The Big Bhookad

Koh by Ian Kittichai, Intercontinental, Marine Drive, Mumbai

2012-02-22T04:58:00.026-08:00

Sawatdii krup!
Bpen yàang rai bâang?

I am fine too and I don't understand Thai either.
No, I am not reviewing a Thai massage parlour, so need to get so excited.

Why? Because I went to one recently and unfortunately it had a board outside which said: Self Service. True story.

You want to read another joke? What? Are you sure?
Okay, Phuket, some other time maybe.

I discovered my newest favourite restaurant in Mumbai and thought of reviewing their new menu for all you guys.

PRESENTING Koh by Ian Kittichai at the Intercontinental Marine Drive.

You may stop clapping, whistling and stripping in happiness now.

This beautiful fine dining restaurant serves exclusive Thai and Southeast Asian culinary (conceptualized by the mastermind chef - Ian Kittichai) along with plush interiors, warm service and dreamlike presentations of dishes. The chef's knowledge of food can be justified by his ownership of many restaurants around the globe.

He has drawn up a new seasonal menu which includes extraordinary dishes like Crispy Rock Shrimps, Sliced Promfret with Plum Ginger, Crunchy Lotus Stems, Steamed Peach Pudding and more!

We were welcomed with a complimentary drink made of fresh orange juice, pineapple juice and lemon grass. It was probably the most refreshing welcome drink I've ever had. After guzzling that down hungrily, we ordered a few appetizers along with a sinful cocktail each. I highly recommend their distinctive margaritas and martinis, so don't forget to ask your waiter to introduce the bartender to you, who will suggest his best creations happily.

Here's what we tried.

Spicy Crab Soup

The Alaskan lump crab in the soup was complimented beautifully by flavours of roasted garlic, sawtooth coriander and Asian smoked chilli, making the soup aromatic and refreshingly delicious. Vegetarians can try their Mushroom "Faux Pho" soup, made from three different types of mushrooms - enoki, honshimeji and straw mushrooms.

Crunchy Lotus Stem
If you're Sindhi too, you would have hidden in your room and refused to come out whenever your mother made "bea ki subji" (lotus stem/roots) for lunch or dinner. Now, you're nodding playfully after making a slightly disgusting face which was caused by remembering how awful that tasted.

Surprisingly, this dish was so delicious that I requested the chef to get us another round because one portion was just not enough. We wanted more! The finely sliced lotus stems were light, crusty and crunchy indeed. The tangy sauce and cherry tomatoes accompanying the dish added great flavour to it too. Vegetarians and Jains, don't forget to try this!

Baby Spinach Bricks
The presentation of this dish did justice to its name. Apart from looking delicious, these carefully wrapped spinach bricks were quite delicious, thanks to the sesame-soy dressing that came along with it.

Special Crispy Rock Shrimps Koh Style

[Warning: If you love prawns, you might get tempted to marry this dish while having it] Our waiter strongly recommended this dish and I am glad that he did because I couldn't keep my fork down after having the first bite! The shrimps were crunchy outside and juicy inside. The soy-tamarind dressing and Thai eggplants added great zest to this wok-tossed-dish. Although, the egg-white used for garnishing was too salty; so ask them to avoid that or be careful with the usage of salt while you order this phenomenal dish.

Hot Stone Roasted Garlic Rice
Frankly, I was disappointed after trying this dish because I expected more than just "garlic flavoured" rice. The roasted chilli bell peppers couldn't add enough flavour to save the dish either.

Thai Green Curry (Chicken)
This is not a new entrant in their new menu but after hearing so many good things about their Thai Green Curry, we decided to try it. The meat was cooked perfectly and the ratio of coconut milk to spice was perfect too. Water chestnuts added fun with its crunchy and juicy texture. The portion size was big enough to feed 3 or 4 people and I recommend having it with plain, lemon grass flavoured steamed rice.

Flourless Valrhona Chocolate Cake

Topped with chocolate drizzle, the flourless cake looked gooey and heavy but surprisingly was extremely light and velvety. The Thai coffee ice cream which came along with this dish was equally remarkable, if not more.

Smoked Coconut Cheesecake

Please, oh please, don't leave without trying this absolutely extraordinary dessert! The flavour of toasted coconuts and beer-foam will explode in your mouth while you swirl your tongue around the creamy cheesecake and its crusty base. If you are married and go to Koh with your wife/husband, order two of these because sharing it might cause divorce or even murder.

Rate Card

What's Garma-Garam?

Their cocktails, appetizers and of course their sinful desserts!

What's Thanda?

Almost nothing actually; except the price of the ridiculously ordinary hot stone roasted garlic rice.

Andar Ki Baat:

Chefs at Koh also serve an array of extraordinary vegetarian and even Jain dishes, unlike authentic cuisine from Thailand, where there's nothing like pure vegetarian food because almost everything is smacked with fish sauce!

Dakaar Level:
4.5/5

(Probably the highest rating given to any restaurant in Mumbai by me)

Along with plush interiors and expensive cutlery, this fine dining restaurant, unlike most others in the city, offers food which is authentic and as delicious as it looks.

Go visit my newest favourite restaurant in Mumbai!

Happy hogging! :)

Cafe Mangii, Off Linking Road, Khar West, Mumbai [Review]

2011-12-05T04:54:00.000-08:00

Ola! Long time no see!

What? You’re upset that I disappeared again?
Slap me. SLAP ME NOW!
Why? Because y’know, slapping is in trend these days.

So how are you?
Well, I am fine, my face hurts; that’s all, thank you.

Anyway, I visited one of my favourite restaurants in Mumbai again a few weeks ago and thought of sharing a review with all you guys. Café Mangii is a popular Italian restaurant tucked away in one of out of 2143124421 lanes connecting Bandra and Khar. If you want to know where it is exactly located, Google it!

Okaysorrypleasedontslapmeagain!

Here’s the entire address, with landmarks nearby AND their phone number: Shop No. 3/4, Mangal Bhavan Society, Junction of Khar-Pali, 14th Road, Off Linking Road, Khar West, Near Sancho’s/Tasty Tangles/Domino’s Pizza, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400052.
Phone: 022 6161 9425

To start, I called for a pint of Peroni and she called for Turning Point (Red Wine) along with a soup (Cream of Exotic Mushrooms), Caesar Salad and a few starters to follow later.

Here’s what I thought about the food.

Soup – Cream of Exotic Mushrooms
[Porcini, black trumpets and chanterelles, sprinkled with morel dust]

Firstly, I think the presentation of the soup could have been better. The soup looked like baby-vomit and smelled strangely earthy too. I hope that was not because the mushrooms weren’t cleaned properly. The flavour of mushrooms was strangely derisory; that odd unknown pungency was probably overpowering it.

