Copa - Juhu,Mumbai.

This island was a dangerous place. Ruins everywhere and ragged shipwrecked sailors hiding in makeshift houses. We moved in a stealthily manner escaping the attention or sight of the island's desperate inhabitants. The map and the last clue showed an ancient symbol as the mark and we faced a crumbling structure covered with that symbol. Could the fabled compass be inside? We had traveled long and far, battled greedy adversaries and faced monsters. The crew wanted the quest to end and that we go back to our regular carefree ways. I wanted that too but not without the compass.

Copa is a pub that has been around for many years. Its located on a coastal strip which I fondly call as the Caribbean of Mumbai. This strip is famous for its eateries, beaches and a party vibe. Copa is among one of the favorite destinations on this strip for people seeking drinks and cheer. Its a minimal lighting restaurant that is best suited for escaping attention of the world and enjoying grog and grub. Copa has a rustic looking Al-Fresco, a minimal lighting indoor area and a rooftop area which seems to be under development.

Tangy Mangy was a colorful, sweet and a spicy cocktail made from spiced Rum, Cola and Fresh orange juice. The potency was mild and its more of a "Lets get this party started" kind of a drink. 

Classical Manhattan was more of an alcoholic based beverage as its flavor was dominated by whiskey and the taste was bitter. This had far higher potency and would go well with chicken or a long night of Bro talk.

Butter Chicken Tacos is an idea that is famous abroad but for some reason is completely unheard of in India. Copa's butter Chicken Tacos were simply amazing. These were made of Tortilla shells stuffed with soft succulent chicken chunks oozing out flavor of the famed curry with every bite. It smelled good, it looked good and it tasted good.

Captain : For some odd reason, I feel like eating Butter Chicken.

First Mate : Seriously? All this in the midst of exploring a potentially dangerous structure? 

Captain : I don't know. Its as if, another version of me in another dimension is having Butter Chicken right now as we speak.

First Mate : Science fiction overload.

BBQ Chicken Pizza. Do note that square pizzas are not the same as flatbreads despite the resemblance. Though not very aesthetically pleasing, this pizza was one of the best pizzas that I have ever had. It was loaded with cheese, grilled onions and huge chunks of chicken glazed with BBQ sauce. The flavor was extremely pleasing to the palate. This Pizza makes an excellent choice for mass pizza gatherings. It was gourmet grade pizza for just INR 250.

Captain : Woah, I didn't realize that such a large abyss could be inside a small structure like this.

First Mate : Ever heard of the fourth dimension, Captain Science fiction.

Crewmate : There is a rope bridge over the abyss leading somewhere into the darkness. 

First Captain : We should probably rope ourselves to this end, that bridge looks dangerous...Oye where did he go?

Chicken Steak with herbed potato mashing and mushroom sauce. Chicken steaks are rare to come across as the word steak is usually associated with red meat. Copa's Chicken steak was a perfect white meat emulation of the red meat favorite. The chicken was medium rare and tasted well. The soft potato mashing went well with small bites of chicken and mushroom sauce. The dish was scrumptious though I felt that oyster sauce would have worked better than Mushroom sauce. This dish would go great with an aged red wine.

The service was average as our server appeared a little lost. He stumbled a lot on descriptions and recommendations as well.

The pricing felt on the easier side for a place of this calibre. The food was certainly cheap though the drinks were priced as those are everywhere else.

Copa feels like a fun place, a place to disappear into when you need to get far away from the world's ever curious and intruding gazes. The only thing that Copa lacks is a proper dessert menu. Would love it if they add something beyond the old Brownie bit.

The Captain's Score : 8/10

"

First Mate : Great, so we are over a wobbling rope bridge that seems to lead nowhere and we can fall down anytime. Thanks to you.

Captain : What are ya on about? Don't ya like adventure? 

First Mate : But this was dangerously reckless mate. We don't even know whats beyond and we are on an island of desperate sailors willing to kill and snatch without hesitation.

Crewmate : Sirs, there is a sound up ahead.

Captain : Hark, what is it mate? That sounds like wind.

First Mate : Strong Wind.
"

Map Co-Ordinates
Copa
Anna Building,
13th road, Opposite Juhu Gymkhana,
Juhu, Mumbai

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

MRP - Dadar East, Mumbai

This be a strange day. There was a strong wind blowing but we were surrounded by mists. Winds usually clear the mist. The only reason the mist could still persist is something blocking it from being blown away. Even a large island with huge mountains isn't big enough to stop the winds. All of a sudden, Nina started meowing very loudly. She must have sensed something. I asked the mates to reef and fold the sails. The ship must be brought to a stop. As the ship stopped, I heard a gentle thud near the bow. Did we hit ground? Firsty walked up to the bow and extended his hand out. 

