Punjab Grill, Mumbai

Punjab Grill, Phoenix Market City

This wasn't our first option on the day, I was in the mood for some continental, but it being a Saturday, there was a waiting time every where of almost 40 minutes and I wasn't really in the mood for that. Punjab Grill were kind enough to accommodate us within 10 minutes and how glad we were.

One of the reasons why I don't always prefer having Indian outside is because for some peculiar reason I find myself full too soon. However, if the same food is provided to me in the comforts of my own home, I can eat quite a lot. Told you, peculiar. 

This place is a classic fine dine, the one thing I did like a little more about the place were the chandeliers placed. I for some reason have always been in awe of chandeliers. It just adds grandeur to the place, don't you think so?! 

The service here I have mixed feelings for. There seemed to be shortage of staff so this could be one reason why it may have taken time to grab attention from the attendants. But one particular incident which was not to our liking was that we had kept trying for almost 10 minutes to call for service from one of the attendants who was a girl and it almost seemed like she was ignoring us on purpose, then when we did finally manage to make her look our way, she signed saying I will be right back and then she didn't. Might seem like a small incident, but when you are sitting there and trying to make some one pay attention to you and you are met with such odd behavior, you wonder what kind of training has been departed. My friend actually brought this to the attention of the manager because we almost felt insulted after a point as she seemed to be very highhanded. And that we cannot take. I can only hope that the Manager did something about it as we didn't intend to raise a complaint but rather just let some training be given.

The food, I must say I enjoyed and I wouldn't mind going back for. We started off with some Bharwan Khumb Peshwari and Veg Kurkuri. My favorite among the two would be the Kurkuri, which is like spring rolls, only wanton skin is used instead which adds extra crispiness. Stuffed with generous amount of cheese and minced mushrooms, olives etc. Served piping hot and I actually have to give points to presentation here. Little vodka type glassed with sweet chili sauce at the bottom and then the roll. Appealing to the eyes. The Mushrooms were big in size and was stuffed with minced paneer and some more minced mushrooms. If you are a mushrooms fan or have difficulty choosing between mushroom and paneer. Then well, this is the dish you were waiting for. 

For the mains I ordered a mutton dish and my two friends who are pure vegetarians (Alas!) ordered a mixed vegetable dish named Sabziyan di Milniyan. I couldn't even bring myself to  pronounce it. I ordered the Raarhya meat with butter naan and I was completely taken by it. This is one dish, I wouldn't mind ordering and eating at home as well, like it's delicacy and comfort food all at the same time. The mutton pieces were just done right. They hadn't been stingy in the pieces either and it was cooked in a minced mutton gravy. So it was beautiful in a way that I can't put in words. BEAUTIFUL! I would actually want to meet the chef and tell him you have won my heart with this creation. My friends enjoyed their vegetarian gravy equally. It had a distinct taste which I have never had before, I would say Jaipuri but not exactly. Even though I had tried it, I felt I couldn't be the right person to judge it as I was too preoccupied in enjoying my mutton curry. The Naan that we had however, was kind of average and I would have expected to it to be a little more soft. Also, after my recent trip to Jaipur I have realized that mutton pairs better with rice in comparison.

Would I be back here? YES! or I would just order in. At least the mutton Raarhya.

WHAT WE HAD - Veg Kurkuri (Yumness Personified)
                           Bharwan Khumb Peshwari(Yumness)

                           Sabziya di Milniyan (Yumness)

                           Mutton Raarhya (Heaven)

                           Butter Naan (Yum)

                           Mix Raita (Yumness)

                           7-Up

                           Lemon Soda (Refreshing)

DAMAGES - Rs 3400/- (Approx)

WHERE - Punjab Grill.,  Shop 81/82, 1st Floor, Kamai Junction, Kurla, Mumbai      

                    

212 - All Day, Mumbai

212 - All Day, Phoenix Market City

There is always a pro and a con to everything. When there is a movie theater so close to your place that you can just leave home 15 minutes prior show time but when you want to eat out post the movie session, everything is so far away and you are left with not many options but to look for places in the mall and frankly, I have never really felt that pull to any of the places here. But 212 has always intrigued me, so I finally was like let's give it a chance, mainly due to the very mixed reviews I have seen on the place. 

