Mango Dessert Festival at Sin in Hotel Marine Plaza - Churchgate, Mumbai

Mango, India's favorite food has the effect of driving the majority of the Indian population wild. As soon as the mango season begins, people crowd up at fruit stores buying them like hotcakes. Actually in India, one must say that hotcakes sell like mangoes.

I proudly declare that I am not in that majority. Nope, the fruit's presence or absence doesn't affect me. But Mango desserts are another story, they give me a high. I dropped by last week to sample a special menu of Mango based desserts at the Sin patisserie within Hotel Marine Plaza.

This seasonal special menu would last till the mid of June.

The Special Menu. 

At INR 375(plus Taxes) per dessert , the place actually offers cheaper desserts than the likes of a place like Indigo Deli. The desserts are made of premium ingredients and have a great flavor. There is no compromise on quality.

This platter would make most of humanity salivate in front of their screens.

Aam Ka Panna would be India's favorite summer drink. Sweet and sour in flavor, this spice filled beverage isn't really a dessert but one could never have a Mango themed menu in India without the mention of this.

Mango and Mint Panna Cotta was a delectable panna cotta topped with a thick Mango paste and Mint pearls. Though initially I was a bit disappointed that it was Mint and not peppermint, the rich flavor of the cream made up for everything. I gobbled this up in a jiffy.

Mango Baklava is probably something that the Ottomans and the Greeks would never have imagined. The chefs at Sin took this old world favorite and gave it a Mango Twist. The result was classical Baklava with a perfect mango infusion. Baklava itself is rare to find in the city and Mango Baklava may just only be available at Sin. Though not aesthetically pleasing as its colorful counterparts, this was one of the high points of the seasonal menu.

Mango Cheesecake in my opinion was the best dessert in the menu. It delivered in both visuals and flavor. Not only was it the prettiest of the lot, its flavor was quite amazing. Unlike Cheesecakes at other places where vanilla cheesecake is merely topped with a compote, this truly was a mango cheesecake. The cream cheese and Mango had been perfectly fused together. The texture was smooth and perfect. Mango's sweet and tarty flavor combined with Cheesecake's original sweet flavor was quite a party in my mouth.

Mango Chocolate Sensation was Sin's take on the popular melting chocolate ball. Though these balls have long lost novelty due to being too common, these still make an excellent dessert for a bunch of food shutterbugs. I was disappointed with this one though. The flavor of the mango was far too subtle and as far as Chocolate ball desserts go, this was too mediocre.

Mango Raspberry Criollo was a delicious comfort dessert. Made with a Mango mousse centred with a Raspberry compote, the hero of the dish was undoubtedly the raspberry. While the mango served as a nice and alluring exterior, the flavor profile was dominated by the Raspberry. The dessert was however one of the best on the menu. Again like the cheesecake, it was both visibly pleasing and quite delectable.

This seasonal menu is said to last till the Mid (15th) of June, 2017. That is about the time when the Mango season goes offline from India and the Monsoon sets in. If you are a dessert fanatic like me, don't miss this opportunity to sample things like the Mango Cheesecake or the Baklava.

The Captain's Score : 8/10

Map Co-Ordinates
Sin,
Hotel Marine Plaza,
29, Marine Drive,
Mumbai


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

The Oriental Blossom at the Hotel Marine Plaza - Marine Drive, Mumbai

Marine Drive is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in urban Mumbai. And Hotel Marine Plaza overlooks a prime area of this coastal stretch. The restaurants within this five star property scale with the locality and are quite posh. My destination for the day was The Oriental Blossom - A Chinese restaurant on the first floor of the Hotel, overlooking the sea and the neighborhood. The restaurant has recently introduced Asian styled set lunches and I was there to sample the fare. So will the restaurant deserve praise shouted from the rooftops or criticism a la Anton Ego? Lets find out.

With a mix of formal Chinese themes and the classical five star fine dine, Oriental Blossom spoke of both luxury and exuberance. One could enjoy a quiet formal meal as well as have a joyful meeting with friends over good food and drinks. Gentle Asian themed music, clean air and a refined crowd sets this place in a different world from the realm of loud cafes and pubs.

The first thing that caught my eye was the price tag of Rupees 1099. I sat, rubbed my eyes and thought. I am in the classiest part of town. I am inside one of Mumbai's best Hotels. 1099 is amazingly cheap. You don't need to be born in money to be able to afford this. I think that this was the friendliest pricing that I have seen in Mumbai. Set Menus usually cost twice of this in other five star Hotels in Mumbai. Even if I am to go to one of the numerous Pan Asian mediocrities that have sprouted all over Mumbai and order a soup, appetizer, main, a bowl of noodles and a dessert - the tab would still be over 1500 easy.  This part alone makes the restaurant attractive.

