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.-

Chai Pe Charcha - Prabhadevi, Mumbai.

After a day long trek in the ascending passages, we finally made it to the surface. We were tired as we had been up all night walking. I was worried that firsty may get the wrong message and leave without us but he was waiting for us. Turned out that Firsty had found from the townsfolk that there was a passage that connected the strange undersea city with the island above. As the sea was normal again, we set out to sail. On to the next mark. One can only wonder what more surprises will the sea of shipwrecks throw at us?

Chai Pe Charcha is a simple concept but quite a popular one. After the roaring success of the brand's Lower Parel outlet, CPC comes to my neighborhood in Prabhadevi. Its located in a connecting lane between two main roads and is thus not very easy to find for a person not living in this area. It is bang opposite the Prabhadevi Mandir. If you are into the Pokemon craze, then it is right opposite a Pokestop. However, don’t let its unpopular location fool you. This little café is as popular as its Lower Parel sibling. Who knows, it may even be more popular.

The Café felt like a mix of a small highway restaurant and a modern bistro. There were artifacts that signify Mumbai like the popular Auto Rickshaw shaped table or the Mumbai Metro cut out on the ceiling. The baked bricked appearance on the other side with a book shelf added to the mix of themes. 

There is simplicity, there is sophistication and there is ultimately comfort. The tables resemble those found in neighborhood tea stalls. If that wasn’t enough, there was even a yellow colored street food "Thela" or cart. The place makes an ideal hangout for friends. The cafe is more than just talk, it also provides fun board games like Ludo or chess which people can play while talking. The café is crowded at most times of the day.

Since the place is tea themed, I started out with one of their special beverages.

The Hajmola Chai was a milk free and sugarless tea that was tangy and lemony. It was made out of lemon, Rock salt and other ingredients which are often used to make the digestive candy Hajmola. Not only was this tea comforting on the tongue, it was also good for digestion. Of all the health based teas that I know, this was by far the most tasteful.  Of course this isn’t the only tea on their menu, there are many other unique beverages waiting to be tried.

Captain : I'd like my tea on the deck. 

Crewmate : You should get some sleep Cappy. Firsty can take care of things.

Captain : Firsty was up all night too looking for us. He can take care of things later. I will manage the helm now. 

Gulkand Bun Maska for 45 INR was a steal of a treat. It made regular bun maska look like a thing of the past. This soft bun was generously coated with Gulkand (a sweet preserve made of Rose petals) and had butter in the centre. It combined sweet, pleasant and savory. It also went really well with my Hajmola tea. I would greatly recommend this to the reader. 

Firangi Khakra was a delectable fusion of Masala Khakra(Savory Mat bean Crackers) and Nacho's Cheese sauce. My only question was, why was this not done before anywhere else? It was such a brilliant fusion. The Khakra pieces went really went with the sauce and it was a salty, savory and cheesy sensation. I ended up licking my fingers clean after this. 

This was served on a plate made out of a leaf and there was sweet and spicy chutney as well. I would however recommend the Khrakra to be eaten with the cheese and only use the chutneys if the sauce is exhausted.

Again for just INR 72, this was an amazing treat.

The Good ol' Vada Pav tasted very much like a High School canteen Vada Pav. It was the kind that I have grown up with. No nonsense, no theatrics, no secret ingredient - Just plain good vada pav as its meant to be.

Lookout : (Rings the warning bell) Mist ahoy.

Captain : Barnacles. There could rocks hidden in the mists. This is the sea of ship wrecks after all.

Firsty :(Yawn) Sleep will have to wait mate. We need all hands on deck.

The cafe employs differently abled staff members who have been trained well despite their limitations. The service is decent at this cafe.

As mentioned earlier, one of the best things about CPC is their pocket friendly pricing. One could easily have a satisfying meal for under INR 150. It doesn't get any better than this.

Chai Pe Charcha is an idea that is already rolling on the highway like a juggernaut. It is likely that within a few years time, these cafes will pop up in all densely populated neighborhoods. But for now, I feel privileged to have one of these near my home.

The Captain's Score : 9/10

"

Navigator : The winds are too strong, we cannot turn and we cannot drop anchor. We will have to go through this mist.