Caesar Salad
[Garden fresh crispy iceberg lettuce, veggies and pesto croutons in classic Caesar dressing with choice of smoked chicken or Norwegian Salmon]

Fortunately, this salad was good enough to make us forget about the soup we ordered. Not just good enough, great actually. The iceberg lettuces were fresh, crispy and carefully selected. The chicken was tender, juicy and well-seasoned. The pesto croutons also added great value to the salad with its crunchiness and usage of Parmesan cheese was perfectly adequate; not too less not too generous either. Two thumbs up for this one!

Stuffed Mushrooms
[Roasted and served with homemade barbeque sauce]

We might have liked this dish if it wasn’t burnt. It looked promising; the presentation was decent but the mushrooms were overcooked and unfortunately even the homemade barbeque sauce couldn’t compensate for the loss.

Basil & Pine Nuts in Classic Cheese Fondue

This is was easily the best dish of that night. Heck, I think this was probably the best fondue I have tried in Mumbai. The bread pieces were diced proportionately, tossed in butter, herbs and a little garlic to achieve that nice, crispy outer crust followed by buttery and soft texture inside at each bite. We considered to order another portion of fondue but settled with a second serving of those yummy semi-croutons. Yes, it was THAT good!

Prawns
[Pan seared in their very own special butter garlic sauce]

I had great expectations from this dish because the menu stated these prawns were pan seared in ‘our special butter garlic sauce’ and indeed, it was special. The juicy, crusty, equally sized prawns blended with the creamy sauce marvelously. Kudos to the chef for this one!

Herbed Chicken
[Grilled and served with homemade aioli]

It’s difficult to retain the juiciness of herbed grilled chicken and that is exactly what went wrong here. It was served appealingly on skewers, the herbs failed to add wholesome flavours and the meat was extremely dry and chewy.

Watermelon Martini & Snake Bite

While we binged on so much food like there’s no tomorrow, the bartender was kind enough to offer unique drinks which were not on the menu. So we tried the Watermelon Martini & Snake Bite.

The Martini was made of fresh watermelon pieces and mint leaves… absolutely refreshing! Whereas, Snake Bite was something unusual. Vodka mixed with several fruit juices, topped with ice, red wine and garnished with thin apple slices. That was not the best cocktail she’s had but was quite pleased with it

Pizza
[Regina - Ham, fresh Mushrooms, Artichokes and Rucola]

We didn’t want to leave without trying the pizzas at Mangii as they flaunt their pride about serving authentic Napolitana thin-crust pizzas, cooked in a traditional brick oven and fried with mango and rubber wood to add natural aromas. Unfortunately, I wasn’t half as pleased as I expected to be after trying the Pizza Regina. The mushrooms were dry, the ham was chewy and the base was partially burnt, probably because it was a little too thin. Nevertheless, I would like to try another pizza there next time.

Whisky Sour
To begin, the presentation of this cocktail was very nice. I personally think that Whisky Sour is rightfully a popular cocktail around the world. The primary task involved in making this drink is striking the right combination of alcohol, sweetness and sourness. After all, Whisky “Sour” cannot possibly be predominantly sweet. The one served to us at Mangii was spot on! Bravo, Mr. Bartender!

Risotto Champagne
[Asparagus, Porcini Mushroom, flambéed with champagne]
Ironically, this risotto reeked exactly like the Cream of Exotic Mushrooms Soup (mentioned above) and lacked flavour. It was overcooked, tasteless, gooey and way below the required standard. Hey chef, are you listening?

Now coming to your favourite part...
DESSERTS.

Seasonal Fresh Fruit Cheesecake
Not the best I’ve had but nicely done nevertheless. The cheesecake was rich, creamy, the base was crusty and the fruity flavours added to its deliciousness!

Caramel Banana Pie (eggless) with Vanilla Ice Cream

When it arrived, I could not differentiate it much from being just another pie but a spoonful later I knew I was wrong. This was special; somewhat unforgettable. The layer of whipped cream between the crusty base, banana pulp and rich vanilla ice cream could win a national award for the best supporting role this year. You *must* try this whenever you go to Café Mangii, okay? Good.

To conclude, I’d like to say that Café Mangii not only flaunts a warm ambience with dim bulbs, brick walls, antique wood décor and chandeliers… but serves great Italian food too! The courteous staff is always happy to suggest wines (they have a huge wine collection; check their menu) that go well with whatever you've ordered.

Rate Card:

What's Garma-Garam?
Starters, desserts and of course their fondue!

What's Thanda?
The mains served here need improvement. I had tried the Stuffed Chicken and Minute Steak a few months ago too; didn’t like those too much either.

Kuch Hatke:
Along with an array of international wines, naughty cocktails and beers, Café Mangii also serves refreshing Irish coffee, Cappuccino, Columbian coffee and other Deli items like sandwiches and burgers.

Andar Ki Baat:
Did you know Café Mangii has now transformed into an all-day dining restaurant? So walk in or order for home delivery whenever you want to! Also, I have heard they serve nice pancakes too.

Dakaar Level:
3.25/5

Happy hogging! :)

Thank Goodness it’s Friday! (TGIF) Corporate Lunch Menu [Infinity Mall, Andheri West]

2011-08-17T07:09:00.000-07:00

*suddenly appears in front of you, wearing clothes loose enough to replace curtains in your house or King Kong’s chaddi*

*flops hood on the head and starts singing loudly…*

“Guess who’s back, back again, Big Bhookad’s back, on your, err, plate!”

< This is where you have to imagine me doing unbelievably awesome, never-seen-before break dance ending in a jump, landing face first on your plate which preferably has multiple layers of fried meat with cheese on it >

Yeah, I know, I missed you too.

So, all the 14 people out there wondering where I had disappeared suddenly, I need to tell you something. No, I am not gay.

I was not involved in the Adarsh Society scam either.

It’s worse.

I am a warewolf.

OKAYFINE! I just got busy working hard enough to pay for all those gallons of beer and tons of meat I consume every month. Thus, I couldn’t find enough time to write a review out here!

Yeah, yeah... You can call me a corporate whore, future president, as busy as Rakhi Sawant’s make up artist and all that. I don’t give a rat’s… NO! PLEASE DON’T HATE ME! I promise to never leave you guys again and do your laundry everyday!

Please give me another chance? PLEASE?
Thanks.

Anyway, most of you might already know this.
TGI Fridays, located inside Infinity Mall (2^nd Floor, New Link Road, Andheri West) is a popular American fast food chain which is popular for serving an extensive menu of gastronomic delicacies like cheese burgers and an excellent selection of cocktails irrespective of what day of the week it is.

They also offer 2 or 3 course corporate lunches, including a tolerable range of soups, salads, appetizers, entrées and mini desserts for Rs. 199 (2 course meal) and 299 (3 course) only; plus VAT and service charges. So all you need to do is select 2 or 3 different dishes out of the menu and enjoy one unlimited non-alcoholic beverage too!

Here’s what I have tried till now.

