The Runaway Project by PizzaExpress - Lower Parel, Mumbai.

There was this one episode in a satirical TV show where central characters manage to get into a fancy uptown restaurant only to be disappointed by the overly expensive minuscule portions of tasteless food.

Runaway project which tries to bankroll on the "goodwill" of its parent concern PizzaExpress is a real world example of that satire.

Located in the noisy second floor of the new Skyzone wing in the Phoenix mall complex, this restaurant has a classy lounge like ambiance where any notion of classiness fades away due to the deafening loud music that they play. Apparently, there is a competition going on between Runaway, Soda Bottle openerwala and Chili's where each tries to outdo the other by raising their volumes. The scene is worse than a foul mouthed politician's rally.

My small group decided to order two pizzas and an appetizer. Let me tell you that the pricing here is unforgiving. It is more expensive than the likes of Indigo and the food is neither good in quality nor quantity. I sometimes wonder if they are just extracting the prime location's expensive rent from the customers.

Here is what we ate : 

Cigar Club - Described rather fancily in the menu as Filo cigars of cottage cheese and marinated roasted peppers, spiced mayonnaise and balsamic glaze.

I wonder if they got a PR professional or a Food Blogger to write this fancy piece of falsehood.
The Spiced mayonnaise and Balsamic glaze were nothing but a few droplets sprinkled randomly in the ugly presentation above. Cottage Cheese translates to paneer here so its rather a cheap Paneer pastry snack that you can buy in most local street bakeries in Mumbai. The taste was dry and it required a dip like accompaniment which seemed to be missing. And I'd rather not call these six small pieces of puff pastry as cigars. Not to mention if your are paying INR 475 plus taxes for this - you expect a satisfactory portion size and a little bit of effort into making it look appetizing.

Hawaiian Pizza -  The Pineapple on pizza trope might trigger some pizza enthusiasts but fear not, they replaced actual pineapple with Pineapple paste(chutney). This pizza which is priced at an unforgiving INR 625 plus taxes, was smaller than the smallest of pizzas offered by most pizza exclusive places. It was rather unsatisfying to say the least. The menu strangely doesn't even mention the carpet bombing of Basil. The basil leaves completely ruin the flavor profile of this pizza. It seemed like a last minute addition by an inexperienced but over enthusiastic chef.

Giardiniera Pizza - Recommended by the server for the vegetarians in the group, this was a visually displeasing and overdone pizza (Burns on the crust). Needless to say that it was too less even for one person  - let alone be split by two people. The only thing big about this pizza was its name, one wonders if it was actually suggested by Dr. Shashi Tharoor.

This was definitely not worth the INR 625 we spent on it.

As the grub was far from satisfying or filling - we ended up going to Chili's next door to fill ourselves up. While there are similar expensive places around the city - the portion sizes there at least fill one up. Indigo has gone down in quality over the years but its pizzas at least feel satisfying, the same can be said for the pizzas at a place like Pizza by the bay.

The Runaway Project only appears to work on fancy nomenclature and paid promotions via "prominent"(but misleading) social media personalities. The ambiance is killed by the overly loud music, the pricing is bad and the food fails on all fronts.

Would I recommend Runaway Project to anyone? No. 
I'd have to say at this point - if you want a drink  - go to any bar themed restaurant in Phoenix. If you want a pizza go to Indigo or Francesco. If you want good mains - Go to Smokehouse or Delhi Heights.


The Captain's Score : 4/10

Map Co-Ordinates
S-1, Second floor, Skyzone,
Phoenix Mill Compound, S.B. Marg,
Lower Parel, Mumbai

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.-

Master Chef India 2016 - Masala Bay, Taj Lands End.