Captain : Aye, fold in the sails and lower the speed as much as possible. If the winds are strong, the mists should not stay here too long. We need to stall some time.

First mate : The visibility is going down by the second. This mist is dense.

Captain : All hands alert. We don't know whats out there.  Ready on the arms.

Gunner : Aye Aye Captain.
"

Map Co-Ordinates
Chai Pe Charcha
Prabha Vinayak Building,
Near Prabhadevi Mata Mandir,
Prabhadevi, Mumbai


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

 

The Playlist Pizzeria - Bandra Reclamation, Mumbai.

We stared at a secret chamber inside the secret passage that was supposed to lead us back to the surface. I switched me flashlight on and saw a large pool of water inside the chamber with a shrine like structure in the middle. Nina mewed innocently and looked at me as if beckoning me to go and explore. Cats do have a sixth sense about such things but what could possibly the secret structure be hiding? This place isn't even on the map for the blue compass. Nina better not be sending me after exotic cave fish.

What's the worst peeve one has when one goes into a restaurant to grab some comfort grub? Its the weird music pervading your ears. And worst still is the inability to change that for the better. Some restaurants have Jukeboxes but its kind of a buzzkill to leave your meal midway to go adjust the Jukebox. And that is where Playlist pizzeria comes up with its unique seller. Sit on your table, download a jukebox app and add your choice of music to a queue which will play when its turn comes. Sounds cool doesn't it?

Playlist pizzeria is a small cafe like restaurant located at a corner in the quiet inner lanes of Bandra reclamation. Its quite close to places like Desi Deli or Salt Water Cafe if one needs landmarks. The ambiance feels very typical of a modern bistro cum pizzeria. Being in a residential neighborhood, I am pretty sure the bulk of their business comes from home deliveries but I can see the place getting crowded in the evening as a community hangout spot. Its the kind of place that makes an ideal lured Pokestop (Pokemon Go folks will get this). The ambient temperature feels a bit warm but still cozy.

This was positively the best Garlic Cheese bread that I have had, ever. The portion size was generous, being a large flatbread. This was loaded with cheese and had a beautiful blend of savory flavors . To be honest, this felt as awesome as a pizza itself. I absolutely recommend the reader to try this.

Half and Half Pizza. I love pizzerias that offer the option of combining two pizzas into one, I really do. In the picture is the Rapture Pepperoni pizza(Top right) and the Echo chicken pizza. I have no idea why these are named so but these were both delectable pizzas. The rapture combined aesthetics with the rusty meaty flavor of pork pepperoni. The Echo on the other hand is a traditional meat lover's pizza. It was loaded with cheese, chicken, chicken sausage and salami. Its the pizza you order for your pizza night or for the big game.

Captain : This water must be like thousands of years old. Hope I don't catch ancient bacteria.

Quartermaster : Quit yer yapping, we all have to wade through this pool. At least, it ain't deep. 

Engineer : Hmm, I don't think the water is that old. It tastes very fresh. Like off a glacier ya know.

The gooey chocolate cake in a polystyrene cup was disappointing in both visuals and flavor. I was a bit too full to try their renowned cookie pizza but its the dessert to go for at Playlist pizzeria. Don't settle for anything else.

Captain : This be strange. This golden orb is the only artifact inside this shrine. And it seems that sea water falls on it and gets converted into fresh water. 

Engineer : That's a treasure Captain. It solves an age old problem of getting potable water from sea water.

Captain : Yeah but I don't think these magic orbs are that common.

Quartermaster : Just take it. I don't think the townsfolk get their fresh water from here anyway. No one is gonna miss this ball. It will be immensely useful in our voyages.

The service was normal. Won't praise it or pan it.

The pricing was variable. A majority of their pizzas are of far higher quality than the likes of big chain pizzerias like Dominoes/pizza hut and cost lesser making them easy winners. There is a higher end of pizzas too like the Rapture and echo but these pizzas are of gourmet grade. Their pricing is similar to what one would expect at other gourmet pizzerias like CPK or Pizza Express. Though I do believe that their prices can be shaved off by 20%.

Playlist pizzeria is an interesting concept. It is still in infancy I believe and I would like to see it grow and reach other neighborhoods. This is definitely a place that I would like to visit again.

The Captain's Score : 8/10

"
Captain : Good girl Nina, you led us to a treasure.