- Chicken Caeser Salad
With plenty of fresh lettuce tossed in their own creamy and garlicky Caeser dressing, juicy pieces of grilled chicken and grated Parmesan cheese on top with a slice of garlic bread soaked in butter on the side makes this dish highly recommendable. Don’t forget to request for extra bread croutons, for a crunchier experience!

- Cajun Fried Chicken Salad
Fried chicken salad sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? But if you like fried chicken, then who cares! Crispy Cajun-battered chicken strips (which, if overcooked, taste like roadside bhajjiyas) served on tossed greens and boiled eggs with Honey Mustard dressing on the side. Try this only if Ceaser Salad is not available or if you’re really craving for some fried chicken lately.

- Jack Daniels Chicken Strips
Disappointment, is what this appetizer tastes like. The same fried chicken used for Cajun Salad is smeared with excessive Jack Daniels sauce, making it a little too sweet and overpoweringly flavoured. The portion is not enough to feed a child either. So don’t bother ordering this unless you want an excuse to slap the chef for forgery.

- Herb Grilled Chicken
Poorly marinated chicken seasoned and grilled to almost perfection, served with three morsels of Spanish rice along with one tiny piece of 5 different diced vegetables and topped with black bean sauce which tasted exactly like Tabasco. In a word, AVOID.

- Pot Stickers
Call for this only if you can’t control your urge of having dumplings. The stuffing, consisting of spicy minced chicken, was inadequate and the overall taste was a little too salty than required. Although, the hot & sour dipping sauce that comes along was absolutely delicious!

- Thai Red Chicken Curry
This main course dish was fortunately not as disappointing as almost all the other on offer. The curry was slightly rich, extremely spicy with plenty of well-cooked cubed boneless chicken floating in it, served with fragrant green rice and seasonal vegetables. Not excellent but not too bad either.

- Herb Chicken Pasta
Clearly the best dish on the limited menu, Herb Chicken Pasta comes power-packed with grilled herb chicken sautéed over fettuccine ribbons, tossed with fresh basil pesto sauce along with diced red tomatoes and parmesan cheese garnished on top. Here’s a tip: Ask for extra pesto for more flavour.

- Chicken Mushroom Peppers
Do NOT get deceived by the following description under this entry on the menu: “Sautéed chicken breast simmered with white wine, sweet and spicy peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, capers and olives. Served with herb rice.” Unless you believe mushrooms and olives are invisible and white wine tastes like saltwater.

- The Chocolate Oreo Mint Crunch
TGIF has an unusual way of serving sinful desserts - in small shot glasses. Their Chocolate Oreo Mint Crunch is as irresistible and velvety as it sounds to be. It will definitely leave you wanting for more.

Rate Card:

What's Garma-Garam?
Value for money factor, nothing else.

What's Thanda?
Almost all main course dishes need drastic improvement.

Kuch Hatke:
Unlike most restaurants offering only aerated beverages on unlimited refills, TGIF also offers their special Friday’s Lemonade, which can be served to you as you like it.

Andar Ki Baat:
Bewdas rejoice! Now you can add one Tuborg pint to your bill for Rs. 50 only!

Dakaar Level:
3.25/5

Moral of the review:
Some restaurants sound like they were named by Rebecca Black but never judge a restaurant by its name-giver. Okay?

Happy hogging! :)

Nandu's Paratha House, Fort, Mumbai.

2010-11-11T21:36:00.000-08:00

Hey! How have you been? Missed me?
*Looks at feet* Yeah, me neither.

I know another review of a PURE VEG restaurant might upset all my non-vegetarian friends. So, the following jokes are dedicated to all of them.

1) Me to friend: "Why are you vegetarian?"
Friend: "Because I love animals."
Me: "I'm non-vegetarian for the same reason."

2) How many vegans does it take to change the light bulb?
Ans: None. Vegans can't change anything.

3) What started the riots between vegetarians and non-vegetarians in India?
Ans: This post.

Anyway, after hearing a lot about Nandu's Paratha House over the past few months, I finally managed to eat there very recently. And boy, the food did meet my high expectations. If you enjoy eating at shudh shakahaari restaurants like Crystal (at Girgaon Chowpatty), Bhagat Tarachand, Nanumal Bhojraj etc., Nandu will force you to lick your fingers clean, whether you like it or not.

Located in the narrow lane opposite Cheetah Gate and Old Custom House at Fort, which is besides Lion Gate and was probably known as Tyrannosaurs Rex Gate millions of years ago; it is clearly not very difficult to find the restaurant especially if you know where Asiatic Library is. Good luck.

- What I tried:

Aloo Paratha (Rs. 55)
[Disclaimer: If you're the health-conscious-fitness-freak-type, avoid ordering parathas.] They're deep fried to perfection; are extremely crisp, flaky and well stuffed. The hot stuffing of mashed potatoes mixed with chopped onions and chillies goes well with the curd and pickle on the side. Not the best aloo aratha I've had but clearly above average.

Dal Makhani (Rs. 90) - "Their speciality"
I have grown up eating authentic dal makhani at home and it's easily one of my most favorite dishes. Some people might find this dish ordinary, but getting the right texture and blend of spices along with the not-so-overpowering creaminess can be quite challenging. All I will say is Maa ki yaad aa gayi.
Chole Khichdi (Rs. 70)
There are very few dishes which satisfy hunger like gharelu dal-chaawal. Don't you agree? Dal Khichdi being most of ours daily-delicacy, I decided to try this interesting variation of it mixed with chickpeas. I could taste the spices, chopped onions and coriander and the rice was not overcooked, which is usually the mistake made by most restaurants. Go try!

Lassi (Rs. 25) - Also their speciality.
Every Punjabi boy knows what ideal lassi tastes like, and I am no exception to that. The lassi served here tastes great but lacks a little texture. Also, the quantity is ridiculous. One glass is not satisfying at all. Thus, I tried the rose milk (Rs. 30) too, which was extremely ordinary.

Before moving on to the conclusion, I would like to express my regret for not being able to try their special parathas including Pizza Topping Paratha, Pav Bhaji Paratha, Pasta Paratha, Jalapeno Cheese Paratha, Vada Pav Paratha etc. Yes, stop rubbing your eyes in disbelief. If you have tried these, please drop in your feedback and comments. To view their entire range of distinctive parathas and other Punjabi dishes - click here.

What's Garma-Garam?
The quality of ingredients, generosity in quantity and overall authenticity of food.
Also, don't forget to try the Dal Makhani!

What's Thanda?
The quantity of lassi and the quality of side-dishes. Come on, they can do better than serving just plain curd and bland pickle. I would also suggest all of you to avoid visiting the tiny, cramped restaurant and call for food or pick it up instead.

Kuch Hatke:
You can "make your own paratha" by adding whatever ingredients you like.

Dakaar Level:
4.25/5.

Chances of visiting this place again within a month: 90%

Moral of the review:
Khaali bartan aawaaz karde hain dakaar bankar. :P

Happy Hogging! :)

- THE BIG BHOOKAD

McDonald’s New Breakfast Menu

2010-10-08T04:38:00.000-07:00

Hello! Long time no see, huh?
I hope all your wishes have come true; especially your mother-in-law’s natural death? Good. Let’s move on.