It was a normal afternoon a few years back when I had decided to start food blogging as a hobby. I had been a blogger for many years but food was a new niche for me. I remember myself as always being intrigued by good food and being turned on by food trends. If there was a new flavor of ice cream, I had to try it. New dish on the menu, had to try it. The passion was still unrefined and very suppressed. I remember watching Chef Sanjeev Kapoor's Khana Khazana and "Yan can cook" in the early 90s but that was all the gastronome background that I had.

As time progressed, I was enamored by MasterChef Australia and how they really took gastronomy to its zenith. I took baby steps into the food blogging universe by writing short Zomato reviews. Masterchef India was at this stage becoming bigger and bigger from where it started at Season 1 and both Masterchefs(Australia and India) filled me up with inspiration to the point where I could no longer contain it within me. I had to write out my feelings and my raw passion had finally refined into food blogging in the great cauldron of time.

Chef Vikas Khanna, Zorwar Kalra and Chef Kunal Kapur along with the head chefs at Taj

The nostalgia and these memories played in my head as I was included in a list of seven bloggers invited by Zomato, Star Plus India and most importantly Masterchef India for the exclusive premiere of Masterchef India 5. It allowed me to share the same table with culinary giants like Chef Vikas Khanna, Chef Kunal Kapur and superstar restaurateur Zorawar Kalra.

Within the premises of a special section inside Masala Bay at Taj Lands End, we were treated to the first episode of Masterchef season 5 a few hours before it was actually shown to the world. It is kind of thrilling to be a part of a premiere. Chef Amninder Sandhu of Masala Bay served us with a lavish North Indian fare comprising of Jhinga Kebabs, Galouti Kebabs, Butter Chicken , Dal Makhani, a Mutton Curry which was made using a family recipe and of course the desserts. She won the praise of not only the bloggers but also the Masterchef judges and one can be sure that the judges know their food well.

Masterchef season 5, Taj's amazing food and to be in the presence of stalwarts like Chef Vikas, Chef Kunal and Zorawar Kalra is a rare honor even for the best of food critics, bloggers and journalists. The euphoria was overwhelming. All this was brought together by the efforts of Zomato India and Star Plus India. Food Bloggers have come a long way into the industry which was once dominated by food journalists who viewed bloggers as easy to please outsiders.

This is partly due to Zomato which has transformed the food blogging scene completely. From a little known niche to a full blown industry. Zomato has been instrumental in transcending the food blogging scene beyond what one could imagine a few years ago. And Masterchef has been the ultimate source of inspiration for gastronomes in this side of the world. Ask any food blogger worth their salt about their favorite people and you will always hear answers like Vikas Khanna, Sanjeev Kapoor, Gary Mehigan - all Masterchef judges.

Masterchef Season 5 is a bit different from its previous installments. Its well paced, engaging, less on the decibel and more on the cooking. It brings Indian amateur cooks from all across the world this time for a Battle Royale like none other. Cooking is not just a hobby, it is a form of art that can be honed and channeled into something truly spectacular. Culinary masterpieces please more than one senses. The eyes, the nose and finally the tongue. Masterchef 2016 has just started. So who will win? Who will be India's next Masterchef? No one knows yet. Tune into Masterchef season 5 on Star Plus on weekend evenings. Lots of masala and lots of thrill, sometimes sweet and sometimes sour - This is an experience like none other.

Barbeque Nation - Hill Road, Bandra West, Mumbai.

Nina seemed to be quite adventurous. She moved around this strange town as if she knew the place. We followed her to some rather strange spots. First she led us to a place where the streams from the two gigantic waterfalls met. This place had a lot of good fish and was full of fishermen. Then she took us to a place with strange mountains which descended below the geode town. It was here where the upward cave passages existed. These mountains were like a chimney to the geode. But why did she bring us here? Suddenly there was a loud rumbling sound, the geode cavity was closing. Barnacles.

Iftar is the evening meal with which Muslims break their Ramadan fast. This meal like other festival themed meals is quite special and unique. While I am not Muslim or religious for that matter, it is certainly fun to try special meals. And where else but Barbeque nation. The place with its live grills and kebab traditions is one of the best places to serve an Iftar meal. The meal may not be identical to an Iftar experience in the Middle East but it certainly works well in India.