"Gentlemen, we are facing a wall of ice."

MRP or My Regular Place is another star from the Pritam Hospitality's stable. These are the same people behind ventures like Pritams Dhaba, Grandmama's Cafe and Please Don't Tell. Located inside the group's star Hotel in Dadar east, this bistro promises 3G - Good Grog, grub and games. As opposed to the Cafe and pub kind of food in PDT and Grandmamas, MRP promises a fine dine experience.

The restaurant is large, dim lit and has a party vibe to it. The bar is like an illuminated island. The decor is full of bar game themed artwork. The place offers many bar games like Jenga, Mini Foosball, Shoot the ball in cup, Uno etc. It even offers a giant Jenga which requires your muscles rather than your fingers. This makes the place a fun hangout for weekend binges.

The restaurant is a bright star in the otherwise quiet and lackluster Dadar east neighborhood. I expect it to join the list of famous themed bars across Mumbai.

The place offers good booze at cheap rates. Far lesser than most places of the same level. The variety is great but one must honor a place by trying its specialties.

Japanese Onsen was a strong drink with salty and mildly sweet flavors. I somehow perceived myself standing near the sea during a rainstorm while having this drink. This was made by mixing Gari(Young ginger) infused Tequila, peach puree, lime and salt foam. The salty foam dominated the drink and gave the sea like feel to it. The other ingredients had more subtle effects and provided a bit of sweet and sour tones. I loved this mix.

Captain : A wall? Lets break it and move ahead.

First mate : That may be hard. For the wall to block the winds, it must be both large and thick.

Navigator : We are stuck here until the fog lifts Captain.

Tiki Torii was a candy like sweet drink with subtle bitter undertones to it. The flavor was excellent and the three Rums were mixed appropriately into the drink. Presence of cranberry and pineapple increased its sweetness. The only thing that peeved me about this drink was the large amount of ice. Though not as mesmerizing as the Onsen, this was still a decent drink.

Sesame Ginger Chicken Dimsum was made with finely minced chicken in a thin dumpling wrapper. The taste felt slightly like curried chicken with subtle amounts of Ginger. The dumpling melted in my mouth. While not the best, this was a decent dimsum comparable to those found in most upscale Chinese restaurants.

Prawns Ajilo was prawns soaked in a thin curry which contained Kaffir lime butter. The curry itself was delectable but the alchemy wasn't complete without the melt in your mouth soft Baos. Stuff your prawns and curry into the Bao and have a bite of heavenly grub. The flavor pampered my taste buds. Easily the dish of the day.

Captain : (Lifts Nina up) Love, you know a lot about this sea. Don't you? 

Nina : Nya :3

Captain : If only you could tell us how to get out of here.

Quartermaster : Losing your marbles already mate? What will talking to a cat achieve?

The Boneless Lamb shanks were a testament of the restaurant's fine dining caliber. These were tender delectable shanks which were juicy in every bite. These were well complimented with a side of kimchi flavored arborio. The meat was drizzled with Tamarind jus which added a zingy flavor to the savory base. The dish combined a lot of food cultures like Korean, Chinese and Italian. It is extremely pleasant to the palate. I would greatly recommend this to the reader. MRP's Lamb Shanks is one of the best lamb dishes that I have had till date.

Drunken Chocolate Sundae was my second choice after my original choice deconstructed Cheesecake was not available. It was a mixture of Waffles, ice cream, a bit of mousse, chocolate syrup, Banana and Caramel sauces, Caramelized popcorn and Bailey's sauce. Was a good mixture though I felt that the caramel popcorn felt a bit harder than desired.

Captain : What if the fog never lifts? We cannot leave ourselves to the weather's mercy.

First mate : What do you suggest we do?

Captain : Lower a dinghy, time to explore this part of the sea.

Navigator : I wouldn't advise that Captain. You can get lost in the mists, plus we don't know what is in the water. Sharks? Kraken? Rabid News Anchors?


The service was decent for the most part. My entire course was suggested by my server Akshay Kumar. Cool name right?

The pricing felt easy for the drinks but on par for the grub with most pub and bistro like outlets. I would place MRP at a higher rank than most Pubs in town so I feel that the grub is well worth the moolah.

MRP felt special because of its vibes, music and its offerings. For any person who calls themselves a gastronome of any measure, this place is MUST visit.

The Captain's Score : 8/10

"

Captain : Its night already. We wait till morning, after which we will have to find a way out.

First mate : That I agree with. We don't want to die facing a wall.

