Only Paratha, R-City Mall, Ghatkopar

Only Paratha is probably the second entry of a pure vegetarian restaurant in this blog, that fact complimented by my going there more than once and my intent to do so again as testament to the quality of the fare served up by the outlet. If you are vegetarian and even if you are not you must go there pretty soon and its my word that you will not be disappointed.

Only Paratha serves its Parathas with two servings of Daal, some onions and some Boondi Raita. This time luckily for me they gave me the option of taking some Rajma instead of the yellow daal. There is no guarantee that they will do this for you too, but go ahead and ask... If there is any milk at all to be had... it will go to the baby that cries! I am not very adventurous at ordering veg food and therefore stuck to a Aloo and Gobi Parathas. Only Paratha serves more than 50 varieties so all you veggies can really freak out. You will not be disappointed, more than the Parathas I think what they really do well is the combination they serve. The rajma and the kaali daal were both very very good. Must do when in the mood for some really good vegetarian Punjabi food.

A meal for two at Only Paratha will cost you approximately Rs 300/-

How to get there: Only Paratha is in the food court in R-City Mall

Don Giovanni, Juhu

The same upmarket hotel which has forced the relocation of Bistro Grill has also forced the relocation of Don Giovanni in Juhu. Though in this case, paradise has not been lost as the food remains as good as it ever was. I say that with a pinch of salt as their signature dish - the Risotto - a - la - Don Giovanni, an outstanding preparation of a cheese, and bacon risotto with a dash of vodka has lost the mind blowing quality that it had the first time. But I would attribute that to the high expectation that we place of the dish.
Don Giovanni has moved from opposite the JW Marriott hotel to the lane on which Prithvi theatre is located. It is on a semi complex on the left, you have to to drive in a bit before the valet parking gets into action. The interiors are quite large and seating 50 plus people comfortably does not seem to be an issue. We sat on a table near the bar, there are two other sections in the restaurant. The decor is apt, paintings adorn the walls and there is far more space than at the previous outlet. The only thing I missed was the Azzuri football shirt, present at the previous outlet which I could not locate here. Music, I presume Italian is played at just the right volume which provides a perfect ambience for a great lunch/ dinner. I have made several visits to Don G's in Mumbai but to my mind three dishes stand out.
1) The Risotto - a - la - Don Giovanni : When you put cheese, vodka, bacon and arborio rice in just the right combination you come up with this dish that causes me to salivate as I am writing this. The risotto is the best I have ever had, although they have increased the size of the bacon pieces which according to me does not taste as good as it used to the smaller pieces of crispy bacon.
2) Chicken Involtini - The Involtini is an outstanding starter of chicken stuffed with Mozzarella cheese. The cheese is folded into chicken breasts which are supported by a toothpick and then cooked. The cheese is just right and tastes brilliant when the dish is served. The only tricky part of the preparation is dealing with the tooth pick elegantly which is sometimes difficult to execute.
3) Lasagna - I tasted the chicken lasagna at Don Gs and it was exceptional. I can only imagine how good the beef lasagna must be. It is not too crisp as is the case in certain restaurants. It is just hard enough for the multiple layers of pasta, tomato, cheese and meat to stick together in perfect proportion
These are the top three dishes but it would be a great injustice to not talk about the Tiramisu and the coffee. Problem is that it would be difficult to fit both into the menu in the same meal. Both are outstanding, I urge you to go twice, or better still before the meal have a chat over some coffee and end with the Tiramisu. Only thing, you have to pre-book the Tiramisu as it runs out very quickly. So coffee for a pre meal conversation, Chicken Involtini for starters, if there are two of you order the Lasagna and the Risotto ala Don Giovanni, and end with the heavenly Tiramisu. You will fall in love with Italy right in the heart of Mumbai.
Good Italian food does not come cheap and a meal for two, with starters and dessert but without drinks at Don Giovanni will cost you Rs 2500/-
How to get there: Don Giovanni is in Juhu, at the signal between Juhu and Andheri, instead of proceeding on Juhu Tara Road toward JW Marriot. Turn right at the signal to go toward Prithvi, there will be a semi market complex on your left. Don Giovanni is one of the many restaurants/ shops. It is visible from the outside.