One attraction to this place would be the boards games they have on option and which you can opt whilst either enjoying your drink or meal, whichever would be your preference. Mine is food, if you hadn't guessed already and conversations which are like food for the heart. The service is the usual meet, greet and friendly smile, so pretty standard which is good enough.

Since, it was end of the month (Well, as per my company's salary cycle), I decided we should forego the appetizer options and just jump to the mains. I was more than a little confused if I wanted to have a burger or something from the mains.But in the end I decided to go for mains, because if it's a burger, I wanted beef and you can be fined upto Rs 5 Lac Now for having beef (I just had to say it because well, it's kind of ridiculous and has started to make me question, do I really want to stay here??!! Just so you know I LOVE this place but still you know what I mean) and a chicken burger wasn't holding my interest on the day My friend and me, we were both confused over the same thing. However, she chose to have the club sandwich then and I went for the Chicken Zurichoise. I had literally kept my fingers crossed, because I would be so disappointed if it didn't satisfy me. I was looking for some comfort food, something that warms the heart and the soul. Yes, a meal can do that. And you know what? This actually did that. I am completely in love with this dish. The balance of the flavors, the right amount of creamy and cheesy. Almost, like sitting in your blanket while it rains heavily outside. That it the kind of emotions it brought out and I frankly couldn't have enough of it. The Club Sandwich? another story. A club sandwich may seem like one of the easiest things around, layers of just vegetables and whatever you fancy. Yet it can be one of the plainest things if not done right. And if I wanted plain, I could have done it at home? Yes, I could have. (The one things I am good with is breakfast, and I always experiment with my sandwiches on the weekends). So, this was just plain Jane. Also, the fries felt a little stale. They lacked the crispiness of fresh fries and fries are meant to be consumed immediately. It never really is the same. 

If I had to I would give a 4 or the dish I had and a 2 probably for the sandwich and hence, I am actually left a little confused. Maybe you can try your luck. We also ordered for a lemon soda (for me) and a Sangira (Happy Hours) for my friend. 

WHAT WE HAD - Chicken Julienne (Heaven)

                           NV Club Sandwich with Bacon (Average)

                           Sangria, Red Wine 

                           Lemon Soda (Refreshing)

DAMAGES - Rs 1500/- Approx

WHERE -  212 All Day., F-97, First Floor,Phoenix Market City, LBS Road, Kurla, Mumbai

AROMA'S CAFE, MUMBAI

Yes, I have already written a review on this place before. But I felt like including this here, more so because it is located in Phoenix Market City and I happen to love this location more so than the one in Powai. Why? Because of its location. In the midst of a mall that is swarming with people in and around, this places offers calmness and serenity and you will not even realize the sea of people around you. I love how that factors in to the charm of this place. Actually, that is the charm of this particular place.

I should be apologizing for my long absence from the page. I don't know how many actually felt the difference but you know how writers say that even if there is once person out there who reads and likes what you write, the writer will feel it to be an accomplishment. Before I had taken up the task of writing on this page, that was the one factor that always discouraged me. Do I really want to make a fool of myself? But now it doesn't matter and that's how I know that its true. It doesn't matter how many people are actually reading this but even if one is, it is enough. For Now. :)

You come across this place just as you enter the Mall, just a few steps away probably and has all the High Fashion Labels surrounding it but on any normal day how this seems to be distracting and tempting, it does not so on this particular evening. Partly because there is so much catching up to do as it had been long since I had met this particular friend but more so because the location is as good as it gets on which I have already written so much. The first of its kind. If I am not wrong. If I am, then well, I will live it. :P It is designed like an outdoor cafe in midst of greenery. Only, the place is actually situated inside a mall and does not have actual greenery.