Gunner : If only we were a few paces away from the wall, I could have tried firing at it with the cannons.

Engineer : If you fire at this close range, there is a good chance that ice shards from the wall would destroy the ship itself.

Gunner : Yes, that is why I need the distance.

"

Map Co-Ordinates
Inside Pritam Hotel,
20, Dharamputra,
Pritam Estate,
Dadar East, Mumbai


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

Lighthouse Cafe - Worli, Mumbai.

We sailed on the Sea of shipwrecks for the first time. Till now, it appeared calm just like any other day in the ocean. However, we had not seen land for quite some time. It was as if there was no land in this part of the world. But what of the legendary islands and the great taverns that were said to be located within this sea? Were their existence mere myths? Our ship was running dangerously low on rations. We just had two days of stock left. Perhaps, there was a deeper sense in why this sea is called a ship's graveyard. Sailors starve and die. Just then the lookout rang the bell frantically.

I took out me looking glass and saw where he was pointing at. There seemed to be a lighthouse in the distance. It stood on a small island. There was also a small village around the lighthouse. I almost jumped with joy as I directed me mates to set course for the Lighthouse. We could restock now.

This was my first trip to Lighthouse cafe, Worli but second trip for the brand. I had visited and enjoyed the burger festival at the Khar outlet a few months back. This time it was a Food and Wine festival.

The Worli outlet has about the same area as the one in Khar but it divides itself into two sections. A glass walled and air conditioned outer area faces the Worli roads and feels like a Al-Fresco. While the interior area feels like a bar or a lounge. The decor is a mix of contemporary and a bit of steampunk. The steampunk bit comes from the decor that resembles the inside of an old lighthouse like pressure gauges and industrial pipes. The lighthouse is a dim lit pub ideal for evenings.

Lets say that if the road outside is like a sea then this lighthouse directs hungry and thirsty sailors towards a satiating meal. Makes sense right?

(Menu provided by Restaurant's PR)

The festival sees nine different wines paired with the grub. The lighter and younger wines paired with the appetizers while the aged and more flavorful wines paired with the mains. It is truly a unique culinary experience which has a special food and drinks menu. Post 31st May, things will go back to normal and none of the items on this menu will be available.

I tried an appetizer, a main paired with its wine and a dessert.

Assorted Seafood was colorful and pleasant to the eyes. For those into Foodporn, a different version of this picture can be found on my Instagram. This dish had Prawns, Basa, Calamari and mussel marinated with white wine and Tarragon tossed in. The taste was almost perfect. It was a nice mix of Mediterranean and French themes.

There was but one problem with this, Basa isn't seafood. A sea fish would have worked wonders adding natural saltiness and an oceanic feel.

Captain : What? Potatoes for 200? That's four times more than what we paid elsewhere.

Grocer : Well, this ain't elsewhere. We don't grow stuff here. We buy it from passing traders. 

Captain : But reselling it at this price? You are robbing me.

Grocer : Rich words coming from a pirate.

Captain : Don't judge me from my get up lad, I am no pirate.

Stuffed Chicken with White Bolognese. This was a well done breast of chicken stuffed with a mix made of white Bolognese, different kinds of mushrooms and roasted vegetables. The insides tasted amazing and pampered the tongue. The exterior felt a bit too well done to me, though this was not any different from chicken breast mains served in other Mumbai restaurants. This problem was compensated by the wine which completed the experience.

Myra reserve cabernet sauvignon 2014 had a better flavor than the Sulas and other young wines. It provided just the right balance needed to overcome the harsh Chicken breast exterior of the above. I am no wine connoisseur but I can tell when two things taste well.

Cappuccino Cheesecake did not taste like a traditional cheesecake. It was too soft and creamy to be one. But it did seem to be made of cream cheese and was quite delectable. I was almost tempted to ask for another portion of this. The sweet cream cheese blended well with the Cappuccino making the dessert feel like a mix between a pudding, cheesecake and a Tiramisu. The base was made of Oreo crumbs rather than Graham crackers which gave the dish a very decadent feel.

Captain : This is so delightful, so heavenly. I could have one more of this.

Tavern Owner : That would be 400 for one, 800 for two. 

Captain : Wait, What? 

Quartermaster : Well done mate, you just set of our budget by 400. >:(



The service was very professional throughout most of the course. The serving staff looked well kept, spoke English and was polite. The only flaw was that they did not follow the wine serving protocol. I was not shown a bottle and the wine filled glass came directly from the bar. In a wine festival, it is important to follow the said protocol to maintain the theme of the event.

The pricing at LHC appears to be on the higher side. While the quality of the ingredients and the fine dine finish justify a large part of that, the prices could have been a little lesser - say about twenty percent lesser.

