high. 

Crewmate : Thats why this is called a stoner.

Captain : Good food fixes anything eh?

Crewmate : I wouldn't know, you usually eat mine too.

Fiery Punjabin is strangely a pure veggie burger. For folks like me, Punjabi food symbolizes meat and spiciness so this was definitely something, different. This monster was primarily made of a cottage cheese(Paneer) patty with pickled vegetables. The Yoghurt used is billed to be Bondi Yoghurt(Aussie) which I am not sure about. Appears to be a corruption of Boondi Yoghurt ha.

Eggless Hazelnut mousse was average. The liquor was rich but not very dense. It was quite airy from appearance. The major problem with this dessert was the unwelcome addition of hazelnut flakes. This felt like a last minute post work addition and felt very annoying as far as taste goes. I ended up flipping the mousse and slicing a layer off which contained the flakes.

The pricing seems fair for the generous portion sizes served. Most burgers are between 400 to 500 INR which feels fine. The drinks have variable prices. Some feel like a good deal while some feel on the higher side. In totality, the menu is well priced for a burger lover.

The service can be a little slow but the place was crowded beyond belief so its pardonable. The staff was professional in conduct. The bartender was extra polite as he walked us through making drinks and tolerating our sacrilegious mistakes ha. I remember not shaking the drink hard enough.

The evening was great and I can say that the complete package was well worth the trip. The Beer and Burger festival is a limited affair so the reader should make haste.

The Captain's Score : 8/10

"Best lighthouse ever, eh lads?"

Map Co-Ordinates
Lighthouse Cafe
3rd Road, Khar West,
Khar, Mumbai. 



-The event was part of a Zomato meetup. Food and drinks were on the house.-


 

Sky View Cafe - Lower Parel, Mumbai

This was a clustered little island and there were more ships docked here than the fish in sea. All right, maybe I am blowing me tales a bit out of proportion but this seemed like a really crowded part of the sea. I held in me hand a little prize of a document. This document was given to me by some folks that I had ferried across the oceans. The document granted me free passage in a place called Sky cafe. As me lookout surveyed the place, he disappointingly admitted that he cannot spot Sky Cafe. I gently tapped his daft head and told him to look up because its a Sky cafe. Finally we found our destination. Sky Cafe was located on top of an old industrial tower

Vegetarian and Continental are two words that do not usually belong together and for a long time restaurants have fed us with Indianized Veggie versions of European delicacies. Being the naive bunch that we are, we immediately proclaim that as amazing food. However in recent times, a few restaurants have done extensive research and groundwork to create vegetarian food that actually tastes European. Sky View happens to be among those chosen few.

Sky View Cafe resembles a small sized casual diner with its family themed tables. The lighting colors the ambiance golden and the place resembles an aristocratic club. It is the kind of place that makes one feel comfortable and one could eat for hours to come.

I was greeted by the friendly manager Frankie who gave me the best seats in the house.

It was a hot day and I was quite thirsty. Pesca Blast was quite a relief. The flavor was dominated by Pineapple with a strong aftertaste of peach. Cranberry's tart flavor was a bit overshadowed by the pineapple. There was a hint of lime as well.

I started my meal with The Real Mushroom soup. It visually appears very ordinary and would disappoint all those colorful folks who swear by foodporn. But its taste is another story. There is a beautiful and a flavorsome depth beneath that surface. The flavor is salty with an intense taste of cream. Mushroom pieces add a bit of depth with their naturally earthy sensation. The aroma is heavenly and appetizing. I lapped up this soup faster than a hungry cat on a bowl of milk.

Captain : This Zuppe feels like the ocean. 

Crewmate : Souper.

Captain : Zupper.

One has to admire a restaurant when it goes beyond the same old Onion rings and Garlic bread as appetizers. The Zucchini feta bites were made out feta cooked with bits of Zucchini in a Canape cup. It was topped with cherry tomatoes, spices and some home made salsa. The flavor was quite snacky and I could easily down a few plates of this without noticing.

Mini Mexican Tostados were colorful nibbles with an intriguing mix of flavors. The Corn Tortillas below were laced with a bit of powdered cheese and had a savory flavor. The Mexican beans and greens provided a slightly salty and savory taste. The Mexican spices were subtle adding a hot undertone to it. The plating was also executed in an enticing manner.