Since this was not dinner time and we were here to just make time. I didn't say kill because, we were here to spend time rather than kill it. :D So it was somewhere between light and heavy. Its another thing that I didn't really bother having any dinner after it. So we ordered a cold coffee and cranberry apple cooler. The cold coffee tasted like a cold coffee but it was the cranberry apple that got my attention. I had taken a risk by ordering it as you know I prefer to stick to my iced tea but I actually liked it. The sweetness of the apple flavor and the sourness of the cranberry mixed well and is delightfully refreshing. We ordered a classic margherita pizza with loads of cheese, creamy garlic mushroom and some BBQ paneer Burgers. The Pizza, thin crust and filled with cheese is just how I like it. Melt in the mouth and the crust just a little toasted, even though it was the wood fired kind. The Creamy Garlic Mushroom is a gravy of cheese, bechamel sauce (as informed to me by my friend) and mushrooms. If I probably added some bolied pasta and sauteed, it would become white cheese pasta. :P Not Complaining. Served with Focaccia bread, it is indeed a delightful combination. The Paneer BBQ Burgers served with a side of fries is light on the pocket as it comes from their combo meal options but does not take away from the flavor or quality in any way. 

So for all you crazy shoppers (like me!) take a break and enjoy the charm of sitting idle in between a sea of people who seem to be on the go around you. You will not regret it! 

WHAT WE HAD - Apple Cranberry Cooler ( Refreshing!)

                           Cold Coffee ( Yum!)

                           Margherita Pizza ( Cheesylicious)

                           Creamy Garlic Mushroom ( My favorite from the Day!)

                           Paneer BBQ Burgers (Yumness!) (We Ordered for 2!)

DAMAGES - Rs 1100/- (Approx) Rs 800/- (If you Deduct the Burgers)

WHERE - Aromas Cafe , Phoenix Market City, Kurla, Mumbai

BOMBAY BLUE, MUMBAI

Some times you are just destined to land up somewhere. There is a dialogue that says "Dane dane pe likha hai khane wale ka naam" ( Translation - Every grain has the name of the person who is to eat it written on the grain). My mom would say this all the time and I realize how true the saying is. I landed up at Bombay Blue after a visit paid to Vile Parle and Bandra. I must have dropped by a dozen restaurants and rejected them for various reasons - too crowded, doesn't look interesting enough, over-priced, too shabby, I don't want to sit on Bar stools to what not!. Mostly because, most of the places in Bandra are crowded on Sunday evening and hence, after walking around in search for food for almost or an hour or more we decided lets head to Phoenix, Kurla. We are sure to find something there. Yes, I am picky. My friends have always told me I am a picky eater, I have lived in denial up-until some time ago. I love food, how can I be picky. But I have learnt to re frame it is I am a moody and choosy Foodie. I go with the mood. ( For example - I feel like having momos/dumplings today and you can bet with me that will be my evening snack :P)

Though there are many food chains in Phoenix, this matched my mood and my stomach called out to me - "Yes, this is it. This is what we have been searching for. The search ends here". :P Well, that's how we arrived at Bombay blues, drained, exhausted and ready-to-eat everything on the menu that they could whip up.

Bombay Blues needs no introduction as it is among some of the popular joints around Mumbai and for good reason. I love the quality as well as the quantity of food they happen to serve. The place serves different varieties when it comes to cuisine. This has become quite the thing now a days where most restaurants have a wide spread of different cuisines on their menu card where the customer can always find something to their liking or if it some one like me, can have pav bhaji and pizza in the same restaurant and not compromise on the flavor. I say this because many a local restaurants serve pizza but you definitely do not want to have them from there for obvious reasons. Stick to the items they are known for. Well, back to Bombay Blues, this might not have been my first visit to the place, but it is very rare that I drop in here but whenever I do, I feel satisfied and wonder why don't I come here more often. Probably because there are way too many places I want to drop by and less time and the income factor a wee bit. A lot actually.

This one is located in Market City and Market City is becoming popular for its food joints as many popular names are easily available under their roof. As soon as we arrived we were seated in a place for two and the waiter attending to us realized our disappointment pretty quickly. We were loaded with shopping bags you see, and even though we were two, I always find more comfort sitting in a place for 4 because the amount of food we order does not fit on a table for 2! So even though the manager asked us if we would like to be seated elsewhere, we thought let it be. But we had to be moved eventually when our food arrived because the table was way too crowded and the manager might have been thinking, how can two girls eat this much! :P :P The interiors of this place is painted in hues of blue and yellow, adding color to the place and I don't know how many people believe this but I have always said that color plays a major role on improving your mood. They also have little elements of wood added on one side lending a sophisticated feel. We ended up sitting at the high bar stools, which was where we originally were headed for and unlike most bar stools where I find them to be uncomfortable, these were not so and could enjoy my meal in complete peace.