The menu is developed by the chefs at Hotel Marine Plaza led by executive Chef Huang Te Sing. Chef Huang is of Chinese origin but he has lived in India for so long that he has even developed an Indian accent. He is also well acquainted with local food and flavors. Combining his knowledge of Chinese food with the understanding of Indian gastronomes, Chef Huang has crafted Chinese food that is adapted for Indian palates. The food's base structure is very Chinese but the spices and flavors have been adjusted a bit. Chef Huang is very friendly, down to earth and as pleasant as the food he makes.

Lung Fung Soup - The actual Lung Fung soup is a mix of Snake and chicken but in India no one would ever eat snake. Hence the Lung Fung soup in India is always made of Chicken and vegetables. The flavor of Oriental Blossom's version was sweet and sour and resembled the Asian soup mixes in many fine and casual dines. It was somewhere between a Sweet & sour soup and an Eight treasure soup in terms of flavor.

In case if you are wondering what Manchow soup on the menu is. Its a soup with origins in the Indian state of Meghalaya but often believed to be a Chinese soup.

Crispy Chicken was a delicious and an addicting appetizer.  It felt like the love child of Chicken popcorn and hot cheetos in flavor. Its spice mix seduced the taste buds while its crispy chicken made it very much like a snack. Easily the best of the appetizers and would always be my choice in the set meal.

Chicken Dumplings were average in flavor. Nothing much different from variants that I have had in most other places. But then again dumplings are supposed to be a staple in today's times.

Fish in Chili black bean sauce was a pretty little appetizer. Though the usage of Basa initially put me off, the batter coating was quite delicious. The black bean sauce too had been drizzled carefully. Neither too much nor too less. It had a ginger like earthy appearance but a delectable flavor and aroma.

Fish in Hunan sauce was a Basa based main. One has to appreciate the skill of the chefs as this was some of the best Basa that I have had. Far from the pedestrian Basa fare that we have grown accustomed to in the past half a decade. Pleasantly fragrant and visibly appealing, this dish went great with the Hakka Noodles. I would recommend this if you want Fish in the set. One could ditch the Fish appetizer, take the chicken and settle for fish in the mains. The flavor profile is subtle though the salt is slightly higher.

Prawns in Chili garlic sauce was something that I would not pick in the set menu for an order. The flavor was uninspired and median. This could use improvement.

Red Cooked Chicken was a decent main. If one prefers chicken over fish then this is the to go item. The chicken was juicy with vibrant flavors and had a spicy undertone which could be perceived while swallowing. It also paired greatly with both the rice and the noodles making it an all around good main.

The set priced at 1099 is a decent fare for anyone with an Asian craving and the desire to eat at a beautiful place. It does have its shortcomings too. No Chinese fare or set meal is ever complete without the inclusion of a pork based dish. The lack of any pork option was conspicuous by its absence. Maybe this can be rectified in the future.

The Honey tossed Noodles with ice cream served as the sweet part of the menu though I would have preferred a different dessert. This was far too common place now days across Chinese menus.  Something like Grass Jelly, Red Bean soup or almond Jelly would have made better options.

The Ambiance, service and the pricing are all excellent. The food has its ups and downs but in all completeness, this was a great experience. I am still amazed at how the restaurant manages such an easy on the pocket pricing given that its within a five star in a super prime location. All good for us, the food loving folks. Though it should be noted that it is for Lunch only.

The Captain's Score : 8/10

Map Co-Ordinates
The Oriental Blossom,
Hotel Marine Plaza,
29, Marine Drive,
Mumbai


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

Christmas menu at Gaylord's - Churchgate, Mumbai.

Mumbai's vibrant and diverse social environment often reflects well in the city's food culture too. Like all major festivals, Christmas also brings its own unique festive cheer and food. This is also a time for many a restaurants to feature limited time Christmas menus.

Gaylord which happens to be one of my regular places also had a limited time Christmas menu which featured a mix of North Indian winter favorites and Western dishes. In an era of foodporn and Instagram - It is easy to miss out on a lot of delicious food just because Instagram did not deem it pretty enough to discuss.

The offerings on Gaylord's Christmas menu were among some of the best food that I have had, but it wasn't very camera friendly. So I took it upon myself as a mission. Words shall achieve what the camera couldn't. I shall chronicle my delicious voyage at Gaylord and my encounter with their Christmas menu.