The ambiance is not much to talk about. It is a classical family restaurant which somewhat resembles their Marol outlet though feels a bit smaller. The furniture is very comfortable as with all BBQN outlets.

Not much different from the usual fare at BBQN, the stars were the Kebab starters and the desserts. The mains were a bit mediocre but one doesn't go for mains to BBQN. The buffet can be variable in cost depending on the day and time. On the day I went, the non vegetarian buffet cost INR 884. The spread was decent especially the desserts.

Caribbean Jerk stuffed chicken drumstick(Top) was full of flavor and the meat was cooked particularly well. It wasn't off the bone well but the meat was succulent with an explosion of flavors. While the primary flavor was of the Jerk spice mix, there was a strong Indian spice presence as well.

Fish Butter Kebab (Bottom Right) was a soft and buttery kebab that felt like a mix of egg and meat from the flavor. The flavoring here was subtle so those who prefer strong tastes could use one of the dips provided.

Mutton Khada Masala Seekh(Bottom Left) was a flavorful seekh kebab with a good aroma and many flavors. The meat was not dry suggesting hand work instead of machine work for mincing the meat. I quite enjoyed the flavor as I haven't had a decent seekh kebab in quite a while.

Captain : Nina could not possibly have known that the Geode was closing. 

Engineer : Cats do have a sixth sense.

Captain : But how did she know where these passages were?

Nina : >;3 Nya

The live grill Kebabs were a mix of hits and misses. The Thai Prawn Kebab(Extreme Left) for example was juicy and full of flavors though felt a bit strange on an Iftar menu.

The Tandoori Chicken(Center) felt very much like the classical kebabs that I have had all my life. The meat was soft but one must take care to keep rotating the skewer so it doesn't overheat.

The non Iftar menu regulars were a bit insipid in experience especially the other prawn kebab(third from left). The mushroom kebabs felt ok to me but could have been better judging from my previous BBQN experiences. Cajun Potatoes was as always the best vegetarian Kebab.

Chicken Wings was an item that wasn't intended to be a part of the Iftar meal but I was requested by the chef to try it. I do not remember experiencing it in my earlier BBQN trips so I loved sampling it. The meat was juicy and had the traditional Chicken wing flavor that I love so much. The meat was a bit lean on the bone though. More bone and less meat so perhaps that is one thing that can be looked into.

Mutton Chaap had an atypical variance here. The flavor was good but it tasted close to the Punjabi homemade mutton curry. It is not something that I expect from a Rib dish.

Captain : This passage has lights at distances to illuminate the path.

Crewmate : Seems these are as well used as the townsman claimed.

Captain : We should follow the lighted passage then, no detours unless we want to get lost.

Engineer : Your Cat didn't get that instruction. (Giggles)

The mains were mostly a mediocre affair. I will just discuss the Haleem here since its unique to Iftaar. Haleem is a stew made of lentils and minced meat. BBQNS version was accurate in colors, paste like consistency and even its flavor was great. But there was too little meat in the stew. The stew tasted mostly like a lavish dal rather than having the minced meat expected to be in it.

Bandra's BBQN takes pride in itself as the only BBQN with a live wok/subway like counter where patrons can design their own dishes. One can basically select the meats, greens, sauces and leave the chef to whip something out of them. I chose squid rings, lamb, onions and BBQ sauce to create a flavorful dish full of sweet and spicy flavors. I was afraid that I would mess it up but hey the chef did his magic in there.

As always BBQN has a great dessert counter. The goodies may look simple but taste amazing.

Mango Sasil was a mango mousse like dessert with a soft creamy yellow layer with a cake like layer bellow. This pastry tasted amazing. Mexican Maple almond pie was pretty amazing too. Sweet and containing almond meal - this was a simple looking dessert with crisp and fun flavor.