We started off with ordering 2 starters and 2 mock tails. I guess, by now anybody and everybody who has been reading my page, will know my obsession with iced teas. If you don't laanat hai tumpe :P . I shall behave myself. Yes, I ordered an iced tea and one that I had not tasted or heard of before this. Butterscotch Flavour! and I completely relished it for that matter. My cousin who was accompanying me on the day had a Blue Breeze which was delish and something that we had never tasted before. When ordering mock tails, I have always found that they are similar in taste as such. Where as both the drinks ordered here was something I had not tasted before. So impressed I am. Moreover when the Starters arrived, especially the Chicken Tenders, I was surprised with the sized of the pieces. I had expected to see small nugget sized pieces and it would have been acceptable as well as that is how I find it in most restaurants around town. However, they were generous in size and portion here. The same goes for the Fries that we ordered. They were mexican in flavour with salsa, cheese and the likes. I need to get over my obsession with everything cheese (I will soon tell you about the time I had cheese on rice!! :D) Though these were not the best fries I have had, I like my fries to be fat, soft and crispy, the kind that come from MC Can, rather than long, thin and crispy. But even then, they went well with the chicken and made a good accompaniment. Since the chicken pieces were huge, we were half full by the end of the starters and even though still hungry, we decided we will first order just 1 more item off the menu and then if still we feel like we could have more, only then order. We were confused between the Sizzlers and the Pizza. Bombay Blue serves mean Pizzas. I happen to love them. But on the other hand they had a Sizzler Festival On where they had introduced several new sizzlers from Mexican to Italian to even Indian, and it was tempting to try it out. But in the end due to my cousin's insistence the Pizza Won and we Ordered the Bombay Blue Favorite Pizza which has all the meat available on the planet in it. I have always sort of complained as to how it does not make much of a difference if you order Veg or Non Veg Pizza. The major reason behind this is that they say Non-Veg and add 5-6 small bits of Chicken to it. However, over here, the Pizza, at least this one is loaded with meat and that too of all varieties - from seek kabab to small fried chicken bits and chicken Salami and what not. Oh, yes, it was indeed cheesy ( Refer Pic to believe it) Now that is how a Pizza is supposed to look like! We were too full by the end of the meal and decided to go against anything more. But I will definitely go back for their Sizzlers, I don't just like trying new places, but also the new introductions to the menu. So hopefully, I should be able to go back. But like I say too many places on my list and too less time! :)

So be it a good or bad day, you will always be greeted with a warm welcome at this place and they will always find a place for you. Head here, for good times! 

WHAT WE HAD - Fries Mexicana

                           Crispy Chicken Tenders 

                           Bombay Blue Favorite Pizza

                           Blue Breeze Mock Tail

                           Butter Scotch Iced Tea

DAMAGES - Rs 1500/- Approx

WHERE - Bombay Blue, S 22, 2nd Floor, Phoenix Market City, LBS Marg, Bandra Kurla Complex( Actually Vidya Vihar, but God knows why the say BKC! :/), Mumbai

DUNKIN DONUTS, MUMBAI

Dunkin Donuts arrived in Mumbai with much hype and hoopla and I was one among the many who had signed up to be there on the first day. Unfortunately, due to work commitments I couldn't be a part of it. But I made it a point to be there in the first week itself. How couldn't I? I have been waiting forever for a good donut place, not that MOD is bad, but well, if you have had the privilege of growing up in the west or Middle East, you will understand the difference.

The big question is whether it matched up to the expectations built up partly by them and partly by me with the name they carry in other parts of the world. The answer to that is No. Trust me, it pains to say it. But it is the truth. Is it good? Definitely yes. But growing up in Bahrain, I can't help but compare it to the ones I have had there, and I always end up making the comparison. Yes, I know everybody says its catering to a different segment, the market is different. All I know is when ever I have made my mom smuggle donuts from me across the 7 seas, and my extended family/ friends who have had the luck of trying them out have the same thing to say - Where have these been all my life. And when I say, something is good, it means it is good. Similarly, when I say its not the same, It is definitely not the same. 