Let me greet you in the infamous tone of rather an infamous actress:
“Goooooooood maaaaarneeeeeng, Mumbaaaaaai!”
(Don’t know who I am referring to? My point exactly.)

Anyway, this post is dedicated to party animals, insomniacs, joggers and all the three health conscious, college-going early birds who unfailingly get up before 11 AM everyday.

McDonald’s, the leading American fast-food restaurant chain in India, has finally managed to expand its limited offerings by adding a breakfast menu, including pancakes, hash browns and surprisingly good coffee at extremely reasonable prices.

And if you haven’t heard about it yet, you’re either:

a) An introvert

b) Illiterate

c) A werewolf

d) A Bigg Boss contestant

e) All of the above

Why? Because they’re advertising everywhere more than, well, Bigg Boss itself. Here, check it out www.mcdonaldsindia.com/whatsnew.html

So, after a long, never-ending house party, my friends and I decided to stuff our faces with yummy breakfast before we eventually hit the sack. And boy, after all that booze, all we needed is this. It was an absolutely divine experience.

What I had:

- Hot Cakes with Maple Syrup and Butter (Rs. 50 for two pancakes)
If you are expecting these to be very ordinary, you’ll be as surprised as I was. They were fresh, light, tender and fairly fluffy. The ridiculously small packet of cheap butter is probably given just for namesake but the maple syrup is delicious. Although, I think they are passing simple pancake syrup as maple syrup. There’s a huge difference between them, but nevertheless the pancake syrup’s good enough. So top it up with a lot of that and avoid the butter.

- Sausage McMuffin with Egg (Rs. 55)
Apparently, this particular item is topping the charts. I am not surprised. With juicy grilled chicken sausage combined with freshly steamed eggs and cheese squeezed between well toasted muffins; this one clearly is the winner amongst everything on the breakfast menu.

- Hash Browns (Rs. 20)
If you love hash browns, you will certainly not be disappointed. Extremely crisp and brown on the outside and tender inside. It is hot and looks good enough to burn your tongue in impatience. I couldn’t convince myself to have only one. Enough said.

- Coffee (Rs. 20)
It might look like just another machine-wala-coffee but it was strong and extremely refreshing. For those who don’t like it hot, try the cold coffee.

You can also try the Cuppa Corn (Rs 20), Veggie McMuffin (Rs 35), Egg & Cheese McMuffin (Rs 35), Spinach & Corn McMuffin (Rs 40), Sausage McMuffin (Rs 45), Egg McMuffin with Chicken Salami or a bit of everything by ordering a vegetarian breakfast platter or a non-vegetarian platter.

[And for those of you confusing these McMuffins with cakes, kindly don’t. These muffins are simply pieces of toasted bread and are not sweet.]

Remember, the breakfast menu is available only between 7 am and 11 am.

Now, for the conclusion…

What's Garma-Garam?
The Sausage McMuffin with Egg and Cheese.
Awesomeness topped with some more awesomeness.

What's Thanda?
The service is horrible. The waiters looked horribly drowsy and we had to wait 20 minutes for something which was already ready to be served. Here’s a tip. WAKE UP!

Kuch Hatke:
Read the content on the tray below your food. It is amateurish, nonsensical and utter rubbish. Here’s an extract to prove that to you: “Cheese has found various usages down the years. The term ‘say cheese’ has diligently replaced ‘smile please’ when it comes to clicking pictures. Closer home, cheese has been used to refer to a thing. ‘Yeh cheez’ means this thing.” – WTF? :|

Andar Ki Baat:
McDonald’s serves a wide range of options for breakfast around the world, unlike India. They were planning to start it in India since 2007 and finally did sometime last year.

Dakaar Level:
4.33/5.

Chances of visiting this place again within a month: 80%

To sum it up, here’s a suggestion.
Don’t bother going if you are highly health conscious and when you do, make the most of your Saturday night by feeding your hangover well.

Happy Hogging! :)

- THE BIG BHOOKAD

Not Just Brunch by the Bay

2010-08-24T23:36:00.000-07:00

[This post was written for Mumbaikar.com; click here to see it.]

If you are keen to try a never-before experienced buffet for lunch, this might be exactly what you are looking for. I’ve been visiting this stylish restaurant for more than 4 years now, especially for their salad buffet. And I am always equally excited to eat here as I was for the very first time. Sometimes I even uncontrollably clap with joy before entering the restaurant. No, really.

Anyway, Not Just Jazz by the Bay is undoubtedly one of Mumbai’s most successful restaurants with its primal, downtown waterfront location and exclusive interiors. The primary focus of the restaurant is evidently music. Dimly lit purple and blue interiors, black and white posters of famous music celebrities, music notes imprinted on the cutlery etc. reinforce the theme.

The lunch buffet comprising of exquisite soups, sandwiches and salads is extremely popular amongst shoppers, corporate executives and pigs like me. For Rs.300 (plus taxes) you can have unlimited soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts. That’s pretty awesome, isn’t it? Here, have a look:

Soups: You can start your meal by having the vegetarian or the non-veg soup-of-the-day. On my recent visit, they were serving Chicken Manchow Soup and boy, it was unbelievably delicious. So much that I managed to ignore the breadsticks and butter kept on the table for the first time in my life.

Salads: I personally like the way the buffet is always set up on the bar. You will be happy to see multi cuisine salads from all around the world, but non-vegetarians might be a little disappointed to see just 4 to 5 carnivore options up there. Enjoy a wide range of dishes including coleslaw, bacon, egg salad, beans, tandoori mushrooms and paneer, macroni salad, juicy beef salads, stir fried vegetables etc. And top it up with a lot of garlic mayo and their Thousand Island dressing, just like I do!

Sandwiches: There are around 10 to 12 assorted sandwiches that you could choose from and order with your choice of bread and the option of getting it grilled. Or you can request them to stuff it with whatever you like! I requested mine to be made with a lot of chicken, spinach and cheese; which was incredibly delicious!

Desserts: This is quite a bummer. I always end up mentioning this point in their feedback form before leaving: “Desserts suck. Can do much better.” But unfortunately, I don’t see any improvement yet. The chocolate mousse is just about tolerable but those pastries are horrible! In fact, I happened to see a variant on the dessert menu this time - White Mousse, and it was probably the worst dessert I’ve ever had! I suggest you to stuff your mouth with two scoops of yummy vanilla ice cream and leave wordlessly instead.

Anyway, quickly moving on to the conclusion now:

What's Garma-Garam?
Almost everything, especially the ambiance and the sandwiches.
Also, don’t forget to try the Soup of the Day!

What's Thanda?
Desserts suck.
And who likes paying Rs. 120 for a glass of coke, dude?!

Kuch Hatke:
Try their outstanding cocktails if you are willing to upset your pockets a little bit.