Nina : Nya :3

Captain : Though I am curious about how you knew this.

Engineer : Save that story for later Captain, lets get back to the main passage and get out of here.
 "

Map Co-Ordinates
Playlist Pizzeria
St. Baptist Road, Near Mt. Mary Steps,
Reclamation, Bandra West
Mumbai


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

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.-


 

Yauatcha - Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai.

This strange town was divided into four parts by the massive water canals formed by the falling seawater from above. The place usually traded in undersea products. I then spotted Nina running towards a local restaurant. Good girl. I was quite hungry too.

Yauatcha is a Michelin starred dim sum teahouse in London. The brand also operates in Indian metros though we seem to be a few years away from the Michelin star system. That doesn't stop Yauatcha from being one of the best Chinese restaurants in India and probably the finest for steamed dumplings.

Yauatcha is celebrating the annual Dragon boat festival till the 31st of June, 2016. I was invited by the restaurant's PR to sample the event menu which included six Zongzi dumplings, a cocktail and a dessert. All of these items are exclusive to this event only. So hey, it was too attractive an event to not go to.

Yauatcha like its sister concern Hakkasan uses modern Asian themes and elegant decor to provide a comforting environment. The crowd is much more refined as well and one can truly enjoy a good meal in peace. There are no pretentious Asian motifs and there is an air of elegance in the place. The place looks rather beautiful especially at night with the dim golden lighting. It somehow imparts a feeling of being in a resort restaurant rather than a place in the middle of maximum city.

The Menu for the event.

Citrus spritz was a well presented drink with a fizzy and citric flavor. This was a mix made of Belvedere Vodka, dry Vermouth, Chandon brut and lime. It was highly potent but its potency was not immediately felt. Its effects felt stronger as time passed and this was a proper celebration cocktail.

Next up were the Zongzi dumplings. These are conical shaped dumplings that originated from Northern China. The dumplings are usually wrapped with bamboo leaves and a variety of other leaves.

Yauatcha used Lotus leaves. Different leaves endow different flavors and aromas on the dumplings. The dumplings had a bit of meat inside glutinous or sticky rice. Wrapping Zongzi is a skill that is usually passed down in Chinese families. One can only imagine the training the chefs had to undergo before presenting Zongzi to their patrons.

Though the dumplings had a northern shape but the fillings were savory which is more common in the southern parts of China. So one can say that in essence the dumplings represented all of China.

Wrapped Zongzi - A perfect cone. All the dumplings essentially look the same so the only way to distinguish different flavors was the colored threads. This dumpling contains pork and its represented by the radiant red string.

Opened Dumpling - The rice was sticky and savory. It sealed the freshness and the aromas of the dumpling inside.

I managed to sample five of the six dumplings available on the menu.

Edamame and Vegetarian duck dumpling. This contained faux duck meat made from soya which felt very close to the real thing. Yauatcha is well known for their vegetarian meats. The fine edamame complemented the faux meat well. It had a savory flavor with undertones of garden vegetables.

Chicken Dumpling - The classical chicken filling in a Zongzi shell was a new experience. I can say that sticky rice works better than batter cased dumplings. The flavor of the sticky rice and the chicken concert well together.

Chicken and Prawn dumpling felt slightly disappointing as compared to the rest of the platter. The flavor felt a little weak for seafood but I suppose the primary problem with this dumpling were lower portions of meats as opposed to the rice.

Pork Belly and Shiitake Mushroom was the best of the five that I tasted. It had succulent savory pork belly with a moderate amount of minced shiitake. The flavor was dominated by the pork. The flavor would really excite those who love savory food. I took seconds and thirds for this.

Captain : Nina, would you like some pork ?

Nina : Nya :3

Captain : Atta girl.

Quartermaster : You never share food with us mate. 

Pine nuts and Lamb had a very flavorful filling. The lamb would just melt in the mouth, though this too had an issue with ratios between rice and the meat filling.

Despite being made of rice, I think the dumplings felt light. One could easily have a full platter of six by themselves ha.