Between the two Light house Cafes, I would actually bat for the Worli outlet. It felt better in both crowds and ambiance. The Khar outlet was a favorite of college students while the Worli outlet seems to cater to the working professional crowd. It could simply be an age thing though ha.

Note : The Food and wine festival concludes on the 31st of May 2016.

The Captain's Score : 8/10



"
Captain : So the island was expensive but at least we are loaded for another week.

First mate : Here is hoping we find more islands inside this sea. Dying from hunger is the worst way to go.

Navigator : We can still turn back. One week of rations can take us back to start of this sea. Moving forward would be the point of no return.

Captain : Barnacles, we did not come this far to turn back. Open the sails and move at full speed ahead.
"

Map Co-Ordinates
Light House Cafe,
Ground Floor, Sunville Banquets,
Dr Annie Besant Road,
Worli, Mumbai.


 -I was invited to sample the festivals offerings and hence the meal was on the house. My review however is objective.-




 

Farzi Cafe - Lower Parel, Mumbai

Me navigator laughed when I showed him my four co-ordinates. He said that we need not go to all four as only one of these lied on the map we found. I had completely forgotten about the map in my late night puzzle solving. The co ordinates pointed to a popular island in the Northern seas. I rang me ship's bell to wake up the crew. The half sails were opened fully. 

We were to move at full speed towards our destination. It was obviously to get to the Blue compass faster although my Engineer suspected that I had my eyes on yet another tavern. Well, she wasn't wrong ha. I stood with a foot on my ship's bow and let the ocean breeze kiss my face. I had a strange feeling that someone was watching me.

Farzi Cafe is the newest offering of Zorawar Kalra's "Massive Restaurants" group. It is the same brand that is behind Masala Library and Papaya. Farzi Cafe can best be described as a mix of a club, a tapas bar and a bistro in a modern debonair setting. Like Papaya, the mind boggling decor is done by Pronit Nath of Urban studio. This goes even a step beyond Papaya.

I was here on the occasion of a party organized by EazyDiner. A pre-launch party is always fun and lets one sample the grub and grog before anyone else.

If it is your first time and if you have any scientific curiosity then like me you will end up staring at that wall for a few minutes. This wall is specifically made to aid 3D mapping which seems to change with the music. The ambiance is dynamic and different lighting creates different scenes and emotions. Combined with the loud music and molecular cocktails, its a world of creative chaos. Chaos can be good and desirable sometimes. Every moment in Farzi is unique which will never repeat again.

Farzi means fake in Hindi but its fine usage can also extend to illusions or mirages. Farzi cafe is named on that notion. The ambiance with its 3D mapping and the food prepared with molecular gastronomy creates rather tempting illusions that will make one's senses dance to the waves.

Farzi defines itself as a Modern Indian Bistro but its much more than that.

The service was professional for the most part though I did run into a server who made me wait ages before he got my drink.Why did I come to service before food? Its because each server had a unique and a stylish hairdo. One cannot help but notice this.

The food and cocktails were typical of Massive group's love for Molecular gastronomy. It fuses western dishes with Indian techniques or vice versa using molecular gastronomy. Its not simply adapting dishes to Indian palates but to completely re-invent them.

Farzi Apple Foamintini had an amazing presentation. Its made out of green apple syrup, martini ingredients, mint and a foam made out of whip cream. When served, the dry ice beneath the martini cup shouts out jets of vapor in all directions. The flavor is a mix of bitter, sweet and tangy with a vanilla like undertone. The drink is mildly potent and quite seductive to the tongue. To me, this was the best of Farzi's queerly named cocktails. In fact, this will be my drink every time I go to any Farzi installations in the future.

Captain : I love this drink even though it has no rum. Yum.

Nina : Nya Nya ? >:3 

Captain : Eh, why are you here? Where did the mates go? Don't tell me that they slithered away to other taverns.

Three Muskeetear was another delectable bitter sweet drink though the shaved ice sphere felt like a turn off to me. It made a great visual effect but deteriorated the drinking experience. This drink was made of Chili, orange and Hersheys chocolate syrup mixed in whiskey. The flavor felt sweet and subtly bitter. The drink was more potent than the foamintini. I loved the flavor but the sphere should either have been smaller or not have been there at all.

Captain : I wonder if there is a clue hidden inside the ice sphere. (Bites)

Captain : Ok not, Brain freeze.