Captain : Nina, you will get us lost. Here kitty kitty.

Crewmate : Should we follow the Captain?

Quartermaster : What choice do we have?

Engineer : Where is your spirit of adventure boys?

One cannot conclude a trip to BBQN without their trademark do it yourself Kulfis. The kulfi counter is usually popular, filled with people who super size their kulfis with a ton of sweet ingredients. For me it was Fig Kulfi, caramel sauce, white chocolate chips and some fennel candy to get a great picture.


The service was acceptable though could have been better. The servers weren't sure whether drinks were a part of the special menu or not and there seemed to be some confusion over what goes into what kebabs. The chef had to assist us with that.

The pricing is fine as far as an unlimited buffet goes which includes unlimited desserts and kulfis ha. Some of the Kebabs are only unique to the Iftar menu and one can enjoy these till the 6th of July, 2016.

I have been to three different BBQN outlets so far and as always their best part is always the meal experience. The buffet always feels well worth the moolah spent. So if you want to sample some Iftaar delicacies, head straight to Barbeque Nation. Do hurry as the experience won't be back for another year post 6th of July.

The Captain's Score : 8/10

" 
Captain : Good thing I carried a flashlight. These side passages are dark.

Engineer : Hope we are not gonna run into trouble.

Quartermaster : Oye, seems like a dead end ahead. We can turn back then.

Captain : Why is Nina clawing on the wall? Is something there?

Quartermaster(Sighs) : I guess we are about to find out.

Captain : Hey there seems to be something on the wall. A Button? (pushes)

(Cave wall starts moving)

Engineer : A secret passage within a passage?
"

Map Co-Ordinates
Barbeque Nation
355, Ground Floor,
Ramdas Nayak Road,
Hill Road, Bandra West


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

Pizza Paradise at Cafe Free India - Lower Parel, Mumbai

A tree probably stood here centuries ago when this map was made. In today's time, a Cafe sits at the co-ordinates marked on the map. My quest for the Blue compass brings me crew to a small but busy island. I have been here before but never at this spot. I wondered what the next clue would be. But before all of that, I was hungry and there was a pizza festival inside the cafe. Quests can wait as a sailor needs his grub first.

Cafe Free India sounds very much like a battle cry for Freedom from colonial forces. Or perhaps it represents the Free India after that. I would agree with the latter looking at the continental menu. Cafe Free India, which started as a nondescript eatery many years ago has become a popular spot for office goers and students alike. Its burgers in particular are well known throughout the city.

But I was not here for that. There was a pizza festival going on(And will continue till 7th March, 2016) and it would be quite a shame not to sample their pizzas in this period. Food festivals are fun mate.

The ambiance feels very spartan. But despite that, there is a strange sensation of a comforting sanctuary in here. Perhaps it stems from the feelings of the white collared patrons who are temporarily relieved of their everyday stress as they gobble down some fine food. The art pieces that adorn the wall are made by local artists and are changed periodically. To be brief, the ambiance is that of a typical comfort cafe.

Sometimes, I wish that I could store food in a timeless fourth dimensional space. With that ability, I could have stored one of each pizza in my trans-dimensional refrigerator ha. Silly science fiction fantasies aside, I sampled two pieces on the menu.

But before I move on to the pizzas, a mention needs to be made to this Gingerade. This was a Ginger drink with a dash of lemon. It was refreshing, appetizing and somehow made me feel really good inside. I felt as if I could jump up and punch the moon if I wanted(or atleast the cafe's ceiling).

Think of it as a tastier version of the Green Tea. For many a years in my childhood, I had read about Ginger ales and Gingerades in Enid Blyton books. But I had never gotten around to trying these until today. And it was a great first time experience. 