Andar Ki Baat: Not Just Jazz by the Bay is probably the only place in the city which organizes karaoke nights three times a week. The entry fee is usually only Rs. 250 per head. Go have fun with your group of friends!

Dakaar Level:
4.25/5.

Chances of visiting this place again within a month:
79%

To sum it up, here’s a suggestion.
If you haven’t been here yet, slap yourself at least 192 times or just go over this weekend.

Happy Hogging! :)

- THE BIG BHOOKAD

Nanumal Bhojraj, APMC Market, Vashi.

2010-08-16T22:18:00.000-07:00

[This post was written for Mumbaikar.com; click here to see it.]

Hello!
Ki haal chaal, people?!
Sab changa? Acha, acha.

So, judge me all you want, but I will courageously dare to say this. I personally enjoy eating at vegetarian restaurants too and I grab the opportunity whenever one arises. Which is usually also known as 'uncontrollable hunger'. Sometimes the little herbivore in me manages to defeat the dominant carnivore.

No, on a serious note, I had heard a lot about Nanumal Bhojraj since my family shifted to Navi Mumbai a year ago and I finally managed to visit one of their outlets at Vashi recently. And boy, I repent for not having the opportunity to eat here earlier.

Anyway, here’s emphasizing on their history first. Nanumal Bhojraj was initially established as a sweet shop at Masjid Bandar in 1953. It is probably one of the only restaurants serving authentic Sindhi delicacies even today, with three outlets around Mumbai in Masjid Bandar, Tardeo and Vashi respectively.

While waiting for our turn, my companion and I mutually decided to try the chaas first. It probably needs compliments that words won’t be able to defy. Apparently, Nanumal Bhojraj was the first one to serve chaas in beer bottles and Chandu Bhagatara followed their footsteps later. Ahem, so moving on to the food now.

Here’s a list of dishes we tried:

- Tandoori Butter Khichiya Papad
You might have tried Khichiya fried or roasted on coal, but these guys believe in making it distinctively. A perfect appetizer to tease your hunger while your food arrives.

- Papadi Paneer (Dry)
This perhaps was my favorite dish amongst everything we tried. A slice of cottage cheese covered with shreds of papad and spices fried to perfection. If you think you’ve had something like this before, try it here.

- Papadi Paneer (Gravy)
We loved the Papadi Paneer so much that we decided to try the gravy version as well, and it did match our expectations. The gravy was thick with a blend of rich flavors and spices.

- Desi Ghee Dal Fry
Like most of us, I am a complete dal fan. And trust me, the dal served here is probably the best it can ever get. Yes, I mean it. The tadka of fried onions, ghee and other spices will force you to serve yourself another helping.

- Aloo Methi
If you’re Sindhi or know what traditional Aloo Methi tastes like, this is it.

- Besan Kofta Nanumal Bhojraj is renowned to serve one Sindhi delicacy everyday. We decided to try the Saturday special – Besan Kofta. Let me verdict the authenticity of this dish in the easiest possible way: “Maa ki yaad aa gayi.”

- Special Desi Ghee Chapati and Ghaska Maska
We tried two different types of Chapatis and honestly, I never thought roti could get this special. You must to try Ghaska Maska Butter Chapati. *Slurp!*

- Dal & Palak Kichidi
Dal Kichidi was essentially Moong dal cooked with rice together and mixed with fried onions. Can do much better. But the Palak Kichidi was outstanding. I personally had 3 helpings of that. Enough said?

We wished to try a few more items on the menu but we had stuffed ourselves enough already. But there’s always room for desserts, right?

- Mung Dal Sira & Doodhi Halwa
If you think Doodhi Halwa sucks, this will change your mind forever. Whereas, Mung Dal Sira is one of my favorite delicacies and I must confess, I was impressed. Full points for the Sira; well done!

If you want to try a few things together and not spend too much either, try their Special Thali. Now, quickly moving on to the conclusion.

What's Garma-Garam?
Almost everything we tried, especially the Dal.

What's Thanda?
Nothing really, except it would be wise for everybody to sit in the A/C section.

Kuch Hatke: Oh, the divine Papadi Paneer.
Easily one of the best vegetarian dishes I’ve ever had.

Andar Ki Baat:
Catering services are available for anywhere in Mumbai and this outlet in Vashi also has a separate section for family functions with the capacity of around 100 people.

Dakaar Level:
4.25/5.

Chances of visiting this place again within a month:
72%

For more information, visit www.nanumalbhojraj.com or become their fan on Facebook if you have already visited one of their outlets in the past.

Please share this with your friends, or suffer bad luck for the next 12 and a half years.

Happy hogging! :)

- THE BIG BHOOKAD

Unplugg Restobar, Malad.

2010-08-05T11:57:00.000-07:00

Hello, everybody!
Long time no see, huh?
All good? Okay.

This review was written for www.mumbaikar.com. Click here to check that out.

So, I happened to visit this new bar in Malad recently. Since I am a Navi Mumbai resident, it took me a while to be convinced by my friends to travel those endless miles to Malad just for a few drinks. But trust me, when I left Unplugg, I was already planning my next visit.

Unfortunately, I took a millennium to locate the place. All I had to do is reach Marve Road, exactly where Uncle’s Kitchen was previously located, while my friends gradually turned into fossils waiting for me. I might have eaten at Uncle’s Kitchen 221 times in the past and it still took me so long. Why, you wonder? Because my road sense is as horrible as Himesh’s dressing sense and Sherlyn Chopra’s nonsense.

After entering the bar, my first impression was pleasant. The ambiance is distinctive and exclusive enough to outwit your expectations towards Malad. In fact, the moderate volume of music will even let you have a conversation with your friends, unlike other bars in the city. The waiters were also very friendly and welcoming.

Anyway, we decided to try a few starters first, along with our cocktails. I ordered for a Long Island Iced Tea and one of my friends requested for a Cosmopolitan, while others expressed their loyalty towards beer. We ordered Buffalo Strips, Cottage Cheese Vol-Au-Vents and a range of different Kebabs such as Achari, Kalmi, Iranian (Unplugg Special) and Chicken Rosale Kebabs. We were served immediately within a few minutes and those dishes somewhat* looked like this:
(*2MP camera.)

Unplugg Special Irani Kebab [Rs. 160]
Chicken served boneless, marinated in saffron infused yogurt and grilled to perfection.

Achari Tikka – [Rs. 160]
Chicken marinated in yogurt and traditional mustard flavored pickle.

Chicken Kalmi Kebab – [Rs.160]
Minced chicken marinated in ginger, garlic, onions and coriander, wrapped on to skewers.

Buffalo Strips [Rs. 160]
Spicy tender chicken strips served with hot barbeque sauce.

Cottage Cheese Vol – au – Vents [Yes, you guessed it right! Rs. 160 again!]
Mini puff pastry shells filled with a mixture of cottage cheese in a cream sauce.