Nina : Nyayayaya >:3

The Delhi Belly Pork tikka was pork belly marinated in Indian herbs and covered with a glaze made out of murabba (fruit preserve). The skin felt a little tough but beneath it was a succulent and one of the best pork bellies that I have ever had. It literally melts in the mouth. While the outer skin was sweet the inner portion was salty and fatty. A must eat if you are a carnivore and this pairs with all cocktails.

Captain : Oooh this melts in me mouth. I want more... Hey! Nina.

Nina : Nya Nya :3 (steals pork belly tikkas and runs away)

Captain : Darn it, you cute little thief. You are the only one who steals from me and gets away with it.

Tempura Fried Prawns with spiced lemon foam tasted like a fusion of Japanese deep fried prawns and Mumbai street food. Though I am not fond of foam on my food(Don't ask why), the taste here was simply divine. The foam ensures that the flavors do not interfere with each other. Any other method will cause the flavors to mix and result into something unpalatable.

The Farzified Vada Pao was a delectable little potato dumpling. This dumpling was made out of finely minced potato and the flavor had permeated evenly to every part of this dumpling. This was a more sophisticated and a perfected form of Mumbai's favorite snack. The only flaw was that the Paos were absent on the scene.

Amritsari Fish and Chips with Desi ghee Hollandaise was a dish comprised of deep fried fish cutlets served with a Hollandaise dip that used Indian clarified butter(ghee) instead of regular butter. This was a passable affair as I felt that the cutlets were a little too hard for my liking. Too much batter and too little fish.

Gupta Burger was a delectable deep fried potato patty mixed with spices and served in mini buns. So it was more like a Gupta slider. This was supposed to be an emulation of street burgers sold in Delhi by the same name. Though I have never had its namesake, I can positively attest that this was a good bar nibble.

Smoked Bacon and Pyaaz ki Kachori was a fusion of rustic, smokey bacon with an onion dumpling and served with a reduction of potato jus(Rassa). This was a good novelty even though it appeared more like a stacked appetizer rather than a truly fused food.

The Galouti Burger was made of finely minced lamb meat. The meat was so soft that even a toothless person could eat it. The minced meat was placed inside a soft burger and tasted like a very flavorsome meat bun. It reminded me of my trip to Hong Kong and the meat buns there. A good eat if you want plain good food without theatrics.

Dal Chawal Arancini - Italian arancini balls given an Indian vegetarian twist. These were filled with a stuffing made of rice, lentils, peas and greens. And were topped with a poppadom roll and served with pickle and chutney. Delectable little flavor bombs.

FFC or Farzi Fried Chicken is a play on KFC. One is served a truckload of these drumsticks though the truck is a miniature model ha. The chicken felt a little uninspired, tough and try. This was perhaps the only thing that disappointed me completely. The smoked BBQ cream dip did not help much.

Mishti Doi grapes - Continuing Massive group's love for playing with Mishti Doi (Remember the lollipops at Masala Library) were these grapes made using molecular gastronomy. These grapes would explode in the mouth releasing a sweet flavor of the Mishti Doi. Serves as a good palate cleanser between courses.

Bailey's pops were mini desserts made of Irish cream. These would dissolve fast in the mouth suggesting that these were made using Liquid Nitrogen. Decent dessert but gets over too fast. I would rather have a cup with a few of these balls than a pop. Farzi has more dessert options but this was the only one that I could sample that night.

Captain : A single pop is not sufficient dessert fer me :( 
(walks out)

First Mate : Oye, follow me mate. We found something interesting from the roof tops.

Captain : What are you fellas doing on the roof tops?

First mate : We just fought off rogues mate. Thought it would be wise to go to the tallest structure and inspect for any other trouble heading in our direction.

Farzi's pricing will be along the lines of Papaya. It will be on the higher side but given the exceptional quality of some dishes and the unique ambiance, the price is well worth the buck.

Farzi Cafe has been a big hit in Gurgaon, winning many awards. It has now arrived and brought a bit of Delhi's social scene to Mumbai. Masala Library and Papaya are already hits with the eat out crowd. Will Farzi complete Massive's hat trick? Lets find out. Farzi Cafe opens to the public on the first week end of May, 2016.

The Captain's Score : 8/10

"
Captain(on the roof top of a skyscraper) : (Sees a board with "Glutton" written on it) 
What is this?


First Mate : (Pulls out a dagger) For the Crew.  (Stabs Captain)


Captain(Shocked but sees that he is unhurt) : You are pulling a Jon Snow on me?

First Mate : Just messing. Cardboard Knives ha.

Captain (awkward silence) : Ok, so why the hell did ya call me up here?

Gunner : Look at the lights below.

Captain : They collectively seem to form a funny shape. Why?

Navigator : Look at the map. That funny shape is marked here.  

