The summer of 2016 saw the opening of the long-awaited Anncensored Café. Having been a trending topic on various social media platforms, the launch of the café marked its entry as one of the big players in Kamala Mills. Weekday or not, the eatery is buzzing, either with neighbouring office folk or regular out-goers. Reservation is a must! However, you happen to go sans a reservation and get bummed-out, I will be compelled to say as Sheldon Cooper says, ‘I informed you thusly!’ 

The café boasts swanky interiors and seating areas. The booths are quite a charm and absolutely picture-worthy. The swings seat a smaller bunch of people, but seem to have the greatest demand. A large communal table and a couple of other tables sum up the entire seating area. The lower level houses a large bar counter, the dance floor and a Private Dining Area. The entire crew is super friendly. The Anncensored menu has quite an interesting twist to it - the censored and uncensored menu. Prior to its launch, we were quite curious to know what this meant (sounds like something nasty maybe) A gimmick, unique to Anncensored helps you go about and understand the censored-uncensored bit of it. But basically, the censored menu comprises of a continental fare, while the uncensored uses the same elements and gives it an Indian flare to it. I won’t say what the gimmick is but what I will say is…don’t take the glasses home (what on earth is this person saying, right? Well, you’ll figure it out once you’re there too)

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The name Jiggs Kalra is synonymous to an elite culinary experience in the hospitality dynasty of India. Through works of art like Masala Library and MasalaBar, a legacy has been created. Zorawar Kalra, successor of the Kalra empire, carries on this legacy with Farzi Café, one of the city’s most talked about ‘newly-opened’. Contemporary Indian Cuisine in its finest form. Farzi is enveloped in the large compound of Kamala Mills, a restaurant hub by itself. Once in, an all-stone, dimly lit ambience engulfs you and illusionary lighting takes over (special mention to the light show above the bar). The restaurant is fairly large and experiences a transformation post 7pm (I vow to not be a spoiler). The service is truly impeccable, executed by slick-dressed managers and stewards with thorough knowledge of the menu and its content. Every beverage recommendation by the witty Shahbaz, our server for the evening, was spot on. Under the care of head chef, Kunal, our meal was a smooth voyage. All preferences and allergies were noted, and our meal was crafted accordingly. He frequented our table to make certain that all was okay. Generally, before visiting a restaurant, I do a little background research of my own. Prior to my visit, I had a slammed week. Having only heard praises about the place, I was almost a clean slate, ready to be amazed.

Getting down to the real deal, the point of emphasis, the highlight…the food! Everything was created with the finest of ingredients, utmost care, precision and skill. All meals commence with an amuse bouche of deceiving Mishti Doi spheres. Personally, big fan of mishti doi and I must say that it was amusing (pun intended) to see it in its #Farzified form. 

Amuse Bouche - Mishti Doi Spheres

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My first encounter with this subtly sweet, cottony delicacy took place while I was vacationing in Thailand. A famished me, waiting for the inter-city bus from beautiful Pattaya to bustling Bangkok wandered around the food stalls at the bus stand. I was intrigued by these freshly steamed pork buns. I wasn't aware at the time what they were called. The Bao was the size of my PALM - soft, with a measly, but tasty filling.

Bao, or traditionally known as Baozi are of Chinese origin. Legend has it that it was invented by Chinese scholar and military strategist, Zhuge Liang. Mankind owes this man one! In China, baos are available in two sizes. The bigger ones make for a great take-away snack and the smaller ones are what we find in restaurants. Various forms of the bao have been adopted all over South-East Asia. 

Closer home, The Fatty Bao, Mumbai is hosting the 'Bao Wow Festival'. The menu flaunts thirteen varieties of baos, with the quirkiest stuffings and two Ballantine-esque cocktails. The restaurant portrays a very fun, creative, Kung Fu Panda inspired ambience. The place can get full in a jiffy and hence, making a reservation is highly recommended. Save yourself a bummer. The service staff is always happy to provide recommendations if you find yourself spoilt for choice. You'd be surprised to see how fast your grub arrives.

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This post has been long overdue. My apologies for not having shared this phenomenal culinary experience earlier that is really really not easy to put into words, in the literal sense (yes, be prepared for terms like Karamandi Vadai, Semgada Varuval, Kari Melagu Kozhambu, Adai Pradhmam) and simply because it was so amazing!!

If you're a South-Indian, there's is an almost complete chance that you have heard this from someone who is not, 'Duuuuuude! I just love South-Indian food!' And you just say, 'Great!'. But you, the South-Indian is actually thinking, 'This person doesn't know one percent of  the food of the South! Damn it! I don't know ten percent of it!!'

The Indian food culture as everyone knows is diverse! Among the diversity that exists within the South Indian food culture itself is the food of Chettinad! This cuisine of the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu originated from a trading community. A generous use of dominantly flavored and aromatic spices, namely black stone flower, aniseed and black peppercorn, makes it India's most spiciest and aromatic cuisine. Recipes are close guarded secrets  (just like the East Indian Bottle Masala) and are passed on from one generation to the next.