Shalimaar, Bandra

The name Shalimar is the name of one of the more famous Mumbai restaurants, not this outlet in Bandra but the more famous one in Mohammad Ali Road, with its highly renowned Raan Biriyani - a pleasure that I have yet to experience... but more on that if and when that treat befalls me. I have had the regular Biriyani there but it has not really set me salivating. Anyways more on that later.

Shalimar, on Linking Road Bandra, although having the same name does not proclaim to be part of the same chain. The rather guarded waiter when asked curtly replied that it was owned by a cousin of the more famous Muhammad Ali road outlet. I was there with a colleague of mine - a meat lover and we ordered two dishes I do not usually choose. First (and don't think I have gone mad) Chilli Garlic Prawns as starters, and the second Nalli Gosht. Both were rather surprising in their own ways.

Chilli Garlic Prawns - Although an incredibly strange order in a Muslim restaurant. The same is almost blasphemy (like ordering curd in a chinese joint), however for the second time running - I had also had the same at Persian Durbar, pretty good and the best value for money for the same dish in Mumbai. I have to write here that I have yet to bring myself to order the same as it is still just to blasphemous but if by chance you chance upon it - it will be one of the most value for money prawn items you have ever had.

Nalli Gosht - The dish was fantastic and is easliy one of the better regular mutton preparations, non - Kebab that I have had at restaurants. Not too spicy, and very very tasty. The dish went a long way to dispelling my abhorrence of ordering regular mutton curries at restaurants. Definitely a must have if you are yearning for a good mutton curry in and around Bandra.

A meal for two at Shalimar, Bandra will cost you approximatey Rs 250/-

How to get there: Shalimar is on Linking Road Bandra, very near the Shoppers Stop. It is on the opposite side of the road. If you are traveling from Khar to Bandra you have to cross Shoppers Stop. The restaurant falls on the other footpath of Linking Road on your right. It falls before Persian Durbar which is on your left.

Kebab Corner, Andheri East

After many a relocation in the Andheri area, Kebab Corner has relocated to a really nice location in a rather out of the way area. It is located on Mahakali Caves road, at one of the slightly sharp turns that are present on the winding stretch of road. The problem that compounds the location is that the frontage of the shop is half hidden by trees. This makes it so difficult to spot that you will take some time to figure out the location even if you know the exact spot. I will try to tackle that challenge in the "How to get there" section. If you do however you will find a great layout with an outdoor and an indoor option. We sat indoors but I liked the outdoor layout which can give a feeling of eating on a verandah with a large tree as a natural curtain overlooking the traffic.
The food was great and because we went in a largish group, we ended up sampling quite a few dishes. We tried the Amritsari Paneer, Pind-da-Chana, Chicken Reshmi Kebab, Chicken Kalimiri and Garlic Naan. The chicken dishes were good without being exceptional - tasty, value for money food, the Kalimiri was a decently mild version and avoids scalding sensitive tongues and lips. The paneer was sweet and tasty, could be a problem for those who do not like sweet food but not a problem for my palate. The Pind-da-Chana was almost as good as the name of the dish, the preparation was delicious without being accompanied by the excessive oil which usually accompanies Chana dishes in most standard restaurants. The highight of the meal according to me was a tasty, but slightly over the top garlic naan. I either have never ordered Garlic Naan or this was a rather special version, it sort of freaked me out. It was like at least 40 (and i am not exaggerating) pieces of chopped garlic on top of the Naan, not that it tasted bad, according to me garlic always does, but I happily reverted to plain Naan for the next round of order. I would actually order a piece next time from the sheer novelty of the experience but order a regular Naan also alongside.
A meal for 2 at Kebab Corner, Andheri East will cost you approximately Rs 250/-
How to get there: You have to drive down the Mahakali Caves road from Andheri Kural road towards JVLR. Kebab corner will fall on the right. It is right on a sharpish right turn, which serves as a mini round about with a tree bang on the middle of the road and tree on the right and the left as well. That should serve as the landmark. You could alternatively stop at all mini round abouts and ask people who are usually helpful in Mumbai.