Texas BBQ Chicken Pizza. There are two facts about this pie. One, it was a delectable pizza for sure. Second, it was not a BBQ chicken pizza by my expectations. The chicken may have been barbecued but the pizza was lacking the trademark BBQ sauce. The Jalapenos added a bit of tang and the pizza's flavor was salty and savory as opposed to sweet and savory.

Fiesta pizza was quite a treat. A real meat feast.
The appearance looked really appetizing. Meaty, colorful, cheesy and a lovely aroma - what more does a pizza fanatic desire? It was loaded with bacon, salami and chicken. The thin base, the cheese and the different meats created a diverse flavor experience.

The flavor changed depending on the meat most prominent in my bite. Three different meats, three different flavors, one pizza. I am told that this pizza is hugely popular and may probably make it to their main menu.

Captain : Me tongue loves a meaty pizza, aye.

First Mate : Avast mate, this thin piece of paper sticking under the table looks like a part of some map. This could be our clue.

Captain :  Our map is complete lad. No missing bits from it. This piece of paper cannot be from our map.

The Red velvet cup cake may have not completely satisfied my voracious dessert appetite but it was still a delectable experience. The cupcake fashioned out of red velvet cake was generously topped with sweet cream cheese. It may not make the colorful art piece for insta shutterbugs but it was quite colorful to the tongue. The cream cheese was really amazing and it tasted like a creamy English Toffee.

The cake may however pale in comparison to the topping's sweetness. I sampled the cake separately after clearing my palate and it was satisfactory. A Red velvet lover would really enjoy this little treat.

Captain : No clue so far. Will dessert save us again?

First Mate :  I have been staring at this old map mate. Though the map appears complete, there is one patch that appears abnormally white. It is, as if a layer has been stripped off from here.

Captain  : Could that mean? Let me stick that thin piece of paper on this patch....There.

First Mate : It makes sense now. There seems to be something at this spot. 

Captain : Yes but what? This area appears to be in the middle of the sea.

First Mate : A Hidden Island perhaps.


The service was satisfactory but could feel a bit tardy. I had however gone at a time when the cafe was full so it could just be the rush hour blues for the serving staff.

The pricing feels cheap for the pizza portions served. These are a lot cheaper than my local pizza guy.

Based on this trip, I would say that CFI is quite a decent pizzeria. I am pretty sure that I will visit this place again to try their burgers too. That will be a story for another day I guess.

The Captain's Score : 8/10

"A journey into the unknown awaits us lads. But once we find that compass, we will be the strongest crew to ever sail the seas."

Map Co-Ordinates
Cafe Free India
NM Joshi Marg,
Opposite Deepak Cinema,
Lower Parel, Mumbai.


 -I was invited to the restaurant by its PR. My review however is objective.-

The Daily Bar and Kitchen - Bandra West, Mumbai

"The roaring winds filled up me ears as I studied a new map. Legend has it that the mysterious blue compass will always point to the best dishes in the world. This compass was largely believed to be an old sailor's tale, until today. A sunken ship dating back several centuries suddenly resurfaced in front of us. While exploring this wreck, we discovered many ancient maps. 

Among them was a map, which had a route to...the blue Compass. The map however was incomplete and merely pointed us to a place which will provide us with next clue to this legend. We docked our ship in the port of a large island. A beautiful tavern stood at the place marked on this map. The next clue to the Blue compass was hidden somewhere inside. "

I have passed the Daily bar on several occasions oft wondering what exists behind its perimeter walls. Well, I finally got an opportunity to go behind those mysterious walls. This tavern has a small indoor area and equal sized al-fresco area. As I am not a fan of humidity, pollution and sounds of the busy road - I chose to go inside.

The ambiance feels classy despite the monochromatic themes. The drapes on the ceiling altered the light coming down creating zones of low and high luminosity. The effect of the variable light and the B&W themes created an atmosphere which was both comfortable and strangely mesmerizing.

I was greeted by the Assistant Manager Rohit Hegde. I requested him to suggest me a good course for the evening. And a good course he did suggest.