The milieu and food at Dakshin Coastal were in harmony with each other. You enter to a beautiful, traditional flower rangoli (called a pookalam I think, if the little South Indian in me remembers) and classical instrumental music envelops you in South Indian vibes. Great efforts have been made at the restaurant in terms of setting the ambience, including the traditionally attired servers. Chef Kasi, head chef of Dakshin and Chef Sundar, all the way from ITC Grand Chola, Chennai (with a pocketful of Chettinad spices) was assurance to us that we were in for an authentic Chettinad spread. And right we were!

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In my earlier posts, I have laid emphasis on my love for Eggs Benedict and it being my favorite breakfast item. So, one such craving for the lovely egg preparation got me looking for a restaurant with All Day Breakfast (because it was around 11), thus, Smoke House Deli, Lower Parel! This was the only SHD outlet that I had not visited. The ambiance of all their outlets are unique! Passing by very often, I've always wanted to see what story the hand-sketched walls of this outlet had to tell. From where I was sitting, I didn't see anything related to Phoenix Mills, but a lot of sketches of vintage cars and trains, arty butterflies on them. I absolutely love the 'all white' antique showpieces too.

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*Bing* Phone Notification - You have a new email. *Opens it* It's a Zomato Meetup! *Bing* Joy wave through my brain. It may seem like I am overly excited about Zomato Meetups. As a matter of fact, I am! Why?? Because, Zomato Meetups are interactive, informative (not in a bookish way) and a whole lot of fun! Every meetup is a new experience. This was my second and it was held at Boveda!

It's a well spaced out place and I can say well thought out, because you know, people would like to move around when they karaoke! Boveda is known for the eventful nightlife that it offers and I can see how the place can get crowded on weekends. Great cocktails, I mentioned the space, and the food was great too!

This meetup revolved around mixology and the tweaks and tricks you can do to make a great and unique cocktail!! We actually got to get behind the bar and make some out-of-the-ordinary ones. 

There were four of these cocktails on our menu: The Watermelon Burst, The Smoke Screen, The Cheesecake Martini and last, but definitely not the least, The BVD!

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Le Pain Quotidien! The Belgian Bakery has been in my top 5 places to eat for a while. Very recently, it made it to the very top. Yes, lpq is officially my favorite place to eat!! My lpq journey began with an urge to try 'Eggs Benedict' (which is my favorite breakfast item, followed by Danish Pastry). It continued with random pre or post work meals (BKC), BBQ Nights (Powai), the Summer Menu Tasting (BKC), and my latest - dinner at the Colaba outlet.

The ambience of the Colaba outlet is stunning, all wood interiors, a high ceiling, a beautiful chandelier, the communal table, and a wall clock above the dessert counter that really caught my attention. Even the entrance to the restaurant looks really really nice.

We started the good evening with a Tomato Basil Soup. It was the soup of the day, and the flavours of the two ingredients always appeals to me. 

Tomato Basil - Soup of the Day

One of my most cherished tartines at lpq is the Chicken and Pesto Tartine. That little dollop of ricotta cheese and slice of pear adds a nice kick to the dish. We also ordered a Chicken Cobb Salad to share. It had bacon and Danish Blue, and also some Green Tea Dessing! 

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A while ago, I was invited to a Zomato Meetup at Noodle Play. This took place at The Hive, Khar. It was an evening of ‘Wok and Talk’. There was some wok tossing action along with the talk by, and with the founders of Noodle Play, and also talk with other food bloggers and restaurant reviewers. As I entered, I got a name tag (I like the idea because there were so many people) and a goodie bag that had chopsticks with my sun sign on it (Taurus), three of Noodle Plays signature sauces (which was put into great use), my dining kit (explained later), and the menu for the evening.

Noodle Play is a take away joint that is like none other. Founded by Hitesh Bhatia and Ishmeet Chandiok, their aim, through Noodle Play is to bring the restaurant dining experience to your home or work place. Personally, I love this idea because it makes even eating alone a little more interesting. And this is how they do it: a table mat with activities on it to entertain you when you are munching, disposable cutlery and Chinese food take away box so you don’t have to trouble yourself with any washing, and mint and tamarind sweets to end your meal. If you’re a fan of selfies, you will definitely like the tissue. You wear it like a bib and well actually…order to find out. And do you know what is better than free food, having gotten free food when you actually expected to pay for it. Yes, Noodle Play has a 29 minute or free policy! 

Ishmeet Chandiok, one of the two founders of Noodle Play giving us Wok gyaan

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Ray's is a cozy little café, tucked away in between C'est la vie and Mamagoto. Now that there is Mamagoto and it's flashy name board, Ray's is much easier to locate than it used to be. The café is very pretty and would serve as a nice eatery for a nice quiet meal.