Captain(Brief stern silence) : Hmm. This region...Its the Sea of Shipwrecks.
"

Map Co-Ordinates
Farzi
Kamla Mills,
Near Radio Mirchi Office,
Lower Parel, Mumbai


 -I was invited by Eazydiner to a pre-launch party. I was not expected to write a blogpost and this post is from my own free will and written with objectivity. -





 

Boveda Bistro - Andheri Lokhandwala, Mumbai

The sun shone upon the high seas. The battle was upon us. The flags were raised. Our cannons against their artillery and bazookas. My cannoneer was a much better marksman hitting the enemy ship hard. They had advanced weapons but poorly trained gunners. One of my cannonballs pierced the hull of the enemy vessel effectively sealing its fate. The rogues then steered their sinking ship towards a small isle. This battle will now move to the land. But hark, what does my looking glass see? A small restaurant on the island. Battle does make me hungry.

I had visited Boveda(Catalan: Vault) a few months back. A lot has changed since then. Boveda has transformed itself into a bistro from its past bar avatar. Hence, its more in the food mainstream now. I received a mail(My inbox is really tasty these days) from Syesha Kapoor to come sample the grub at her restaurant - Boveda. Not privy to the developments, I mentioned that I did visit Boveda a while back. Syesha however told me of the redevelopment and requested that I give the new place a try.

The establishment retains its ambiance. The walls look more elegant with a touch of subtle artistry. The lighting is still dim from Boveda the Bar days. The restaurant is located in the popular food district of Andheri Lokhandwala. It is surrounded by dusty lanes which are quite parched in the summer. As such, the restaurant tends to feel like a calm, cool, dim and comfortable retreat. It is almost like an oasis in the middle of the desert. The bar with its cage like woodwork and bright lighting mimics a rock concert stage.

One new addition to the interior is a live counter fashioned like an American food truck. It feels like a novelty to the ambiance.

Oldies from the 30s and 40s echoed in the premises when I entered. I actually liked that, though I was told that the music was random. In my opinion, the music added to the tranquility of the Bistro.

The culinary commander(because that sounds cooler than head chef) Swapnil Mulundkar helped me with my choices for the main course. Vinod(The resident Captain) helped me choose the new appetizers and cocktails. So lads and lasses, time to move on to ze grub.

Maiden's Prayer - Legend has it, that once the Gods fought the Titans at the edge of the world. Their thirst was significantly weakening their abilities against their enemies. Seeing this, Hera the sister of Zeus prayed to the heavens and out poured a pink elixir that instantly energized the Gods. Since that day, the elixir came to be known as Maiden's prayer.

If you believed that, then my story telling ability is improving. Coming back to reality, this is a concoction made out of vodka, pomegranate, passion fruit and lime. It feels sweet and tangy while its kick feels spicy. This is not to be confused with 1930's New Orleans cocktail by the same name.

Captain : A battle makes a man thirsty and crazy, this pink elixir be me savior.

First mate : We must find those ruffians. They are hiding somewhere.

Captain : They are after the blue compass, they must be in one of the eateries.

Unkempt Stranger : Psst. Heard ye folks are looking for someone.

The classical Pina colada was perfect with its flavor and proportions. This sweet cocktail cooled me completely. Wait, has Summer started already?

Aioli Scented Chicken was among the establishment's top sellers. This chicken was marinated in aioli and delectable flavors would simply burst out the moment I thrust my teeth into the meat. The flavor was quite addictive. This entree was served with a side of paprika based sour cream. The protein went well with the dip. I am glad I listened to Vinod.

Captain : We are looking for a bunch that appears beat up and smells of defeat.

Unkempt Stranger : Name's Narakdu, I saw the men you describe hiding in an alley. 

Captain : Good, can ya lead us there mate?

Unkempt Stranger : Of course.

First mate : And ya don't want anything in return?

Unkempt Stranger : A piece of chicken would be nice.

Bacon wrapped Chicken was served with lyonnaise potatoes, pesto jus and a ton of French beans. The Bacon tasted well, though the chicken felt a little insipid. The beans were far too many for my liking, it affected the plating. In my opinion, the quantity of the beans should have been halved and probably chopped into smaller pieces. The pesto jus rescued the day as it countered the chicken's blandness. This dish however does need improvement.

Chorizo Ragout and Mascarpone pizza - This pizza was loaded with stewed Chorizo pieces and loads of mascarpone cheese. The pizza felt creamy, savory, smoked and slightly sweet in flavor. It was an interesting use of Chorizo, the flavor was a first time for me. The pizza was delectable but I felt that there was scope for improvement. For example, a bit of increase in the savory content would work wonders.

