Food and Wine

In our food and wine blogs section, you’ll find restaurant reviews from Mumbai and the rest of India, Jakarta, Berlin, Munich, & Rome. We have a penchant for vegetarian food and fine wine!

Navratri Feast at The Square, Novotel Mumbai

The Square, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach

The entrance was suitably festive with a wall decorated with festoons and dandiya sticks, ideal for a short photo session before the hunger pangs hit. The lavish menu with an emphasis on vegetarian fare and Gujarati cuisine had been overseen by Executive Chef Kailash Gundapalli, with a special Tam-brahm counter curated by Food Consultant Geeta Hari. Ms. Hari, resplendent in her pattu podava (South Indian silk sari) ensured that we tried the raw banana bhajias and neer mor (a Tamilian version of buttermilk with lots of green chillies and curry leaves).

The curative power of friends and a good breakfast

I’ve had some of the best breakfasts in my home city – Mumbai. Be it brun maska and mawa cake at an Irani café or croissants and coconut crepes at a French one, the city has always filled my belly with good food and my soul with utter contentment. My best friends are also my favourite breakfast buddies. Over forkfuls of syrupy waffles and inappropriately large bites of basil and mozzarella sandwich, we nudge each other to offer up our dreams, secrets and pet philosophies.

Joss, Mumbai: Swanky Asian dining in the ‘burbs

Vegetarian sushi at Joss, Mumbai

The pair of chopsticks beside my table luckily had regular cutlery for company. I wasn’t about to embarrass myself by toying with those contraptions in such an elegant setting. So I happily cut into my Vegas Roll (Rs 850), topped with crunchy corn tempura and sank into my seat with satisfaction. The combination of avocado and furikake sprinkle made this sushi quite delightful. Of the three new vegetarian sushi on the menu, this one was my favourite.

A whiff of the orient at Asia Kitchen & Bar

Asia Bar & Kitchen, Mumbai

The newly opened Asia Bar & Kitchen stands in a league of its own as a swanky, spacious and understated restaurant with a fine listing of oriental drinks and food. Purists generally turn their nose up in disdain whenever I mention vegetarian sushi. But Asia Bar & Kitchen once again reinforced my faith in its deliciousness. The asparagus and avocado tempura rolls had a crispy interior and softer exterior. The combination of ingredients and textures, combined with the creamy sauces made this dish a real winner.

Vero Cibo: Novotel Goa Resort & Spa’s new bistro & bar

Bruschetta at Vero Cibo, Novotel Goa Resort & Spa

It’s not just mountains and temples that are awash with ‘good vibes’. It’s also places like the idyllic, gorgeous and uber luxurious Novotel Goa Resort & Spa at Candolim. An infinity pool against the backdrop of lush coconut trees and grassy green lawns, a state-of-art play area at the reception and the newly opened bistro …

Vero Cibo: Novotel Goa Resort & Spa’s new bistro & bar Read More »

Papacream, Mumbai: Sweet heaven

Ice-cream collage at Papacream, Churchgate, Mumbai

I have an on again, off again relationship with ice-creams thanks to my sensitive throat. Never a great fan of simplistic, puritan ice-creams, I am more enthused by ice-cream in combination with crunchier, chunkier, warmer elements like waffles, chocolate cake and cookies. This is why Papacream works for me. They don’t just serve ice-cream. They serve complete dishes using ice-cream as the protagonist. The exception to this rule is of course the Belgian chocolate ice-cream which I recommend you have as is, in a cup or waffle cone just for its pure perfection.

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