The Gypsy queen was an elusive beauty that played with my tongue, mind and senses. This whiskey based cocktail mixed with clove and cinnamon was infused with smoke from burning apple wood. The result was a cocktail with strange sensations. I could smell the apple wood with every sip that I took. The clove and cinnamon added a cooling high to the whiskey. The Whiskeys kick, the coolants and the apple smoke created a medley of emotions within me. The Captain recommends this grog. This Gypsy Queen made a Tipsy King out of me.

Smoked Barbecue Chicken Filo was an absolute delight. These slow roasted Chicken pastries with BBQ spices and sauce were a sweet juicy affair. The thin filo pastries provided an excellent crunch without becoming an impediment to the chicken experience. These were incredibly light as well. I gobbled up these in record time. I would probably come back for these someday.

Captain : These are incredibly good, Mmm.

Crewmate : Do you think that the clue could be hidden inside these pastries? Just like fortune cookies?

Captain : Only one way to find that out mate.

Drunken Prawns were flambeed with Anisette, draped in a creamy sauce and served with bread. These were good ol' prawns for a prawn lover. But as far as the fancy sounding additions go, I could not perceive anything different about these prawns. Maybe the enhancements produced too subtle a flavor.

Pulled Pork sliders were little burgers with loads of pork. The slow cooked pulled pork was drenched with BBQ sauce. I personally adore Pork with BBQ sauce hence I enjoyed these sliders very much. Each bite caused meat, jus and Scamorza to leak out. I think that these were some of the most generously made sweet and juicy sliders that I have ever come across. Small burger outside, Big messy burger inside.

Captain : Tasty, mmmm. Juicy mmmm.

Crewmate : Uh Cappy, why are we not looking for the hidden clue?

Captain : Well lad, I can't hunt clues on an empty belly. Can I now?

Crewmate : Sigh.

Smoked Scamorza emmental stuffed chicken sounded longer than a Power Ranger's battle cry. This chicken blob was stuffed with bacon and cheese. Upon cutting it, I was met with a flood of cheese which was meant to please. The dish had an amazing aroma too. A mixture of cheese, chicken and bacon is quite divine. The dish was very satisfying and its surprising to come across such good mains in a bar. The Daily bar thus earns its "And Kitchen." part.

Panna Cotta. Though not very creamy, this was a decent panna cotta. It was well set and plated in an artistic manner. It resembled a white island surrounded by a sea of orange juice and rosemary. The tangy and fragrant liquid augmented the flavor and made the entire dessert experience a very pleasurable one. It marked a flavorful and an apt end to the whole experience.

Captain: This drawing on the Panna cotta looks like a tree on a hill.

Crewmate : What of it?

Captain : I have seen it somewhere. (Removes map from coat) Over here! A place with a tree on a hill.

Crewmate : Sweet Poseidon.

Captain : Indeed, we now have our next mark. Saved by the dessert.


The service is professional and the main barkeep himself serves you your grog. The servers will explain your dish to you in case if you are wondering what that fancy sounding thing on the menu really is.

The pricing is on the higher side as compared to many pubs but the food's quality is remarkably higher as well. I have been to several pubs and on comparison, The Daily positively offers superior grub.

Good grog and grub covered. There was just one question left to be answered. The Daily sounds like some kind of a newspaper. Why is this place named that way? The wall adjacent to me had newspaper clippings of local papers. These were full of positive news and contrary to what mainstream media and loud mouthed news anchors feed us with. I assume that these positive news snippets are linked to the name "The Daily".

The Captain's Score : 9/10

"Stock up the cellars lads. We have our next destination. Who knows what awaits us on our quest? We sail at dawn. The Blue compass awaits us."

Map Co-Ordinates
The Daily Bar and Kitchen
Linking Road,
Bandra West, Mumbai.

 -I was invited to the restaurant by its PR. My review however is objective.-