Bistro Grill, Hiranandani, Powai - Paradise Lost

Bistro Grill was till a year back one of my favorite Mumbai restaurants. It was in Juhu where a fancy upmarket hotel now stands and it was no more than a shack. It was easily one of the most hard core food joints in Mumbai. No more than 7 or 8 plastic chairs in front of an oven where you could see that around 4 or 5 whole chickens being roasted. To me that presented a surreal sight. The chickens were tasty and the fact that you got the same on the road added to the taste-buds delight. One could order whole barbecued chickens for Rs 250 ans it was right up there with the more Value for Money non veg food options in Mumbai. At that point of time I also was not a Shawarma fan (which I am now big time), and they had a pretty decent Shawarma option as well.

Then one fine day we found the 4 seasons and we mourned the fact that Bistro Grill was no more. The mourning was over once we saw take aways ads in Powai. The Bistro was back with Shawarmas being ordered regularly, though the chickens were not being barbequed in full view, we were still happy.

Then the Bistro moved upmarket, we saw that they had moved from Powai and had opened a restaurant. I fell out of love with Bistro Grill, the day we had dinner there. No plastic chairs, No live oven, the Bistro Grill was a plush lounge. Quite frankly, I really do not care about the food which I guess is and would still be quite good. It would definitely be more comfortable, great for a romantic evening and I am sure they will do well with higher margins. Maybe those who have not visited the outlet in Juhu will rave and rant and salivate...but I wont. Not unless the same format as what was there in Juhu is back. Maybe a Bistro Cattle Class? I hope so but unlikely... You don't advertise in bus backs if you are opening a VFM format. Go there... As the Bus Back Ad says "Sheesh Taouk tastes like Shees Taouk" but I won't. I will continue to miss the food and yes, even the ambiance of the Juhu outlet.

A meal for two at the High End Bistro Grill will cost you Rs 450 without drinks.

How to get there: Bistro Grill is in Hiranandani Gardens Powai. If you are going towards D-Mart from Hirco. Take the right from the circle. Bistro Grill will be on your left.

Gajalee, MIDC

We Bengali's usually have an attitude to fish. Do not get me wrong. We love fish - but we usually turn up our noses at any preparation which is not Bengali. We are completely enamoured with European preparations, the grill, the Muniyar we are in love with but usually we feel that if it is Indian cooking we are talking about, no one cooks the fish as well as the Bengali. This is where Gajalee proves a point for Konkan cuisine with outstanding fried and Tandoor preparation of the Bangda and the Pomfret. However they have reached culinary nirvana with their version of the Bombvil or the Bombay Duck. If you can stand the smell of fish, you must... try the Bombvil fry at Gajalee and I will insist... Do squeeze some lemon on top before devouring the fry.
Gajalee also serves some great Crab Butter Garlic and Squid but I think the last visit was one of our most focused and hardcore. There were three of us and between us we polished off 4 plates of Bombvil Fry and 2 plates of Bharwa Bombvil (Bombvil stuffed with prawns). The Bharwa Bombvil is great on its own but I do not rate it as the sum of its parts separate servings of prawns ans Bombvil fry is far greater than the whole. Overall a fantastic option and I can declare that if I ever had time for one meal in Mumbai, I would go to Gajalee and order the Bombay Duck.
Gajalee can burn a hole in your wallet if you freak out on the large crabs and prawns which are priced as per catch. Standard meals involving Bombvil fry, Neer Dosa and Prawn Gassi/ Mutton Masala should cost two people without drinks approximately Rs 750/-
How to get there: Gajalee has multiple branches in Mumbai. Phoenix Mills would be easiest to reach, we last went to the one in Andheri East, MIDC. It falls on the lane to the right if you are on the MIDC road going from Chakala towards JVLR (look out for the sign on the right that is visible from the road).

