Komala's, Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel

I have been searching for a really good Dosa outlet in Mumbai for quite some time and with my meal at Komala's at Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, that search has officially ended. I have had meals at Madras Cafe, the dosa is very good but is on the smaller side. The dosa at Madras Cafe is also on the home made side in its feel which while I am sure is healthy is not as crunchy as the dosa you get at say Sarvana Bhavan in Chennai. Moreover, Madras Cafe is more about Bisibele Bhaat, Butter Podi Idli and Curd rice than it is about Ghee, Paper and Masala Dosa.

Komala's has a typical South Indian feel to the restaurant decor. The seating is identical rows that can possible seat 6 people each, clean but without any unnecessary decor. The focus clearly is on the food. The typical serving atleast in design seemed to be to take the food from the counter and eat, however as there were not too many customers when we went, we were served at our tables. The waiters were also neatly uniformed in Orange and Black outfits and were very eager to please.

At Komala's we ordered Mango Lassi, two Dosas - One Ghee Dosa, One was a Pesarattu or Moong Daal dosa, a serving of Rasam and two filter coffees. The filter coffees were OK, disappointing as I thought that they would be served in the typical South Indian style with two cups, one fat and one thin to mix it well. Instead the filter coffee was served in a plastic cup and did not taste as great as what you get in Malgudi's. The Pesarattu was not as good as the version at Madras Cafe and seemed to have an excess of chillies and onions on the inside. What made my day however was the Rasam and the Ghee Dosa. The Rasam was very tasty with a strong tamarind flavour that lingered on the tongue long after the Rasam was had. The Ghee Dosa was without doubt the finest, crunchy Dosa that I have had in Mumbai. It was well cooked, lots of ghee and went fantastically well with the chutney that was served along with it. Sooper! In true Chennai style and the dish will not be out of place at a Sarvanna Bhavan in Mylapore. That very statement should be enough to make you want to go there. Do go for a great meal of Dosas! You will not be disappointed!

A meal for two at Komala's without drinks will cost you approximately Rs 300/-

How to get there: Komala's is in Phoenix Mills in Lower Parel. The restaurant is on the Ground Floor. You have to cross the Landmark in Phoenix Mills and the entry to the Palladium Mall. Go straight down the road and turn right. You should be able to see Komala's welcoming you on your left.

TGI Friday's, Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel

TGI Fridays is one of the worlds most famous and iconic restaurant chains. Brand America is what it promises to deliver and it succeeds in every aspect. Good music, great music and decently good if slightly expensive food. The decor is unmistakable American, open bar, seating all the way around the bar and in small 4 seater tables, the look and feel exactly the same regardless of which branch of the chain you enter. Sometimes I wonder how they manage to achieve the level of consistency at all American restaurants.
TGI Fridays offers great starters and we were not disappointed with the order of Jalapeno poppers and Nachos with Spicy Chicken that we order. I am particularly a fan of Nachos and this preparation with a cover of minced chicken covered in cheese were very nice and were served in pretty decent quantity as well. The Jalapeno poppers were also very tasty though not nearly enough from the quantity perspective.
For main course we ordered Mexican food, the restaurant has apparently won the Times food guide award for the best Tex Mex restaurant and we decided to sample the fare. I ordered the Chicken Chimichangas. The first thing I noticed about the dish was the size of the preparation - It was enough to feed two people. The dish was really served on a very hot plate - so hot that the waiter could barely hold the dish for a long enough time to place it on the table. The chicken was wrapped in tortilla and soaked in cooked cheese, it tasted quite awesome with the tomato flavored sauce the chicken was cooked in combining delightfully with the melted cheese. There was also a bed of rice covered in some Guacamole sauce, sour cream and diced tomato. Very tasty but far too large for one person to finish. I drowned the meal in an interesting offer of unlimited regular Cold drinks for Rs 130/- which is a standard offer at the restaurant. Slightly expensive when you consider the offer standalone but decent comparing the prices at the restaurant.
Overall great food but at expensive prices. Once more typically American!
A meal for two at TGI Fridays without drinks will cost you approximately Rs 1300/-
How to get there: TGI Fridays is on the 2nd floor at Palladium Mall, Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel

Maroosh, Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel

I fell in love with Shawarma after i went to Greece. The Greeks call their version the Souvlaki but I suspect that the same has its root in Turkey and the Arabian heartland. As much as the taste I think what gets you going is the feel at the restaurants. Chunks of meat, in India - unfortunately only chicken, being skewered and roasted in an open oven.
The Shawarma for the uninitiated is pieces of cooked chicken slow roasted in an oven, rolled in Pita bread along with some fries and various sauces merging brilliantly with each other and with the chicken. At Maroosh, which is basically a walk-side shack at Phoenix Mills, the Shawarma is served with some salad that is salted and soaked in venegar, mint sauce and some white sour cream. I personally feel that the sour cream goes very well with the Chicken Shawarma and I would strongly advise you to be generous with your dips. Be advised you may need to overcome etiquette demons as Maroosh is an open walk-side cafe without organised seating!
I strongly advise you to stick to Shawarmas at Maroosh though you may need two if you are going for lunch or dinner. I had also tried the Chicken Bhuna and rotis there which were also good without being really exceptional.
A meal for two at Maroosh would cost you approximately Rs 450/-
How to get there: Maroosh is on the ground floor at Phoenix Mills.