I personally enjoyed the Buffalo Strips and those Iranian Kebabs the most. The chicken was unbelievably tender and the flavor was utterly delicious. Cottage Cheese Vol-Au-Vents is a unique dish, something that would melt in your mouth and make you fall in love with it.
Err, or make you sound gay like that.

I would like to genuinely compliment their quality of meat. Bravo. Their style of preparation is praiseworthy too. The Long Island Iced Tea was just above average, there’s room for improvement, I say. On the other hand, the Cosmopolitan was surprisingly very good.

After we shamelessly licked our plates clean, we somehow controlled our urge to yell: “Calendar Khaana Lao!” Please forgive yourself if you don’t remember this infamous dialogue from Mr. India. Please.

When the food arrived, we hogged like gigantic monsters! I even signed three autographs as Yokozuna and one as Adnan Sami later.

Anyway, here’s a quick peek on the main course.

Kadai Mutton [Rs. 210]
Unbelievably tender mutton sautéed with cumin, coriander and a rich, red masala cooked over high flames in the classic Indian wok – The Kadai.

Chicken Hibernian [Rs. 280]
Chicken and leeks simmered in a Whiskey laced cream sauce, with butter rice, fries and veggies on the side.

Mutton Biriyani [Rs. 180]
Unbelievably tender mutton again, tossed with rich basamati rice and desi spices.

Naan Garlic [Rs. 35]
The traditional Punjabi bread made with leavened dough in a clay oven, smeared with garlic paste and butter.

I must applaud them for their quality of meat once again. The mutton melts in your mouth within seconds and the flavors are well recognizable. I felt like taking the chef home; but on inquiring, I was informed that the chef is a dude. So, yeah, never mind.

The continental dish was very ordinary but the butter rice that came along with it was delicious. Garlic Naan was decent too. I guess it is safe to say that the Chef is better at preparing Mughlai dishes.

Now, to conclude…

What's Garma-Garam?
The starters, especially those Irani Kebabs and Buffalo Strips. And this would be the third time I am recommending the mutton to all of you. I'm sure you get the point.

What's Thanda?
Their attempt at continental and Italian delicacies.
And what’s up with playing Elton John on loop, dude?

Kuch Hatke:
Unlike 9 out 10 bars in Mumbai, this one has a considerably big smoking section on the ground floor. Yes smokers, here’s your chance to at least quit complaining now.

Andar Ki Baat:
If you think Malad lacks happening places, you’re wrong. Not anymore. Also, the cocktail rates are comparatively cheaper than usual bars. The Long Island Iced Tea was only for Rs. 260.

Dakaar Level: 4/5.

Chances of visiting this place again within a month: 70%
(Yes, even after it being located in Malad.)

In case your road sense is equivalent to mine, just ask for Uncle’s Kitchen after reaching Malad (West) and I am sure even random, clueless roadside pedestrians would guide you with correct directions. Good luck.

Go, Unplugg your work stress this weekend.
Cheers.

PS: I wish I convince my friends to try “The Grill”. Anyway, you guys go try it and tell me about it! [Choose your meat, marinade and your sauce and tell your waiter how you would like to have it – medium or well done.]

PSS: And please share this with your friends or else you'll have 124214 years of bad luck and if you have a Blackberry the Government will take strict action against you. True story.

Okay bye!

- The Big Bhookad

Yoko Sizzlers

2010-07-13T09:26:00.000-07:00

Yo! All cool, ye?
Do ye think this lingo'd make me look effin' supercool, eh?
Yeah, me neither.

So... *puts on unbelievably cool sunglasses*
Did you know sizzlers were founded in United States (1958), in an American cuisine-based restaurant chain called the Del's Sizzler Family Steak House, owned by an Australian, serving steak, seafood, salad and other such delicacies? Ha, thought as much!

What?! Of course I did not Google that.
No, not tweaked Wikipedia content either!
*Looks up in the sky. Whistles awkwardly. Hmph, removes sunglasses and hands it over to you.*

Well, I happened to eat at Yoko's after a year or so. I wasn't surprised to see a million people waiting for their table, even after 3 PM! Thus, like any other starving man who hasn't eaten anything since the previous night would do, I waited.

Speaking of that, here's a quick message for the manager at Yoko's, Santacruz:
A) My size might make me look like a fat aunty at the first glimpse, but I am not one. B) NO, my name possibly cannot be Chanramookhi, Mrs. Shah, Jigeeeeeeesha or Mrs. patiencewala!

So stop looking at ME so passionately while you call out those names!

Anyway, finally 214124081209411238 micro-mini seconds later, we were escorted to our table while my stomach continued to imitate Himesh Reshammiya's vocal talents. I ordered for their Cube Steak Sizzler with cheese, and my vegetarian friend called for a Mushroom Cheese Sizzler along with two ice teas, before the waiter grumpily nodded and left.

And this is what arrived just a few minutes later; much quicker than we expected:

Let me comment on the quality of meat first. BOO HOO. I think preparing steak with quality meat can never go wrong. I specifically asked for something in between 'medium' and 'well done' but I was clearly not taken seriously. It was undoubtedly tasty but I must have resembled a cow while I struggled to finish it. On the other hand, the vegetarian sizzler was quite delicious. Good flavor, rich ingredients and well prepared. Unfortunately, I only enjoyed eating the fried onions and noodles on that sizzling plate.

But what put me off most were their ice teas. Forget the quantity, if I am paying almost 100 bucks for it, I can fairly expect it to taste like ice tea, right?
BOO HOO TWO.

I should have resisted my urge to have steak that day and ordered their famous Chicken Shashlik Sizzler or the Mixed Grill Sizzler. Or maybe their Steak Satellite would be better than Cube Steak,
It's okay; you always learn from your own mistakes, don't you? I know, me neither.

Here's the sadmaa:
1 Veg. Sizzling Mushroom Cheese Sizzler - Rs. 350
1 Cube Steak Sizzler - Rs. 370
Extra cheese - Rs. 40
2 Ice Teas - Rs. 90/each.
[+Very Averse Taxation 12.5%]
Total: Rs. 1060

Why no dessert, you wonder? I *really* wanted to save the day by having their sizzling brownie, but they apparently were out of brownies. The waiter insisted on trying 'his kulfi' instead.

| Insert awkward silence here |

Conclusion:

What's Garma-Garam?
The sizzlers. Haha, fail pun intended.
I recommend their Shashlik and Pepper sizzlers. Also, the Mixed Grill Sizzler.

What's Thanda?
Their grumpy service and their Ice Tea were horribly thanda.
Perceived pun not intended. Go for aerated beverages instead.

Kuch Hatke:
Try their hamburger steak; it's nice.

Andar Ki Baat:
If you have never eaten here and if this review fails to convince you, check out their fancy website: www.yokosizzlers.com

Dakaar Level: 3/5. (Recent visit, 4 otherwise.)

Chances of visiting this place again within a month: 68%

Other places for better sizzlers: Out Of The Blue.

