IMG_0288.JPG
Olive Bar and Kitchen
Rating **1/2
I have always maintained that unlike a film review, a restaurant review is always subject to change. Especially with two aspects. The first obviously being change in the chef. The second shift has a huge effect on your experience is a change in manager/ management. Olive, in the swanky union park neighborhood has seen a revolving door of chefs. And while that is the worst thing for a kitchen, it is better for the management to keep trying out new people than to serve up some soup below par. They may have ended their problems with the Prodigal son Chef Manu Chandra.
The salads itself set the meal in the right mode. Deliciously flavored, fresh and simple. The green apple carpaccio with baby spinach and feta is light and airy, the signature Caesar's salad is also well built and the wine cured grapes with aragula and goat cheese is bold. The seasoning is just right, the staff is polite and open to suggestion. While their pizzas are good and the Tomato Pesto Timbale is interesting and flavorful, the humble char grills are the most popular entrees at Olive. The Portuguese style chicken grill and the mixed seafood are both easy to order. With your coffee you will get delicious chocolate coated orange peel which is a must try.
People watching is always interesting. Young ladies having drinks, Bollywood celebrities enjoying a meal with friends, fashion designers, models and other members of Mumbai's swish set are here. Sit at the bar for a while and then move to a window table for two or the ones against the wall for more. Based on the last two meals the rating might have been higher, but a good kitchen proves itself. And the proof is in the pudding.
Olive Bar and Kitchen
Pali Hill Tourist Hotel, 14 union Park, Khar West, Mumbai 400052
Tel: +91-22-26058228/9
email: olive@2die4.com
Website: www.olivebarandkitchen.com
Rating **1/2
Pricing: $$$
Recommendations: char grills, wine cured grape salad, lasagna
Atmosphere: Contemporary, hip, lounge feel
Service: polite and attentive, receptive
Decibel: Music loud over weekend, drowning off conversation a bit
Price Range: Rs. 3000 for 2 people (not including drinks)
Hours: 12.30pm to 3pm and 7pm to 12.30am.
Make reservations
Child friendliness: at lunch time, in the evening, children are not welcome. It is a bar mostly.
Showing posts with label Mumbai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mumbai. Show all posts
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Reflections Bar @ JW Marriott
Reflections, JW Marriott
Rating: **1/2
Points for just being at the JW Marriott. The hotel with the revolving door to some of the most famous faces in Mumbai. In fact if I am not mistaken, a Bollywood character actor recently tweeted about his meeting there implying that the best thing about conducting meetings at the JW is that he bumps into several industry friends. The reason I go on about this, is quite simple, Reflections is the perfect people watching space. And an additional point for utterly efficient and polite waiting and managerial staff. Shah Rukh Khan could be on the next table and I will be handled with as much fuss, interest and dignity as the over achiever on the next table.
Reflections isn't the swishest space at the JW. That would paradoxically be the cafe - BBC. Reflections is quiet. You can have a private meeting, actually have a conversation, and just linger in the company you have. They have tables and sofa spaces and an excellent wine and whisky list. A glass of Veuve Cliquot is for Rs 900 and a glass of a good Reisling will set you back 600-700.
The only failing is it's proximity to the restrooms, but because people walk past these tables to for Spices and Mezzo Mezzo as well, waiting here is a feast for the people watchers.
Reflections, JW Marriott, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu, Mumbai 400049.
Telephone: +91-22 66933000
Rating **1/2
Recommendations: The bar snacks are satisfactory, but save your appetitie for Spices
Atmosphere: Contemporary, elegant and quiet
Service: efficient but not hovering over you
Decibel: Conversational
Price Range: Rs. 450-900 for a drink
Hours: 7pm to 12.30am.
No reservations really necessary.
Child friendliness: people under 21 are not permitted at bars in India.
Rating: **1/2
Points for just being at the JW Marriott. The hotel with the revolving door to some of the most famous faces in Mumbai. In fact if I am not mistaken, a Bollywood character actor recently tweeted about his meeting there implying that the best thing about conducting meetings at the JW is that he bumps into several industry friends. The reason I go on about this, is quite simple, Reflections is the perfect people watching space. And an additional point for utterly efficient and polite waiting and managerial staff. Shah Rukh Khan could be on the next table and I will be handled with as much fuss, interest and dignity as the over achiever on the next table.
Reflections isn't the swishest space at the JW. That would paradoxically be the cafe - BBC. Reflections is quiet. You can have a private meeting, actually have a conversation, and just linger in the company you have. They have tables and sofa spaces and an excellent wine and whisky list. A glass of Veuve Cliquot is for Rs 900 and a glass of a good Reisling will set you back 600-700.
The only failing is it's proximity to the restrooms, but because people walk past these tables to for Spices and Mezzo Mezzo as well, waiting here is a feast for the people watchers.