(This menu stays till the 4th of January, 2017 so do make sure not to miss it.)

In Gaylord's own words Eat, Drink and be Merry. The menu may not completely follow the Christmas theme but be rest assured that the food is enough to bring the festive cheer.

Choco Flakes Colada was a bitter sweet drink inspired from the Pinacolada. It had a lot of tangy flavor from the Malibu and Pineapple. The drink felt like I was on the beach at sunset with partly clouded skies and a party vibe. It had a tropical feel to it and reminded me of my time at the pristine Sri Lankan beaches. The chocolate flakes did not feel necessary but complement well with the Kahlua.

The Xmas Fig and fruit Salad was a lighter option to the appetizers. This one in particular felt clean and healthy. There were sweet, salty and mildly spicy flavors in there.

Boti Parathe Pe. It would not be Gaylord without their trademark North Indian dishes. This was a special edition dish with paneer stuffed parathas topped with lamb nuggets. The parathas were soft and the paneer stuffing was spicy and aromatic. The meat topping was tender, savory, succulent and just the right rare. It exuded a pleasantly smokey flavor owing to it being coal grilled. This is definitely something that I would recommend.

Roast Turkey reminded me of Thanksgiving but there is Christmas Turkey as well. This was a slice of stuffed turkey with sausages styled like flowers. It also had a pleasantly sweet undertone thanks to the usage of cranberry sauce. Served with Broccoli, carrots and potato mashing - this was a complete meal in itself.

The pricing is on par with Gaylord's general pricing structure. I would say that its a good buy for the money. Gaylord does not believe in presentation theatrics and serves only good food.

I have skipped ambiance, general information and service from this review but if you have been following me - I have covered these in an earlier post about Gaylord. You can read it here.
Gaylord's earlier Review

Do note that you too can savour this menu. It stays on till 4th of January, 2017. 

The Captain's Score : 8/10
 

Map Co-Ordinates
Gaylord,
Mayfair Building,
VN Road,
Churchgate, Mumbai


-I was invited to sample the Christmas menu but I have been here enough on my own. My post is objective and free from any biases.-

Happy 60, Gaylord.

In 1956, Kwality group opened an eatery in Churchgate which grew on to become a legend in the passage of time. November has been a bittersweet month for Indians following the chaos caused by the overnight demonetization. However, there are still some things which brighten up the darkest night. Gaylord's sixtieth anniversary party was one of them.

This be the season of weddings and Gaylord looked prettier than most marriage venues. Its sixtieth birthday party had a lot of big names on the invite list. Celebrities, journalists, Social luminaries and even some bloggers like yours truly.

Ask anyone who has lived or has even been to this part of Mumbai and everyone shall agree that Gaylord is an icon among eateries. Its ever evolving menu has attracted people from all walks of life to it. Whether one is a struggling actor, a big film producer, a decorated army man, a celebrated adventurer, a renowned journalist, a tired office goer or even a humble blogger - everyone loves good food. Gaylord's rich Indian food and its famous bakery are two highlights of our fair city. Started by the Lambas in the 1940s, The Kwality group has been nurtured by three generations of the Lamba family. And Gaylord Mumbai is one of their finest crafts.

Like good wine, Gaylord has only grown better with time.

This restaurant introduced fine dining to old Bombayites and new Mumbaikars alike. From fine food to snacks and ice creams - Kwality group has been a pioneer in the Indian restaurant industry. Though the parent group is headquartered in Delhi, its Mumbai's establishment is arguably its most popular outlet. And it can charm even the most travelled of people as was seen in this very party with invitees going gaga over the lavish cheese and biscuit spread.

Several kinds of cheese and biscuit platters adorned the fancy spread in the centre. One could pick a drink of their choice and grab the exotica on the platters. Live music provided the perfect backdrop as a singer dished out popular pop and rock numbers from the 80s Billboard.

What Birthday party is complete without a cake? This regal delight was undoubtedly the centrepiece of the party. This classy cake embodied the spirit of "Yeh hai Bombay meri Jaan" with a print of Marine drive on it.

And here is a picture of the Lamba family. Dhruv Lamba, a third generation member of the family uncorks the ceremonial champagne and brightens the scene with festive cheer.

This fabled restaurant finds mention in many global guidebooks including the Lonely Planet. No trip to Mumbai can be complete without a visit to Gaylord. Be a part of History, savor classy North Indian dishes and have a grand time at Gaylord. Sixty gone and the restaurant is still in its prime.