Squash Roulade was perhaps the best item on the appetizer's menu. This was a paradigm of a Western delicacy being transformed into a fully vegetarian counterpart. In fact, I will go as far as saying that this was better than all the Chicken Roulades that I have had so far. The stuffing was made of ricotta, broccoli and baby corn in a cigar like roll made out of grilled Zucchini. The bath below was made of Ricotta and herbs and added a pleasantly salty and a cheesy flavor. The liquid's taste mimicked that of the cheese used in Cheetos. This was quite an amazing dish and everyone should give this a try unless if you are vegan.

Captain : Squash Cigars with cheesy stuffing and cheesy broth. Thats fine food fer ya lad.

Crewmate : Are you slowly going vegetarian Captain?

Captain : Barnacles, I am just enjoying me adventure on the other side.

Vegetarian Lasagna followed the theory of constructing a multi layered lasagna to the book. There were several pasta sheets as required. The cheese felt nice and the chef had even mimicked the color of its meaty sibling. I would also say that it tasted remarkably better than the vegetarian Lasagna variants that I have had elsewhere but this paled in front of the other offerings at Sky View. It felt a bit unauthentic as far as traditional lasagna goes. The taste was very much Indian and similar to baked vegetable layered between Lasagna sheets.

Gnocchi with lemon butter sauce was a visual treat though it may initially be slightly unsettling to a devout vegetarian. The dish was a simple craft of high grade Gnocchi dumplings tossed in a lemon and butter sauce. The dumplings melt in the mouth and taste excellent with the butter sauce. However, the critical error with this dish was the lack of tarty acidity. Lemon was used but its effect was far too subtle to be enjoyed and as a result the sauce felt to be mostly molten butter.

Square sheet pizzas are a new trend now days. And this pizza certainly offered a visual uniqueness from the circular delights that I have grown up with.

Mac and Cheese Pizza on the right was a flavorsome pizza though could have used more cheese.

The Veg Pesto Pizza was a delightful pizza flavored with basil and pesto. There was Broccoli, Sun dried tomatoes, Bell peppers, Zucchini and more Broccoli.

Chocolate Mousse. I am not a big fan of Eggless Chocolate mousses. They feel a bit chalky and require a lot of effort by chefs to cover up for the obvious lack of eggy richness. But hold the presses, this one is remarkably different. It is a rich mousse with a dense consistency. The chalkiness is at a bare minimum and is mostly patched over by the gooey Chocolatey goodness.

The Chocolate sauce's drizzle added a slightly bitter undertone which aided in its emulation of a true mousse. This mousse was also loaded with Kitkat bars which I admit looked pretty, just that I think these should not have been used in the center as well. Kitkat's flavor clashes with the mousse's inherent flavor.

But I'd still score this a eight on ten. It was a great dessert. A perfect vegetarian mousse.

Captain : The legends of the deep have it that beneath all that sea of chocolate lies a treasure of kitkat. 

Crewmate : But Captain, I see a kitkat sticking out at the top too.

Captain : Lad, that be just the tip of the ice berg.

Crewmate : Dun dun dunnnn.

The service is excellent as most of the servers are well versed with the menu and extremely professional. They also entertained all of my quirky requests sportingly.

The pricing is tilted on the higher side of the scales but the quality mostly is worth it. The portion sizes are decent and the quality of ingredients is great. Thus good price for good quality.

I think all grub lovers should give this place a chance. If you are a vegetarian then this place should definitely be on your road map. They have created near perfect emulations of continental grub that is traditionally made out of meat. If they can please a carnivore like me, then I am pretty sure that they will please vegetarians.

The Captain's Score : 8/10

"Oi, you greedy urchins better be done lickin' your Moussey fingers. Its time to leave for our next destination. And our Voyage is only getting started."

Map Co-Ordinates
Sky View Cafe

3rd Floor, Trade View Building,

Gate 4, Kamla Mills,

Lower Parel, Mumbai.

