How do you like your pizza? Deep-dish or super thin? How about your breakfast? Would you be terribly opposed to the idea of sushi that is slightly experimental? Presenting five interesting restaurants in Mumbai that cater to all kinds of palates - from the conservatives to the flexible. Take a look:
1. TwentySeven Pizza & Bakes, Mahalakshmi
The New York-style pizza might get a lot of flak from purists but once you get hooked, you get hooked, and TwentySeven Pizza & Bakes in Bandra plans to give you a taste of it. Aditya and Aditi Dugar (of Masque fame) deserve credit for this delightful spot which, in their own words, is all about 'no bullsh*t baking'. From the pizza section there's the classic cheese or the lamb meatball and vodkha sauce, or the evergreen pepperoni or even a pesto. Yum, huh? The outlet also features the classic TwentySeven hits such as the Vada Pav Danish, Korean Cream Cheese Kouign Amann and their whole range of delicious breads. Yup, it's time to stop counting calories for one day.
Meal for two: INR 600 (approx.)
2. VietNom, Khar West
Founded by restaurateur Sahil Sambhi, VietNom is a result of a lot of tasting and research, and the Mumbai outlet is the brand’s fifth in India. The menu, which has been devised by chefs Phankri Bey and Bhim B Tamang balances the fine art of having enough meat and vegetarian dishes on the menu with each as good as the next, by and large. There’s the Avocado Summer Roll, the Vietnamese Crispy Lotus Stem Salad and Dau Phu Banh Mi and of course the famous Pho. The whole range of dim sums are a must-try – from the pork jiaozi to the mushroom bahn bao. Don’t forget a side of the soup to wash down the various rolls and dim sums.
Meal for two: INR 2,000 (approx.)
3. Flurys, Gateway of India
Kolkata’s famous patisserie, where endless hours are washed down by copious cups of tea and occasionally some food, is now sharing its love with Mumbai. Along with the brilliant view, you get all sorts of deliciousness be it in the ham-filled croissants, Viennese coffee, and their pastries, not to mention a proper English breakfast that the café is known for (they even have a vegan version here) and pasta, just to name a few. The Mumbai menu keeps the younger generations in mind, offering granola bowls, burgers and macarons too.
Meal for two: INR 1,800 (approx.)
4. TAT, Vikhroli
This is not ‘tit for tat’ but more the ‘tat’ that means coast in Hindi or rather ‘shore’. An upscale and modernised rendition of Indian coastal food, TAT is the brainchild of Sumit Govind Sharma. The restaurant covers Maharashtra, Kerala, and even West Bengal, including a smattering of Sri Lankan delicacies as well. The menu has been put together by chef Sudhir Pai and features dishes such as the quintessential Sol Kadi, Matar Karanji, Seppanikizangu fry, Paneer 65 (yes, this is on the menu too), and puran poli etc. And they have a delightful bar menu to go with all the food. Try Kosta, it’s got bourbon, mango syrup, campari, roasted cumin, and chili – quite ideal for the rains, isn’t it?
Meal for two: INR 2,000 (approx.)
5. BaaMee, Andheri
From sandwiches and croissants - they have a pretty good bakery menu - to burgers and a wide range of teas - the menu moves into salads and soups that cover Europe and Asia quite well. Their range of dumplings feature popular favourites but with the BaaMee touch. If you want something more desi, try their kebabs or just move to the mains that feature interesting blends of Indian and international cuisines. For instance, we dare you to try the Uttapam Lasagne with Jackfruit Ratatouille. And then there's the curious sushi menu, Teriyaki Paneer Uramaki Roll, anyone?
Meal for two: INR 2,000 (approx.)
(Know of a new bar/restaurant/cafe in your city? Write to us at anannya.chatterjee@zee.com and vc.priyadarshini.n@zee.com)