Pizza by the Bay - Churchgate, Mumbai

The sea roared as the night set in. My ship sailed along the coast and I was glued to me looking glass. I was spying the land for a good grub zone. Then suddenly me eye caught a famous place that I had never been to. I ordered the crew to dock in nearby. Pizza has always been tis' Captain's favorite and a Pizzeria is always an easy winner among choices. As the ship came to a halt, the delectable aroma of pizza was already calling me to it. Just like a siren, who calls on lovelorn sailors in the North.

It was a chance encounter of some sorts. I was in this part of town and just came out of a Jeffery Archer book signing session. While passing Marine Drive, I faced a lot of big name restaurants that I had always wanted to go to. And there stood Pizza by the Bay. It was dinner time and I had a craving for pizza. What better chance I exclaimed as I marched in.

Pizza by the Bay has a spectacular Al-Fresco which faces the sea and the busy marine drive road. It is quite a sight to see during breakfast and serves as a nice meeting place for friends and office folk. The indoors are equally impressive. Although small in size, it has a pleasant and simple appearance. When I write simple, I mean the comfortable kind of simple. One could close their eyes and relax with their drinks. The wall of jazz as I would like to put it is a wall with many pictures of Jazz Legends. If one is really imaginative, one could close their eyes and hear them playing. Which could also be a side effect of too much wine.

Due to the constant Hunger Pang sorties in my stomach, we wasted no time in placing the order.

Frittelle Di Formaggio Doppio is a delicious vegetarian starter that pleases both carnivores and herbivores. It uses two kinds of cheeses - Cottage Cheese and Cheddar. These are wrapped in bread crumbs and sprinkled with Mediterranean spices. The taste is addicting and one could easily get mesmerized into Cheeseland. These Cheese fritters are some of the finest that I have ever had. These are served with a generous amount of Fries. The item wins on both plating and taste.

Captain : Oi, save some fritters for me too.

Crew mate : But I just had one Captain.

Captain : How greedy of you lad !

Risotto Siciliana is an atypical Risotto which mystifies you with its appearance. Despite not being served with a typical disc like shape, this is the real deal. Thankfully, it is made with genuine Arborio Rice and not long grained Indian rice varieties. A real Risotto must always use Arborio. The smell and flavor both suggest a strong presence of Garlic. Its cooked with butter and cheese which gives it a smooth-slippery texture. The dish also contains plum tomatoes and eggplant. Overall, a strong flavored dish. This is available in three variants - The plain one for the vegetarian types, the chicken variant and the shrimp variant.

Captain : Now this is how a good rice meal should truly taste like.

Crewmate : Maybe we can ask the ship cook to make this sometime.

Captain : My ship has a cook ?!

Pizza Mista reminds me of a famous Chicago pizza chain by the same name. But forget the name, the pizza is an excellent meat craver's pizza. It has an appearance that is reminiscent of a temperate forest in autumn. The colors are vibrant. I haven't seen a pizza plated in a prettier manner than this. The pizza gives out a distinct aroma of Ham and bacon along with the spices used in it. It is loaded with Ham, Bacon and Salami shreds. To provide balance, it has just the right amount of olives, red and yellow bell peppers. Each bite is almost an otherworldly experience. With each bite you get the meat, cheese and olives in your mouth. Its perfect. Also to add, the pizza is not too oily.

Captain : Would you look at that? Islands of meat sit on a sea of cheese. And there are nice little bell pepper bridges connecting them.

Crewmate : That was profound and cheesy in the literal sense. Ever considered being a food writer?

Captain : Hmm.

Baked Citrus Cheesecake was a regular cheesecake coated with berry compote and served with some seasonal fruits and whip cream. Though satisfactory, I will say that I have had better cheesecake.

Surprisingly, Panna Cotta was missing from the menu but that is no biggie I guess.

The Service is one of the better features of Pizza by the Bay. They are professional, polite and diligent. They did not err even once. I rarely see service equal to this, let alone better.

The pricing could be on the higher side. Although, such is expected from an eatery on this side of town. The experience is completely worth it and the fact that the restaurant has done roaring business for ages is a testament to that.

If you are in Mumbai, then a trip to Pizza by the Way is a must. For the food and for the experience.

The Captain's Score : 9/10

"Back to the dark seas must we go to, on towards destinations unknown. We shalt be back someday but for now we must sail on."

Map Co-Ordinates
Pizza By the Bay

143, Soona Mahal, 

Marine Drive, 

Churchgate, Mumbai.

Phone:022 2284 3646 

-I dined and paid for my own meal-