Bijoli Grill, Powai

Yes, I was overjoyed when I heard that Bijoli Grill had opened in Mumbai. Yes, I was overjoyed that it had opened in Powai. And yes, I went to Bijoli Grill salivating at the thought of Prawn Cutlets, Fish Fry and Kosha Mangsho. The food was good and was authentic Bengali cuisine. But, No, I will not recommend it unless one desperately wants to try out good Bengali cuisine in Mumbai and does not want to go to Andheri West. Bijoli Grill food, the little that I had tasted does not get you the quality or the variety served up at Oh! Calcutta. Nor is it the decent value for money fare that you sample at Calcutta Club. To me it seemed like Bijoli Grill was trying to cash in on the brand that it has built in Kolkata but it seems to me that erosion is all that will happen to the brand value unless they get their act right and that too very quickly.

I went to Bijoli Grill during the Puja's for a relatively light lunch due to the amount of snacks that had been devoured during a quintessential Pujo morning. Given the potency of Bengali food however we landed up sampling a bit of Prawn Cutlet, Shaada Bhaat and Kosha Mangsho. The Prawn Cutlet was good, it was prepared with the bit of the prawn tail sticking out; which to me is definitely the way to set the saliva racing. The taste was OK without being exceptional. The Kosha Mangsho was not too spicy but seemed to be in the middle without anything in the preparation to make it memorable, the mutton itself was soft and well cooked. The shaada bhaat was good as per standards at most high end restaurants. In case you are thinking why the review of the food is at a disconnect from what I said in the first part of the blog, it is because I really crave and love Bengali food. It is not that the food is not tasty. It is, but Bijoli Grill charges a premium and as a customer I would demand a value for that premium which I did not get. For this type of food, I would choose a Calcutta Club any day.

A meal for two at Bijoli Grill without drinks would cost you approximately Rs 1500/-

How to get there: Bijoli Grill is at Hakone, in Powai. It is situated right at the mouth of the entertainment park. In case you are unfamiliar with Powai, travel down the JVLR and enter the Hiranandani Gardens through the Pizza Hut entry. Hakone falls to your left before any turn can confuse you. Bijoli Grill is on the entrance slightly to the left.