Chocolate Gooey Cake looked really pretty and tasted well. I however felt that it was a bit pedestrian in flavor. The cake itself wasn't very gooey rather being a bit dry and crumbly. This could however be because I was comparing it with the Gooey cake that I had last week. The last one set the bar really high.

The service was perfect, Vinod was very professional. The crew appeared a little small and could be under strain during rush hours.

The pricing is variable. Some items appear on the higher side like the sandwiches for example but then the pizzas feel cheap. The costs come to roughly 1400 INR for two people which makes it par with most pub cum restaurants across town.

Boveda is located in a locality where people are spoilt for choice and faces intense competition especially from Brewbot next door. Come to Boveda for their cocktails, their innovative pizzas and well researched European mains. Come to Boveda for the calm, privacy and fine dining.

The Captain's Score : 8/10

"
(Party walks to a dark alley)
Captain : Where are the people we talked about?

Narakdu(laughs) : You don't get it do you?

Peter the Cheater(approaches from the shadows) : Gullible lads walked right into my trap.

Rocky : We are going to end this here. And we will take yer ship in exchange for sinking ours.

First mate : (Takes out a sword) My my, things keep getting interesting don't they?

Captain : Peter, Rocky and Narakdu. I offer you a last chance to walk away. Your lives will be spared. 

Peter : (Laughs with Rocky and Narakdu) Fat chance Captain, yous gonna leave this world and yer map, ship and treasures will be mine.
"

Map Co-Ordinates
Boveda Bistro
G 04, Morya Landmark 1 ,
Off New Link Road, Lokhandwala,
Andheri Lokhandwala, Andheri West


 -The meal was on the house as I was invited by the owners. My review however is objective.-

Please Don't tell - Lower Parel, Mumbai

We had sailed to a rather strange area in the sea. The map showed no land but yet there was a small island with a village over here. It wasn't just this ancient map but all other maps had nothing here. Bizarre! A small red rectangle and a number were scribbled on the supposed spot. I wondered what it meant. Was it some riddle or a joke the map maker played on us? One of me mates then pointed at a red colored phone booth and mentioned that those kinds of booths had not been seen for decades. 

Red Rectangles, Red booth! Could this be our clue? Lets find out if its true.
I went inside the booth which was facing a wall. I picked up the phone and dialed in the number scribbled on the map. Suddenly a wall moved and a secret tavern was revealed behind it. What in the sweet name of sweet Calypso just happened? Moreover, how does an ancient map point to a telephone booth which is a modern invention? The Blue compass mystery deepens.

Please Don't tell pays homage to the 1920s when the Prohibition act banned alcohol in the United States. Grog could only be obtained in hidden breweries and pubs which operated beyond the Government's knowledge. Getting caught meant jail and alcohol lovers had to go through great risks for their favorite brews. Ah the adventure of being a rebel.

An innocent looking Paan shop with a telephone booth next to it is the first thing you find at the perceived location of PDT. At this point, I wondered if I was at the wrong address until one of the staffers asked me to step inside the booth. He then picked up the phone and punched in a secret number.

And presto! The wall adjacent to me was revealed to be a secret door. A large tavern was completely hidden behind the booth and the paan shop. Oh yes, the hidden den thing is real and not just a namesake novelty. Though it only works the first time.

This large dim lit pub is excellent for an evening binge. The furniture seemed like an archetype of the early twentieth century and the chairs resemble those found in old underground gambling dens. The music is nice although the volume could be a little lower since loud music tends to blow the cover of a hidden society(get it?). The lighting is comfortable and time can pass really fast in here.

The food is great but totalers and the purely vegetarian folk may find lesser options. That doesn't deter me of course since I am neither. I was here to sample some goodies from their new grub menu. But before that, I sampled some of their Grog.

Mary Pickford named after a famous 20's actress is a prohibition era cocktail made out of White Rum, Maraschino(Cherry) liqueur, grenadine syrup and pineapple juice. PDT managed to replicate this perfectly. The cocktail was not too strong and had a mix of tang and bitter sweet flavors inside it. It paired well with the appetizers. It was a great experience for a Rum connoisseur like yours truly.

Puzzle Guzzle is a mystery that you gulp down with yer grub. Though it was a lesser experience compared to the concoction above, it still had its highs. This was a moderately strong Vodka cocktail mixed with ginger, grape fruit juice, lime, mint leaves and some cinnamon. Potency aside, I personally was peeved with the mint leaves floating at the top. The leaves may work with some drinks but not this.

Captain : Could this puzzle be a hint to our next clue?

Quarter master : Who cares mate? Drink hearty.