Please leave behind your comments and feedback for future improvements.
Also, tell me which restaurants you like me to review next.

That's all, friends. I hope you'd liked this one.
So... now that we are friends, could you please share this and make me happy?

*Looks around quickly. Pulls out a few battered notes and gives it to you.*

Yo Go To YoKo.
Ok?

Happy hogging! :)

- THE BIG BHOOKAD

Piccadilly, Donald House, Colaba Causeway.

2010-07-04T03:09:00.000-07:00

Marhaba! Ya habibi!
Tch tch. Get rid of that belly-dancing image in your head, re!
It's just an attempt to greet you.

Let me add a disclaimer here if you're absolutely fond of Lebanese and/or Persian food, or used be a loyal Piccadilly fan just like me.

Piccadilly is dying, and I don't think it'll make it through.
Ussey dava ki nahi, duaa ki zarroorat hain.

For those who don't know anything about Piccadilly yet, here's a quick peek.

It is probably much smaller than you expect but they do have an A/C section upstairs. Even today, the restaurant flaunts a typical Iranian ambiance and setting, which includes checkered table cloths, waiters shouting out orders to cooks, cashiers suffering from face paralysis, etc.

Just 3 to 5 years ago, Piccadilly used to be a popular joint amongst goraas, lukhaas and other window shoppers who stampede Colaba Causeway even today. I clearly remember relishing their Shawarma while shopping for ma bling, duplicate football jerseys, bandanas and a few other things that make me repent and cherish my college life equally.

But unfortunately, eating here after one whole year murdered my excitement.

Here's what I ordered:
- Chicken Shawarma
- 1/2 Grilled Chicken
- Dazaz Mahashi Biriyani (Chicken)
- Caramel Custard

Before I proceed, I'd like to request all the Arabs reading this post, especially the ones who actually understand it, to spare my life. Please.

The Shawarma sucked. The ingredients were absolutely disappointing. Cabbage was stale and the pita bread wasn't heated well. The main ingredient, i.e. chicken shreds, was over-grilled which ended up tasting like fries, and fries instead were soggy. The only thing which didn't suck was the complimentary pickle.

Their Grilled Chicken was probably imported from Afghanistan. Or maybe I was blessed with one out of the extremely rare Paris Hilton stock. The only flesh I managed to bite while *trying* to eat that, were my fingers. Whereas, the Dazaz Mahashi Biriyani was strictly okay. I should've ordered the Chello Kebab Rice instead, but honestly I don't think it would've made my experience any better.

I've heard people saying Piccadilly serves authentic Lebanese food.
I agree. As authentic as Khau Galli's Chinese.

*Randomly hears a loud noise. Checks for intact limbs and flesh. Courageously decides to continue.*

The only saving grace of this meal was their Caramel Custard.
Clearly one of the best I've ever had. Better than Noorani's, Bagdadi's or Delhi Darbar's custard.

But that smile didn't last for long, especially on my friend's face, when we received a bill of Rs. 500. [PS: He might be introduced a few weeks later as The Big Kanjoos to evaluate restaurants on their value-for-money quotient.]

It is safe to say, we spent 250 bucks per head on two and a half morsels of custard.

Time for conclusion.

What's Garma-Garam?
Nothing really. Not anymore.

What's Thanda?
Almost everything. Especially the overrated Chicken Shawarma.

Kuch Hatke:
Try the caramel custard.
I personally enjoyed having that.

Andar Ki Baat:
Try their Iranian dishes over Lebanese specialties.

Dakaar Level: 2/5.

Chances of visiting this place again within a month: 21.023%

If you differ, comment here.
If you like this site, please share it with your friends.
If you're on Twitter, please RT for a party.
But do something.

I might clearly not live long after this post. So please.

Yalla Bye.

- THE BIG BHOOKAD

Rajdhani

2010-06-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hello!
Kem cho?
Me too wearing pajamas!

Due to public demand, I'm going to review a vegetarian restaurant this time.

*Please insert 'ghaas-phoos' jokes here*

Believe it or not, most of my friends are vegetarians. Some of them know karate, some of them have mastered the art of bugging me and I owe some money to the remaining few. And they all know where I live.

So, yeah.

Rajdhani is renowned for its royal thalis, and they have a daily fixed menu with enough items to exceed my consistent 2nd grade knowledge of numbers.

I'd like to comment on their service first. They welcome you warmly with a huge smile and respectful gestures, and nodding awkwardly. Speaking of gestures, did you know they have these weird gang-signs for every dish? It's like playing dumb charades with food! Anyway, the point being, they make you feel at ease before you dig into brilliant Marwari-and-somewhat-Gujarati delicacies.

Here’s a list of dishes served by them that day:
• Sandwich Dhoklas
• Aloo Palak Pakodas
• Daal Baati (With enough ghee to fatten the entire of Afghanistan)
• Meethi Dal
• Teekhi Moong Dal Tadka
• Stuffed Tendli ka subji (Eeks!)
• Gatti ki subji
• Aalu Tamatar Ka Subji
• Dahi ni Kadhi
• Churma
• Bajra ni rotli
• Rotla with jaggery and ghee
• Mini Parathas & Chapatis
• Dal Khichda
• Steamed Rice
• Kachumbar, Garlic Chutney, Tomato Chutney & Sweet Mango Pickle (Chunda) and papads on the side.
• Basundi and Loki Halwa for dessert

Hmm, that’s all.

Oh, and I also ordered for smoked chaas. Yes, SMOKED CHAAS.
Sounds trippy, no? Well, it was!

A very distinctive taste of curd, spices and mint combined with the flavor of coal. I highly recommend it to all of you.

Everything was unlimited, including the dhoklas and pakodas, which I personally liked a lot. Unfortunately, all the three subjis were below average, but Gatti ki subji was quite delicious. Their daal-baati was to die for! I must have had at least three helpings of that dish. Food was served hot and I’d give full marks to the quality of ingredients and the friendly service provided by their waiters.

Moving on to the conclusion…

What's Garma-Garam?
Their side-dishes take all the attention and the daal khichda topped with ghee was awesome!

What's Thanda?
Awful subjis, dude!
Who the hell wants to have TINDLE or that watery aalu subji, man!?

Kuch Hatke:
Definitely THE Smoked Chaas.

Andar Ki Baat:
I would request you to go on weekdays as weekends are raided by Jains, Patels and Shahs.

Dakaar Level: 4/5.

Chances of visiting this place again within a month: 60%

Do comment if you like this site.
Feedback would be appreciated by distributing free beer.
*God promise.*

So, that's all for now.
Happy hogging!

Aavjo!

- THE BIG BHOOKAD

Global Fusion [Top Floor, Link Square Mall, Linking Road, Bandra West]

2010-06-13T00:33:00.000-07:00

Konnichiwa!

After all those recommendations, peer pressure and repeated humiliations for not experiencing Global Fusion yet, I decided to finally prevent homicide by going there. I couldn't wait to stuff myself with unlimited sea food, which is also known as 'buffet' in civilized, non-bhookad terms.