Kobe Sizzlers

When I think of sizzlers, it invariably brings back memories of Calcutta's Peter Cat. When the dish was served it invariably meant that your table was the cynosure of all eyes in the restaurant. The hissing noise ensuring that all small talk at tables were temporarily suspended as the dish descended on your table. With the steak houses in Mumbai however, that bit of having a sizzler is extinct as everyone around you is having the same dish. The taste is however as good as it tasted in Peter Cat and the variety is a lot more, although you have to order the right one. Kobe's incidentally is in my opinion one of the best the city has to offer.

For the uninitiated, having a sizzler in Mumbai might be a harrowing experience. A fancy sounding order might have you floundering in the smoke to find your plate overloaded with rice, sauce and cheese. Yes... You do get these disasters and some people actually like them. Be sure to follow these Golden rules

1. Always ask what will be served along with the meat

2. In case they venture rice or noodles, always insist on replacing the same with french fries or mashed potatoes (they usually comply, if they refuse please ask them to leave out the rice in any case)

If you do the above, you will be served a pretty well made sizzler. The preparation is usually well done by default (i think they allow you to ask for rare/ medium rare but I have not really asked). I usually choose the satellite without cheese and sour cream as I am very fond of mushrooms. The shashlik, garlic and pepper sauce versions however are all very good. Last time we went we also sampled a steak bun. The steak bun is actually a mini burger (non sizzler) and is pretty tasty, I would recommend it if you fancy something light or want to share the same as a starter. I would also ask you to order the Ice Tea at Kobe's which goes very well with the sizzler.

Overall a good meal, with large quantities of meat. You will need effort to get back to work after this!

A meal for two at Kobe's without drinks, will cost you approximately Rs 650/-

How to get there: Kobe's is on Andheri Kurla Road, near the Saki Naka signal. It is on the right if you are travelling from the Western Express to Saki Naka.

City Kitchen, Colaba, Mumbai

I had first heard of City kitchen in an episode of the foodie (on Times Now) and the episode had focused on Mumbai food. City Kitchen was one of the first outlets highlighted and was said to be the place for the most authentic Goan cuisine in Mumbai.
Unfortunately closed on Sundays, and the fact that it is located in Ballard Estate makes a visit to City Kitchen require some planning but as I found out the planning is worth its while especially for lovers of Goan food.

The decor is very sparse, at the entrance is the counter where the owner sits and there are approximately 8 small tables each seating 4 people. The place is decently clean but has the feel of a low end restaurant and is not the place you would want to have a romantic dinner, fortunately however, they pass a bit of the save to the customer :P.

Now about the food. Undoubtedly the highlight has to be the Goan Pork suasages which are always good anyway. At City Kitchen they cook it exactly the way I like it, with the sweet, the spice and the vinegar combining well and most importantly, with a decent quantity of potatoes which i feel adds a lot to Goan sausages. The pork pieces are chunky and quite substantial. The dishes are served with Pao which is kept at the centre of the table. They did not seem to have or offer rice portions although to be fair we did not really ask.

We also had Pork Chilli fry which was great and the Prawns Chill Fry which was a big disappointment and smelled slightly. We rounded off the meal with the obvious order in a Goan restaurant, the Pork Vindaloo which did not disappoint and made up for the Prawns Chilll Fry. There has to be something to do with pigs and Goans, I really think the Goans, atleast within India understand how to best cook pork (atleast whatever little I have tasted)... Overall an excellent meal and I would rate this above Goa Portuguesa as THE place in Mumbai to sample some Vindaloo and Pork sausages and bring back memories of Baga beach and Brittos... Sigh!

A meal for two at City Kitchen will cost you around Rs 300/-, that is if you hog. If you eat right you can get a great meal for 2 for Rs 200/-

How to get there: City Kitchen is just before entering Ballard Estate. Take the left past CST and drive towards Ballard Estate. Take the right just after crossing the post office. City kitchen will be to your left quite a bit down the road after around 4 lanes. A tip - Chances are you will find it difficult to reach and need to ask people. Do not ask passersby, you will find it easier to ask a regular shopkeeper or a generous restaurant owner.