Well, yes, It doesn't mean I won't be dropping by the place. I most definitely will. It just means I will still miss the donuts I have had from home. Now, for the real thing. Well, I did love the place, the white walls, the colorful sofas and seating arrangement. Its class meeting Funk. ( I didn't know how else to put it :P). So one could hold a business meeting with a client here, and maybe in another corner a couple could be romancing away, while you might find a group of friends laughing their time away. What it means, its a place for everybody which is what I liked most about it. That anybody and everybody can feel at home here. ( Well, not literally home. :P )

Coming to the food, we ordered a lot of different stuff. And if I had to say overall, the food hits the right note. I loved their Bagel burger ( I will come here more for this, I think ;) ). They have a lot of options in burgers, which is points to them because even MC Donalds fails in variety. However, stay away from the Jalepeno chicken Sandwich. I didn't like it or rather it was just strictly okay and it was a recommendation from the server, so I think their servers need to know what to recommend. The rest of the stuff was good and well applauded by me as well as my companions including the spiked iced tea which I have had for the first time ( An iced tea, that I have not had before? That's a first :P ). It has a spicy tinge to it. 

Finally, the one thing I would want to mention is they need to really really increase the fillings in their donuts. I was let down in this department, as after finishing of more than half the donut I could see signs of any filling and I was waiting impatiently for the custard filling one as MOD doesn't offer this and it is my ALL TIME FAVORITE. at Dunkin Donuts, Phoenix Market City, Kurla.

WHAT WE HAD - Tough Guy Chicken Bagel Burger ( Star of the Day)

                         Pepper Chicken Burger ( Applause)

                         Chicken Jalapeno Sandwich ( Just Pass)

                         Hash Browns ( Hittum Hit!)

                         Caramel Butter Scotch Shake ( Praiseworthy!_

                         Spiked Ice Tea ( Surprise Hit!)

                         Fruit Berry Smoothie ( Hit! )

                         Cinnamon Flavored Classic Donut ( The Best of the Lot)

                         Classic Donut ( Appreciated)

                         Custard Filling Donut ( More on the filling Please, and softer 

dough needed)

                         Alive By chocolate ( Again, Same as before)

DAMAGES - Rs 1500 Approx ( Only, because we had a lot to eat)

WHERE - Pheonix Market City, L.B.S Marg, Kurla (W), Mumbai

RAJDHANI, PHOENIX MARKET CITY

I think the concept of such places was brought forward especially for people like me, who want to have EVERYTHING!! :P :P 

This place is already quite famous and is well know for its Traditional Thalis. There are way too many items put on your plate and if you are a true blue bhukkad like me, you wouldn't know where to start, what to eat first. And trust me, I don't even remember half the dishes name that were served, thats how many varieties they serve, that even I couldn't keep track, just keep saying yes, to everything they serve, because everything is bursting with flavours of all kind. 

The thing that impressed me most was that when you sit down, they automatically bring this traditional copper kind of jar and let your wash your hands on the spot ( wish i had got a capture of that) giving you that maharaja feel. ( I am in awe of the Jodha- Akbar Times ).

I am very confused about what do I mention about the food but here is my attempt to recall it all. The starters are like dal-bati-churma, the dhokla and a kind of kachori. There were 4-5 different types of rotis, and I dont even remember the names except for the bajra one. All I know is it all tastes good. Then the gujarati dal, the kadi both of which had a sweet tinge to it. chane ki sabzi, aloo, palak - all yum. Special mention to the paneer - because well its PANEER:D. Also, I loved the khichadi and the amount if ghee they serve you with it. I am not a khichadi fan, but I would be licking my fingers if it was not a sophisticated restaurant. Did I mention the Aamras??? Mango nectar in a bowl, what could be bad about it and my first mango of the season. The star of the meal was however the doodhi ka halwa. I have never had this before unfortunately, and for some reason doodhi and halwa seemed like a very odd combination to me, though I have heard about it. But I would very happily tell you how very wrong I was. Because I had 3 servings of this, even though by now I was so full. Finally, to wash it all down, the Butter milk aka Chhas! 

So if like me, you like to have a little or a lot of everything, this is the place to GO!! 

WHERE - Rajdhani, Level 2, Pheonix Market City, Kurla (W), MUMBAI (There are others in different part of the city)

DAMAGES - Rs 800 Approx ( we were 2)