Prosciutto e Rucola

Though the place is compact, there is ample seating, more outdoor than inside. The Currywurst Sausages have become more or less a staple dish when I visit Ray's.

Sausage Currywurst

The Ray's Special Pizza is one of the best pepperoni pizzas I've had till date.

Ray's Special - Pepperoni Pizza

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Zomato sent me a small envelope of happiness earlier. It consisted of a complimentary meal for two at any of the Global Culture restaurants, an INR 1500 voucher for Blue Frog and a free cup of yogurt at 6th Street. So, thank you Zomato!

Anyway, when I finally decided to avail my complimentary lunch we had a tough time deciding between 80 days and Pan Pan. The other two options were, The Malts and Masala Table.

I was quite shocked to see that all the outlets were in the same building. A very ambitious and interesting venture by the owner. The restaurant (80 days) was relatively empty. And by relatively empty, I mean empty. The ambience is nice, flags on the seats, the lamps, quite spacious and top to bottom windows which allows ample natural light and a nice view of the small garden outside.

Just Outside

We sat down and asked how the meal was to be...a set menu or a particular number of courses. What we heard was the real deal and i actually had to reconfirm. We could order anything! Well, almost everything, the New Zealand lamb rack, salmon and other expensive dishes were off the offer. I would feel bad to order them for free anyway!

Enough blabber, getting down to the food. I wasn't feeling like soup too much, but the server mentioned that they are famous for good soups. So, I went with it...Cream of Chicken. I wasn't disappointed! Creamy, yet light and full of flavour! 

Cream of Chicken

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Le Pain Quotidien, or lpq, as is better known and also easy to say is a Belgian bakery with a couple of outlets in Bombay. Yes, it is Belgian and you must've probably thought it was French. Common mistake!
Anyways, like every successful eatery must change and add items to their menu, lpq did too and called for a menu tasting and we were invited. Yay!!

The tasting dinner was set for the 3rd of May. We entered and saw that the communal table was set beautifully, and the the restaurant lighting complimenting it well! 'The Home Label' had done a great job setting up.

The great setup by 'The Home Label'

The communal table at lpq

Whilst waiting over the other guests of the evening, a glass of white wine and a conversation with the General Manager of lpq's operations, Nikoulina Berg and a member of Team lpq, Neil Ghogale kept me occupied. It was really exciting to know that Maria Goretti was going to be a part of the evening. 

Anyway, the expected guests arrived, we took our seats at the communal table and the appetizers arrived. First, there was a platter of Minced Lamb Skewers, Tandoori  Prawns, Oatmeal Chicken and Tunisian Chicken Bites. Tender skewers of lamb, delicious prawns and the oatmeal chicken cutlets (which would be a great breakfast item, or a snack even) was a great start to great meal to come. The Kale Roasted Asparagus Salad did well, and the raspberry balsamic dressing was quite unique. Of the two tartines, Grilled Asparagus and Chicken and Pesto Tartine, I really loved the latter. Pesto and chicken, always a great combination but the ricotta cheese over it, got it a big thumbs up! The bruschetta platter comprised of Mushroom and Cheese, Tomato and Red Bean, Chilli Cheese and Berry. They were great, especially the Chilli Cheese and Berry. I almost felt like I was eating a cheesecake. I am a cheesecake person, so extra brownie points for it. 

Chicken and Pesto Tartine

Oatmeal Chicken

This was already a lot of grub and then, it was time for mains!

I opted for the Kasundi Basa and the Coq au Vin. I am quite certain that I made a great choice! I was a little sad to know that it was probably going to replace the Pan Seared Basa that was already on the menu. I really liked it. Nevertheless, the dish was great. The Coq au Vin is a classical French stew, very flavorful and as the name suggests, consisted of wine. There is definitely no drinking and operating heavy machinery after this dish.

Kasundi Basa

Coq au Vin

Riana went for the Smoked Potato and Leek Roesti and the Freshwater Tilapia. 

Smoked Potato and Leek Roesti

Freshwater Tilapia

And finally, it was time for dessert!! The Sweet Ricotta Creme came first. This was mind blowing! I was surprised to see it topped with a slice of gulab jamun but it actually complimented the dessert really well. It was really light and the sweet ricotta was yumm! The next best thing of the four desserts was the Sugarfree Lemon Cheesecake! This is exactly how a lemon cheesecake should be! The zesty bitterness takes you to a whole new heaven! The Lemon Mouse Slice and Blueberry and White Chocolate was really nice but this is the order of my liking of the desserts.

Sweet Ricotta Creme

This was the end of a great meal and a group photograpgh before leaving ended a great evening.

Kudos to everyone at #LPQatBKC for hosting a great and well planned and thought out menu tasting. It was a great experience! I'm looking forward to many more visits to Le Pain Quotidien.

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