The meal ended with Wine soaked water chestnut and Mango cake. This was another one of Yauatcha's sweet masterpieces. It was served with a quenelle of frozen Sauvignon sorbet. The dessert had a unique flavor. The core of the cake was made of mousse like chocolate and mango bits whilst the exterior was made of a water chestnut flavored creamy shell. The sorbet and the cake came together to create an amazing alchemy. The dessert had a pleasant aroma and a great flavor. Shame it isn't available throughout the year.

Captain : Grog flavored dessert? I like this.

Quartermaster : So you can get high while you are high.

Engineer : That sounds like a meme. 

Captain : What is a meme?


Yauatcha had excellent service. The servers were professional, spoke good English and put up nice pleasant faces. They also accommodated the bloggers who were constantly moving food from one place to another.

The pricing seems to be well suited for the deal. It is slightly on the higher side but one cannot find this food beyond 31st June in India. The chefs were specially trained and many of the the ingredients had to be flown in.

This was my first trip to Yauatcha and I really enjoyed the rare Asian niche that they cater too. I think all elements fell in place and the restaurant is a worthy mark for all food lovers. I would certainly like to sample the grub they offer in their future events as well.

 The Captain's Score : 8/10

" 
Our meal done, we decided to further explore the place. With night falling in, the city's lighting system looked incredibly surreal. It was like a scene from a dream or a colorful comic. Who knew that such a place existed?
"

Map Co-Ordinates
Yauatcha,
Raheja Towers,
Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai


-I was invited to be a part of the event by the Restaurant's PR. My review however remains objective.-


 

Gaylord - Churchgate, Mumbai.

The deep chasm in the sea could hide an entire world below. How can one not go down and explore things? It was very risky of course. If the crack were to close above us, we will be trapped in there. Much against the crew's wishes, a few of us decided to go down there. Firsty decided to stay up and assume command if we were to get stuck down there. 

Nina decided to come along as well. Nina has been lucky for us so far. With a rope, we descended down the colossal waterfall that went deep into the chasm. Another surprise awaited us down here.

Gaylord is an iconic restaurant that has stood near the sea at Churchgate since 1956. The world around it has changed but yet it still stands there, popular as ever. Men and women have eaten here followed by their children and their children's children. The restaurant has seen struggling artists who later became big producers and directors. It has seen luminaries and much more. I have myself been to Gaylord a few times in the past and the place continues to awe me.

The only thing that has changed in all these decades has been the decor and the menu. But yet the restaurant retains its old world charm. Gaylord which is derived from French Gaillard means high spirited and boisterous. That is true in some sense since the restaurant does instill its patrons with high spirits.

The restaurant decor feels like a mix of Royal Indian and Victorian. It has inspired many restaurants who have unsuccessfully tried to emulate its interiors. The restaurant has both an indoor dining and an al fresco exterior. The exterior area though can be a bit harsh in the summers. One can host their wedding party here, a corporate dinner or just have a fun time with old friends. The place seems to suit all occasions. I was here as part of a blogger's table to witness the launch of a new Menu by the restaurant's executive chef, Zaheer. Do note that Gaylord has a very large and diverse menu, what I sampled was but a small part of the menu.

Bartenders Special Cocktail. The summers are chaotic and one could always use a pacifying drink. I started with this drink which was a customized cocktail made of gin and vodka. It had a strong kick and citric notes. It resembled the mojito a lot and could have done with lesser leaves but it had a great flavor and a potent kick.

Kulhar ki Tangdi were chicken drumsticks served in faux mini earthen pots. This was a neat way of presenting Tangdi kebabs, I assume we will see copycat versions in other restaurants soon. The flavor of tandoori barbecue was strong in these and the taste was very rustic. Combined with the minty chutney at the bottom of the pot and soaked onions, these provided a great kebab experience.

Chaamp Taajdar are classical North Indian Mutton ribs. Gaylord's version was marinated in a mix made of yoghurt and Indian spices. Those flavors could be felt in every bite. There was plenty of meat on the ribs which came right off the bone. The smoky flavor combined with the smoothness from the yoghurt and the explosion of spices made the Taajdar a treat for the tongue.

Captain : What is this? A town at the bottom of the pit in the middle of the sea?

Quartermaster : I am as amazed as you are. 

Captain : How the hell do they even live in here? Doesn't this place go underwater when the chasm closes?

Townsman(eavesdrops) : You fellows seem to have descended down for the first time. Look above you.