Yes, you got that right. I did say UNLIMITED SEA FOOD.
Now put your tongue back in your mouth, will you?

Firstly, let me wish you luck to find this place if you haven't heard of it at all.
Global Fusion is inside Link Square Mall, on the top floor.
Where is this Link Square mall, you wonder? Hmm, precisely my point.

Anyway, here are a few tips to find the place:
- Inside KFC's lane.
- Opposite Firangi Paani.
- Same mall where Mumbai Times Cafe is, but different entrance.
- Same lane where Bombay Blue, Mini Punjab & Hokey Pokey exist.

If you still don't find it, poke yourself in the right eye, enact any scene from Bhansali's Black and go home immediately. And if you do, make a fool out of yourself by paying Rs. 40 to park your car and think for the next 2134 years about a safe option to park on Linking Road.

Now, let me justifiably warn you about how misleading the name is. It should've been Asian Fusion. Because as far as I remember, Japan and allied chinkis haven't conquered over the world yet. If you love sushi, dimsums, tenpuras, etc., you'll wish to marry their chef. Even if that person belongs to the same sex.

They have around 35 to 40 different types of vegetarian and non-veg starters to offer, ranging from fried king prawns, steamed dumplings, teriyaki chicken, stir-fried mushrooms & onions (my favorite) and any other ping-pong-sing-a-song-ding-dong dish you could think of.

Here, have a look:

The ambiance is very ethnic with a fountain running between the restaurant and Buddha plus Feng-Shui-type statues all round. No points for guessing which part of the world is the entire staff from. Lovely atmosphere, helpful waiters and food that could make you cry in sheer happiness. The experience was as wonderful as I was told it'd be. But the main course wasn't.

I was highly disappointed to see only 5 dishes lined up for the main course.
I know, I know, after knowing how thin these chinkis are, I should have guessed they probably don't eat more that 2.5 dumplings and 5 grains of rice for lunch; but I'm The Big Bhookad, remember?

This is what I had after hogging starters for over 2 hours and nearly bursting once:
- Ginger Fried Rice
- Crab + Fish + Prawns + Chicken + Lamb
- Topped with some Thai Curry.

Bas, that's all. :(

Honestly, the main course was not even half as tasty as those starters were.
So to make up for the loss, I decided to double my greed for desserts.
They serve mini-pastries which melt in your mouth; but some taste like deodorant. And they also serve multiple flavors of Baskin Robbin's ice cream, including my favorite Mint Milk Chocolate Chips and Rocky Road.

I did say everything is unlimited, right?
Yes, even desserts and non-alcoholic beverages or bottled water.
Everything's on the house, except alcoholic drinks of course.

Sadmaa kitna?
Well, not too much.
*Looks up, scratches nose and whistles awkwardly*

Rs. 650 for lunch and Rs. 750 for dinner on weekdays.
Rs. 750 for lunch and Rs. 850 for dinner on weekends.

(*Estimates. Plus taxes. Blame the Government, not me.)

Now isn't that awesome?

Chalo, time for conclusion.

What's Garma-Garam?
The starters, especially sushi and the stir-fried section.

What's Thanda?
Main course sucks and limited options for vegetarians.

Kuch Hatke:
Try their different types of dimsums, especially the ones which have cheese in it.

Andar Ki Baat:
Starve yourself for a day or two and take full advantage of their extensive menu.

Dakaar Level: 4.5/5.

Chances of visiting this place again within a month: 85%.

That's all folks.
Happy hogging!

Sayonara! :)

- THE BIG BHOOKAD

Janata Lunch Home Restaurant & Bar, Pali Market, Bandra.

2010-06-05T23:39:00.000-07:00

Ladies, gentlemen and beloved beasts.
I'm going to finally be selfless enough to share my love for food with you all. Not enough to share MY food, so don't you dare think about it.

So, here it goes.

Let's begin with one of the most popular addas in Aamchi Mumbai:
Janata Restaurant & Bar located at Pali Naka, one of the busiest streets in Bandra.

If you live in Bandra or are found loitering around often, and still haven't managed to get a glimpse of this shrine for bewdas and bhookads, you're either:

1) An extremely convincing liar.
2) A snobby bimbo.
3) A camel.
4) Blind.
5) All of the above.

And if you're just another working man with a minimalistic bank-balance and a serious stingy behavioral issue, you would've certainly been here at least once. The name is self-explanatory. To the Aam Janata, for the Aam Janata and by the Aam Janata. The Mango People.

For other uncommon people and aforementioned species, remember what your teacher said?
"Never judge a book by its cover and beware of Gulshan Grover."

Yaad aaya?
Good.

First thing you'd probably notice is the shadiness.
But only after you enter, you'd realize the people sitting there aren't convicts, bandits or Akon-lovers. Just like you! Err, hopefully.

During weekends, if you're lucky enough, you'll get a table or even share it with random strangers. If you're luckier, you might even get one upstairs in the A/C section. But you do know how often our desh ka Janata has to stand in a queue or wait patiently for anything, right?

Trust me, the everlasting wait is worthy.
Oh, it is.

Also, if you're expecting this place to be flooded only by guys, you'll be proven wrong. Girls are found in plenty. But don't be lenient enough to take her on your first date here.

The waiters are friendly and they genuinely compete to serve quicker than you'd expect. That is only if you decide to tip well on your first visit and maintain a friendly tone while conversing with them.

Haha, no, I'm kidding.
*Rolls eyes, looks up and whistles innocently.*

After resting your ass on the somewhat wobbly and 'choking-the-fat-to-death seats^', you'll be pleasantly surprised with the rates mentioned on the laminated menu card. This place is probably cheaper than Rakhi Sawant's dignity and easily affordable by Gujjus and Sindhis.

(^True story. I'm one of the only lucky survivors)

Here's a quick peek on my recent visit:

Kingfisher (660ML): Rs. 135
Old Monk (NIP - 180ML): Rs. 130
Half Chicken Tandoori: Rs. 100
Coke-Shoke + Chakna-Wakna: Rs. 60
Getting wasted in less than 500 bucks: Matchless.

Daaru is cheap here.
I repeat, daaru is very cheap here.

*Long pause for your mind to register that successfully.*

An overview on the food menu:

To sum it up, here's a format I'm planning to conclude with every time.

What's Garma-Garam?
Cheap daaru and finger-licking starters.
I recommend their Biryani too; I've also heard they are very popular.

What's Thanda?
Congested and deafeningly noisy atmosphere.

Kuch Hatke:
Try their Chicken Patiyala, it's different.
Boneless chicken kebabs wrapped in an omelette, topped with delicious spicy curry.

Andar Ki Baat:
If you are looking around for late-night daaru services...
*CoughTheyAreOpenTill3Cough*

Dakaar Level: 4/5.

Happy Hogging! :)

- THE BIG BHOOKAD