-I was invited by the restaurant to sample a special menu.-


 

Meal Box Cafe - Lower Parel, Mumbai

It was quite dark...until the wind blew away the cloth covering me face. I was feeling lazy as the ship moved slowly under the sun. The radio officer came to me and reported that he has found a nice cafe that can send grub right to me ship. Upon knowing that this place was not that far from our current position, I decided to be a little adventurous and go this place myself. I got up from me relaxing chair and as I raised my hand to signal the lads to change directions, it became dark again. The wind blew back that darn cloth on me face again.

Meal Box Cafe is a tiny installation located in a nondescript locality opposite the mammoth Peninsula park. However, this stems from the fact that they specialize in home delivered food and not in-house dining. I still chose to drop in since its quite close to my home. They serve European and Asian from which I chose the former. And I was extremely pleased with what this small cafe served me. The place had some of the best continental food I have ever had.

Chicken Paprika with Cheese bears no similarity to its Hungarian namesake and is much of a snacky house invention. For 180 INR this was a very satisfying starter with loads of chicken cubes, cheese and just the right amount of paprika. The item was mostly salty owing to the natural saltiness of table cheese and added salt. The paprika added some savory spiciness to it. The chicken was well cooked with flavor oozing out of ever cube chewed. This has to be one of the best appetizers I have had. I was quite surprised since I did not expect it to be this good. This was high quality grub.

Captain : I should have come alone.

Crewmate : Ha, so you could eat all this by yerself. 

Captain : Hey! Hands off the grub. Captain goes in first.

Chicken Stroganoff is a dish that has always intrigued me. This was my second run with this dish and definitely my best run so far. My first time left me a tad bit disappointed and that was in a five star hotel. The creamy sauce made of smetana(Central/East European version of sour cream) was quite addicting. The flavor was salty, creamy and savory. The tender chicken pieces had completely been soaked with flavor and were one with the gravy.

The rice itself tasted great but mixing it with the stroganoff stew was even better. At INR 250, this was a well worth the buck experience. And I am quite hooked to the taste. I am now as fascinated with stroganoff as I was with Butter Chicken once.

Captain : Methinks, the Russians make some great food.

Crewmate : In Russia, great food makes you.

Captain : Well lad, you are what you eat.

Cranberry Apple Chicken was a name that mystified me. I have never had cranberry with food before. So naturally, I was curious about this. Added to the mystery was the fact that Google threw up a completely different picture from the version here. This dish was made of thick grilled chicken breast slices in an apple and cranberry sauce reduction with brown jus(Which i suspect was chicken stock). There also seemed to be a hint of Balsamic vinegar in it.

While the gravy itself was a mix of sweet, salty and tangy flavors, the chicken tasted a bit insipid and leathery. It had not blended well with the stew. The gravy was quite amazing though and I was sad that the taste did not capture the Chicken's core but it still was an enjoyable dish. I do suppose that leaner and more slices of chicken would fare better than the thick and few.

Caramel Pudding was one of the two desserts offered by Cafe Meal Box. It was dense and tasted perfect. The sweetness was appropriate and the dessert was juicy with caramelized liquid oozing out. This was far superior than most variants I have had elsewhere.

Since its more of a Quick serving restaurant which specializes in home deliveries and take-out, there isn't much to write about service.

The pricing seems very decent for the premium grub. Its surprising how a small cafe can produce continental meals that easily beat many casual and fine dines in quality.

While this particular event was on the house, I see no reason to not have this place on my fast dial. A stroganoff or a Roulade is sure to lift me spirits in dark times. Meal Box Cafe is definitely a gem in the ever growing vibrant Mumbai food stream. However, a small suggestion to the management would be to increase the dessert menu from two to at least five.

The Captain's Score : 9/10

"Eh mateys, we should sail near these coasts more often. This grub was among the finest that we have ever had. Mark this place on our map of favorite taverns so that we may be here again someday."

Map Co-Ordinates
Meal Box Cafe
Ground Floor, Koli Chawl, Marathon Nextgen Lane,
Opposite Peninsula Corporate Park,
Lower Parel, Mumbai


-I was invited by Chrome Communications on behalf of the restaurant to sample the grub. The meal was on the house.-