Nice Fast Food Corner, Santacruz West, Mumbai

Mumbai! The city never stops surprising (I am talking positive surprises here) you, and fortunately neither does its cuisine. I have to admit I have been a big critic of Mughali food options in Mumbai... The city unlike Delhi does not have outstanding Galouti kebab in all localities. Mumbai biriyani is not liked by my palate and the aroma is not as appetising as the ubiquitous Shiraz, Aminia, Zeeshan biriyanis all across Kolkata. Not often can one afford to sample the heavenly servings of Dumpukht at the ITC Grand Maratha and other 5 star restaurants of similar ilk.
However, as I have found out, the city DOES have its share of outstanding Mughlai food joints and Nice Fast food corner is just one of those joints. Nice is a shack - closed by day and open only in the evenings like the more famous Bade Miyan in Colaba. My theory is that it is a guarded secret of the hard core Mumbaikar foodie (like my friend Khusru) who only share the information with fellow club members.
The place does not reek of hygiene - it is a roadside shack. There is no seating. You can either have the food in your car or use the bonnet as a table. You can stand and hog or as I did, you can get the food home. I ordered Baida Paratha, Sheekh Kebabs, Mutton Tikka and Khiri. The Baida Paratha is the Mumbaiya Moghlai Paratha and was very good at Nice. A decent quantity of mutton and not too oily. The Sheekh was good, though I have never really been a Sheek fan... What blew me out of my mind was however the Mutton Tikka and the Khiri. The Mutton Tikka was as good a Tikka as I have ever tasted (no hyperbole). The Khiri, which I was tasting for the first time was soft and tender and absolutely delicious though obviously it is a dish not for the faint of heart for obvious reasons. I wish I could have sampled the Chicken Tangdi and other servings but that was all my appetite could permit. Overall I would put Nice right up there with Bade Miyan on the list of Mughlai non-veg options in Mumbai, it does not have the Bheja which will make ravenous trips to Colaba still worth my while but the Mutton Tikka is outstanding and that is something that Bade Miyan just does not have... Nice Fast Food Corner is definitely a jewel in Mumbai's culinary crown. Here is hoping that I manage to discover a lot more.
A meal for two at Nice will cost you either Rs 120 to Rs 160. Two plates of Baida Paratha and one plate of Mutton Tikka should make for a quick dinner. If you are hungry order two plates. Almost every item at Nice is priced at Rs 40.
How to get there: Nice fast food corner is open only in the evenings and is on S V Road. If you are driving from Parle to Bandra the shack will fall to your left. It is right beside Five- the more famous continental restaurant.

Mumbai Mirchi, Andheri East, Mumbai

How one of the most populated and booming office areas in Mumbai continues to lack really out standing lunch time eateries remains a mystery to me and unfortunately still remains so after my visit to Mumbai Mirchi.
Mumbai Mirchi is a Punjabi restaurant with meal and a-la-carte options. The meals selling for Rs 150 is quite a serving - a bit too much for our appetite given that we had to return to work and we chose the a-la-carte option. We ordered rotis and two dishes - the standard Chicken Tikka Masala and the Chicken Mumbai Mirchi. The Mumbai Mirchi is the signature dish of the restaurant and while it is not bad - it is quite possibly the least creative dish ever conceptualized by anyone. The dish is very simply half a plate of Saag Chicken and half a plate of a dry butter chicken served in one platter. The result is a half green and half red dish containing two different preparations of chicken and unless the same is a philosophical play on how Green Muslim and Saffron Hindu combine to give a unique taste of Mumbai (which is highly doubtful :P), I am sure you agree with my comment on the chefs creativity. However the dish does not taste bad at all because one cannot go too much wrong with Saag and Butter Chicken as well. So that was that - a decent office lunch for three people, we ordered naan to accompany the dishes. The price? Reasonable but not value for money.
A meal for two at Mumbai Mirchi would cost you Rs 300/-
How to get there: Mumbai Mirchi is located just off the Western Express highway. If you are travelling from Bandra to Goregaon. Do not get on the Andheri flyover. Take the 3rd right under the flyover towards Ghatkopar. Mumbai Mirchi is on your right 20 metres from the highway.