Reflections, JW Marriott, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu, Mumbai 400049.
Telephone: +91-22 66933000
Rating **1/2
Recommendations: The bar snacks are satisfactory, but save your appetitie for Spices
Atmosphere: Contemporary, elegant and quiet
Service: efficient but not hovering over you
Decibel: Conversational
Price Range: Rs. 450-900 for a drink
Hours: 7pm to 12.30am.
No reservations really necessary.
Child friendliness: people under 21 are not permitted at bars in India.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Pritam Da Dhaba, Dadar Mumbai
Pritam Da Dhaba
Rating *
It used to be quite the speciality restaurant, upto 15-20 years back. But now it has lost its edge. It continues to cater to a certain clientele, but the flavour of the food has gone South as has its sheen and experience. The Salted Lassi was so sour that we had to return it. They offered to make it with fresh curd - which leads to the question - why didn't they use fresh yoghurt to begin with?
The gravies had the same tomato base flavour and was altogether too rich for you to enjoy the food. My father-in-law, an experienced restaurateur of almost half a century, often says this about too much cream in the food, "It doesn't work for the customer, as they are more health conscious and it masks the inherent sharpness of flavour. It doesn't work for me as it is so heavy, no one orders more than one dish." Pritam Da Dhaba should take a page out of his book for the methi matar and the dal. Tasted ok, but richness personified!
The gulab jamun was hard and cold and that was just the icing on the cake gone bad! and the bar was hidden and poky and not inviting at all.
Pritab Da Dhaba */5
32 Dharmputra Pritam, East Dadar, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400014.
Rating *
It used to be quite the speciality restaurant, upto 15-20 years back. But now it has lost its edge. It continues to cater to a certain clientele, but the flavour of the food has gone South as has its sheen and experience. The Salted Lassi was so sour that we had to return it. They offered to make it with fresh curd - which leads to the question - why didn't they use fresh yoghurt to begin with?
The gravies had the same tomato base flavour and was altogether too rich for you to enjoy the food. My father-in-law, an experienced restaurateur of almost half a century, often says this about too much cream in the food, "It doesn't work for the customer, as they are more health conscious and it masks the inherent sharpness of flavour. It doesn't work for me as it is so heavy, no one orders more than one dish." Pritam Da Dhaba should take a page out of his book for the methi matar and the dal. Tasted ok, but richness personified!
The gulab jamun was hard and cold and that was just the icing on the cake gone bad! and the bar was hidden and poky and not inviting at all.
Pritab Da Dhaba */5
32 Dharmputra Pritam, East Dadar, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400014.
Recommendations: Dahi Wada, Dal
Atmosphere: Family restaurant, old school
Service: inefficient, lax, uninspired
Decibel: conversational with elevator music
Price Range: Rs. 800 for 2 people
Hours: 12.30pm to 3pm and 7pm to 12.30am.
Book a table for lunch and dinner, expect to wait. No reservations at the bar
Book a table for lunch and dinner, expect to wait. No reservations at the bar
Child friendliness: They are used to little foodies running around.
Banyan Tree, Fort, Mumbai
The Banyan Tree, Fort
Rating **1/2
It is a lovely feeling to drink coffee, surf on your iPad (yes I show off here) and know you are surrouned by lovely books, progressive art, and creative knick-knacks you can buy. The Banyan Tree at BMB Art Gallery is lovely. Nestled in a lovely lane surrounded by some of the city's oldest schools (Cathedral and John Conan Middle School and JB Petit for girls) the location is a dead ringer. The fresh fruit is inspired and piques your interest and the brownies and muffins make you feel right at home.
Its the entrees that surprise you. It has a satisfying menu that blends coffee house eats with the feel of a deli. The Spinach Burger was surprising - I don't normally like vegetarian burgers - The Thai Curry was not bad and the muffins are excellent. they also get their coffee bang on - which is most important in a coffee house.
The Banyan Tree Cafe **1/2
Gallery BMB, Fort, Mumbai 400001
Rating **1/2
It is a lovely feeling to drink coffee, surf on your iPad (yes I show off here) and know you are surrouned by lovely books, progressive art, and creative knick-knacks you can buy. The Banyan Tree at BMB Art Gallery is lovely. Nestled in a lovely lane surrounded by some of the city's oldest schools (Cathedral and John Conan Middle School and JB Petit for girls) the location is a dead ringer. The fresh fruit is inspired and piques your interest and the brownies and muffins make you feel right at home.
Its the entrees that surprise you. It has a satisfying menu that blends coffee house eats with the feel of a deli. The Spinach Burger was surprising - I don't normally like vegetarian burgers - The Thai Curry was not bad and the muffins are excellent. they also get their coffee bang on - which is most important in a coffee house.