Dahi Cheese Rolls were vegetarian kebabs which oozed a cheesy curdy flavor. These kebabs were a mix of savory and tangy. It was something that was bound to leave one smacking their lips. These also had a pleasant aroma and were well presented.

Kulfi Ke Kebab used an atypical spice mix which may not please the palates of some. I am aware of this flavor as I have had it before. The chutney and pickle mixture was made of onion and strong spices and these flavors were very sharp. This is not to say that this flavor is bad but I am one of those who is not particularly fond of it.


Captain : The sky is made of...Geode?

Townsman : That's right, the entire town is inside a gigantic geode. When the chasm above closes, the geode's two halves seal tight blocking the water out completely.

Captain : How do you get air?

Townsman : We get enough for a month when the chasm opens up.

Lasooni Fish Tikka was made of Surmai or King Mackerel. There is something truly magical about sea fish being cooked with Indian spices. These barbecued fish kebabs had a garlicky spicy flavor down to the very core of the morsel and these were seasoned with coriander and other spices on the crispy crust. One of the highlights of the appetizers section, I would recommend these to the reader.

Prawn and Bell Pepper Salad was made of fresh prawns, salad dressings, eggs, olives and a lot of mayonnaise. The salad was really tasty but I suppose the excess Mayo takes away the healthy element. The salad makes a nice accompaniment to the mains.

The Cooker ka Kukkad had a very homemade flavor but unlike its name which sounded Punjabi, the flavor felt closer to chicken made in homes in Uttar Pradesh. The flavor was rustic and comforting. Nothing fancy other than its plating method. It was served in a little red cooker.

Captain : I do not get it, where does the ocean's water go to then? Should the town not flood when the Geode opens up. 

Townsman : It takes the outward currents back to the ocean. The sea water constantly leaves as it enters and hence does not flood. At most portions of our town are hidden by curtains of gigantic waterfalls.

Captain : This is beyond comprehension.

Engineer : I agree but lets leave that for a novel length book.

Mutton Dum Biryani was made using the traditional Awadhi style. The flavor was packed and enhanced by the use of a roti seal on top of the pot. The meat was tender and succulent. The rice was aromatic and delectable. This was the kind of Biryani one serves to impress their guests. Tough deal? Serve the client Dum Biryani. Opposition parties disagreeing on a bill? Serve them Dum Biryani. Girlfriend playing hard to get? Serve her Dum Biryani.

Hanky Shanky Korma chicken. Its queer naming aside, this tasted much like the delectable Chicken Amritsari Tariwala made in most North Indian homes. It had a soul pleasing tomato based curry with a delectable and strong aroma. Like most home cooked dishes, it evoked a feeling of simplicity and peace. Best enjoyed with Butter Naan or the humble Chapati.

Khumani Ka Meetha (Apricot's sweetness) is also known as Qubani Ka meetha in Hyderabad. This was a variant of the famed Hyderabadi dessert. It was made of moderately aged and dried apricots, other dry fruits and a treasure trove of sweet spices. Sugar, Spice and everything nice may not give the Powerpuff girls but would surely give a good Khumani ka Meetha. A nice all-Indian dessert for the summers, this makes a tongue pleasing end to a lavish meal.

The service was very professional and the older servers seemed to have the experience of time to their side. Chef Zaheer himself visited the table to take feedback on the dishes. I also met Mr. AN Malhotra, the 87 year old CEO of the restaurant who is said to visit the restaurant every day.

The pricing seems apt for the quality and the restaurant's location. It may feel on the higher side but the food and the experience is guaranteed to be worth the moolah.

This isn't my first trip and would certainly not be my last trip to Gaylord. I would hope to continue visiting it in the future till if I have sampled everything from the menu. If one is in Mumbai and loves good food then Gaylord is definitely one of the places that one must visit.

 The Captain's Score : 9/10

" 
Captain : We should leave before the Geode closes up. Its probably due to some weird seismic activity or sea magic.

Townsman : Don't worry. Even if the ceiling closes, we have a network of cave passages that lead us to the surface island. We actively trade with the people above.

Captain : That explains a lot of things. Hey where did Nina go?
"

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


-I was invited to be a part of the event by the Restaurant's PR. My review however remains objective.-