Captain : Yeah, ye are right :D

Squid Pro Quo was an average calamari. I felt that the batter coating on this was far too much than required. More than calamari, I felt as if I was eating salted fried batter with Louisiana sauce and Mango salsa.

Chicks on Sticks were teriyaki skewers served with a dip made out of peanut butter. These felt like something in between Yakitori and Satay. I love skewered chicken and these juicy bits were quite sumptuous. Though the lack of saltiness may trouble Indian palates not used to this kind of food.

Shroom with a view was an open sandwich with mushroom and cheese. Rosemary rock salt focaccia adds a dominant savory flavor but rejects saltiness. The balsamic reduction enhances the savoriness further along with some sweet tones. I quite enjoyed this sandwich and its unique bitter savory flavor. It felt very earthy and very Mediterranean. However, once again this may not appeal to a person who likes their food salty. But it works well for those who enjoy authentic western food.

The Keema Pav took a long time before finally making it to our table. And this platter was well worth the wait. The heavenly aroma was both mesmerizing and appetizing. Soft minced meat mixed with spices inside a soft fresh bun was a combination meant to please. This was the best Keema pav I have had in recent times. The only flaw was the liberal use of whole spices. It is a major turn off to encounter cardamom bags while chewing. Other than that, this item is not to be missed while at PDT.

The special Vada Pav platter is a treat for herbivores and carnivores alike. These bite sized Vada pavs were artistically plated with sweet chutney, spicy chutney and onion garlic powder. The patties melt in the mouth and feel very homemade in flavor.  Though not as amazing as the Vada pav at Ashok or Mithibai, this is good comfort food. Additionally, these weren't oily at all.

Captain : This is quite beautiful. The vada pav platter almost looks like six mountains facing four rivers ha. 

Quartermaster : Who Cares? Eat hearty.

Captain : Ya, you are right. Hey aren't ya being repetitive now mate?

Quartermaster : I had too much grog mate, gimme a break.

Butter chicken Risotto successfully combined two of my favorite dishes. The Butter chicken was A-ok as far as flavor was concerned. The meat was soft, juicy and savory. The butter was just right as the dish was not greasy. The tomato did not overpower the curry as in most places. The spices were used in moderation. The aroma was delectable, the kind that makes you dash across the room to grab a bite.

The risotto though overpowered by the chicken felt authentic. I forgot to observe whether it was Arborio or not but I enjoyed this dish too much to care. This dish was the highlight of the night. A successful marriage of Indian and Italian. Two of the world's best and ancient food cultures rolled into one.

Captain : The soft chicken and heavenly rice. Mmmmm.

Quartermaster : Stop wastin yer time and hunt for the next clue.

Captain : What the barnacles? Who was being the hearty one?

This Chocolate cake was soft, rich, creamy, decadent and full of sweet ganache. It was plated well but its dark coloring on a dark plate made it a challenge for photography. But trust me on this, it looked GOOD.

The Baked Cheesecake had amazing optics but the flavor was a polar opposite. The cheesecake felt close to a caramel pudding in taste, strangely. The typical cheesecake flavor was absent. And I could not associate any of the three cheeses(Cream cheese, Ricotta, Mascarpone) used to make different Cheesecakes with it.

The service was decent. Since the place wasn't full, we were attended by two people. As were other tables. Though, one of the servers was not very well informed about the food.

The pricing seems to be tilted towards the higher side. While many items such as the chicken skewers or the Calamari seem to be at par with similar pubs across the city, the drinks and the mains were priced higher. While the food was great and the drinks were simply amazing, I am of the opinion that the prices could be a wee bit lower.

To round this up, PDT is an amazing theme based pub which lives up to its deal. Visit this place for the vibes, the feeling of an underground community, prohibition cocktails, Keema Pav and Butter Chicken Risotto. Given its unique offerings, I suppose that all food lovers should at least visit this place once.

The Captain's Score : 8/10

"
Captain : No sign of the next clue. And the puzzle has gotten even more complex. How does an ancient map have a telephone booth marked on it?

Quartermaster : I be pondering on yer six mountains and four rivers thing.

Captain : What of it?

Quartermaster : There is an actual place like that.

Captain : Is it on our map?

Quartermaster : Doesn't seem to be marked but the co-incidence is too much. Don't ya agree?

Captain : I don't but what choice do we have mate? That is the only lead we have. Six mountains and four rivers ha. Must be quite the fertile land.

Quartermaster : A Land of farmers and their sons.

"

Map Co-Ordinates
Please Don't Tell
Kamala Mills,
Lower Parel, Mumbai


 -I was invited by the restaurants PR to sample the new menu. But my post is objective and neutral.-