The Banyan Tree Cafe **1/2
Gallery BMB, Fort, Mumbai 400001
Recommendations: Spinach burger, Coffee
Atmosphere: Arty, Contemporary
Service: Efficient
Decibel: Quiet, with random music from the '90s (?)
Price Range: Rs. 1,000 for 2 people
Hours: all day long
No reservations
No reservations
Child friendliness: It's more adult, but they would welcome young visitors.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Indigo, Colaba, Mumbai
The Chef's Kitchen
The 100 Word review is not easy. And to say I liked the first menu the most is unfair as its now tinged with the colour of wonderful memories. But booking a table will get you personalised menus. The staff is extraordinarily polite and not at all elitist. It is an upscale, expensive fine dining restaurant with the owner's heart firmly in his "pet project". I have seen Rahul Akerkar on busy nights come out of the kitchen and help clear up.
New, hip bars that have opened up in the area after Indigo made Colaba the chicest dining district. And they have only served to improve the experience at Indogo. The press of people has dropped to a steady stream of the city's swish set. The music is definitely lounge and conversation is a pleasure.
The decor is interesting with colour blocking and culinary art works, but doesn't take away nor does it pretend of add to the dining experience. The food is King, country and content.
Indigo: ****/5
Malviya Road, Colaba, Mumbai
The 100 Word review is not easy. And to say I liked the first menu the most is unfair as its now tinged with the colour of wonderful memories. But booking a table will get you personalised menus. The staff is extraordinarily polite and not at all elitist. It is an upscale, expensive fine dining restaurant with the owner's heart firmly in his "pet project". I have seen Rahul Akerkar on busy nights come out of the kitchen and help clear up.
New, hip bars that have opened up in the area after Indigo made Colaba the chicest dining district. And they have only served to improve the experience at Indogo. The press of people has dropped to a steady stream of the city's swish set. The music is definitely lounge and conversation is a pleasure.
The decor is interesting with colour blocking and culinary art works, but doesn't take away nor does it pretend of add to the dining experience. The food is King, country and content.
Indigo: ****/5
Malviya Road, Colaba, Mumbai
Recommendations: Blackened Chicken and Lobster Risotto
Atmosphere: Hip, Corporate
Service: Efficient, quiet, but not invible
Decibel:lounge, allowing for coversation
Price Range: Rs. 2,000 for 2 people
Hours: 12.30pm to 3pm and 7pm to 12.30am.
Book a table for dinner, no reservations at the bar
Book a table for dinner, no reservations at the bar
Child friendliness: Children not permitted except on Sunday.
Zenzi, Bandra West, Mumbai
Rating: **/5
The Zany Wateringhole
The outer edge of Bandra’s yuppie culture, Zenzi is the watering hole for people looking to getaway from the swish and the serious. Production crew, models, artists, photographers and media own the long bar on the outside and the tall tables that line the verandah. Boheme is an unspoken given here and the music, while occasionally loud, especially when the band is new is over zealous, can often be loud enough for you to talk over and buzzing enough to get into the groove thang!
The Bar snacks menu is limited but the have the New York style China Box which is quite popular. Rumor has that it was created by friends who would stay till late and grab some noodles and gravy in the wee hours. They have a mushroom starter that deserves some mention but for the life of me I cannot recall what it is. And the amnesia is itself a testimony to the bar.
But to be honest, the barkeep and his crew are not dazzling in their display nor is the bar limitless. But the sultry outside complete with amateur photographic art for sale on the walls draws you in for a casual drink. Its easy to see this bar become your regular watering hole. Somehow the inside bar and dining experience feels like a whole different place and experience. And what passes for busy and buzzing outside seems like no elbow room on the inside. The food passes muster but isn’t anything to write home about but Zenzi has a clean-ish restroom that make an evening of beer-guzzling bearable.
Somehow the drinks that are served best here are the ones that come out of a bottle – entirely. The wine is chilled, the beer is iced and the whiskey should be on the rocks. The Bloody Mary lacks punch and the Caipiroska is too muddled and the waiting staff can be too familiar.
Still as you leave, with you head buzzing pleasantly, you know you will come back. For a beer, an evening of debauchery or for the New York-style China Box.
Zenzi **/5
RK Patkar Marg, Khar West, Mumbai 400050. Tel: 022 6643 0670
Recommendations: China Box and Beer.
Atmosphere: Relaxed, creative
Service: Prompt but over friendly
Decibel: Moderately loud music, louder conversations
Price Range: Rs. 1,000 for 2 people
Hours: 12.30pm to 3pm and 7pm to 12.30am.
Book a table for dinner, no reservations at the bar
Book a table for dinner, no reservations at the bar
Child friendliness: Children not permitted in the evening.
Places in the neighbourhood:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)