LEOPOLD CAFE, Colaba
Leopold's, always been famous, and had been even more so after the Terrorist Attacks in November 2008. This is one place that is not just on my bucket list, but on probably everyone who sets foot in Amchi Mumbai. And Yet. Yet, I didn't make it here in 5 whole years of my stay in Mumbai. Sometimes you are so busy searching for something around you, that you do not see what is staring you right in the face. Like Seriously! Its right there, in front of you and you look everywhere but not in your own home. Is it me or does it sound like I am referring to a lover/Boyfriend who was always there?!! :/ Well, Leopold is exactly that. How many times have I passed by this place, not giving it a second glance, telling myself, too overcrowded and overhyped. I realize what a fool I had been, all this time.
Christmas is when I finally made it here, and you know what, there is no better time than christmas to be here. The place looks so full of energy and vibrant and it's addictive, maybe it was the spirit of christmas in the air, or probably not, because you don't exactly hear loud music and a bar full of people talking over each other on christmas eve. You think of gospels and choir and Santa Claus. But it is still christmasy, for lack of a better word. Truly? It reminds you of a typical bar scenario in England. I talk as if I have been to all these places, where as I havn't been beyond the lines of Maharashtra and probably a few others. But think Bar in England, and I am almost sure this would be the image that would have sprung to your mind as well. For this, I love it. Its been a long time since I have been to a place, where I have felt that I had been transported to another era/foreign lands etc. Its these little facts that add to the overall experience of a place.
I have to say kudos for the service, especially since on such a busy night, I didn't find myself waiting for more than 15 minutes. Initially, standing in that queue, I had seriously thought this is going to take up an hour. But it didn't! That in itself was a good start, I could not have been complaining otherwise as well if you have a look at how crowded the place actually is! They have made use of small tables, and have almost left no space between tables, crowded, but works efficiently for them. Your server is at your table every 15 minutes, just to keep a check if you need to make any more orders etc, so that is a good trick in their bag. Else, you would end up waiting for half an hour or even more for someone to show up, that's how noisy and crowded the place is. Noisy, it might be, but in the "Let set the Mood" way.
If you have recently read my reviews, you would have also read, how I have been looking for places that offer something more to me in taste and flavor. Things have started to become repetitive, in terms of ambience, menu, etc etc. I understand that you can't create something new on a regular basis and a lot of the items on the menu are infact going to be repeated. But a place should still have something that creates a distinction, this place has that. The only regret I have is that, why. why did I eat anything else before stepping here, as I had had a quick small burger 3 hours prior and had been to an ice-cream parlour as well. So all in all, I wish, I hadn't done that. Then, I could have had more food rather than just sharing a starter and one main course split three ways. For beginners we had the BBQ Chicken, and generally the BBQ chicken served in most places is chicken wings smothered with BBQ Sauce. Here, it was not so, it had BBQ sauce, but it wasn't just BBQ. I am not exactly great at identifying flavors/ingredients, in that am a rookie. But this is what I was saying when I said I want to have something different, not fried pieces of chicken dipped in BBQ sauce or something along the lines. I have had so much of these kind, that even though I enjoy it, I am not satisfied. I am looking for more. Here, I found that more. Another thing, that I have to point out is that thank you for giving those cucumber with dressing on the side. Most places just cut up beet-root, and cabbage and serve it up, which most of the times, goes uneaten. Here, I wanted more of that as well. The servings is the third thing. Its good. One Starter can easily be split 3 ways. For the mains, we ordered the grilled beef steak with pepper sauce. Even though I like beef, I find it to be really heavy and easily filling, which is I have it on rare occasions or eat from someone else's plate :P. The steak was good, however the mashed potatoes were a slight disappointment as it felt to be lacking. It felt more Indian Aloo ka Bharta, which is boiled and mashed potatoes sprinkled with salt, and a few condiments than the Original Mashed Potatoes. One thing, I have always wondered is how do people in the west eat their meals without some form of bread/rice on the side. The Hindustani in me is never satisfied till I have had something on the side, even if it is a piece of bread. You know that kuch toh missing hai feeling!! Yes, That. and mashed potatoes, though good, is not that. So to all the Angrez out there, how do you not eat rice/bread on like a daily basis?! Out of plain curiosity. We had four iced teas between three on the side as I am lucky enough to find people who love eating and not drinking as much.
All I can say is, don't be an idiot as I happen to be. Remember, some places are said to be legendary for a reason. The reason here is the vibe that this place has, its magic, you have to be there to truly feel it. The food definitely helps! I look forward to dropping in again. Sooner rather than Later. You definitely should too!
WHAT WE HAD - Iced Teas (Lemon, PeaPeach, Cranberry - We had it ALL. YUM!)
Barbecue Chicken (More is Less!)
Grilled Beef Steak with Pepper Sauce (Yum's the Word)
DAMAGES - Rs 1400/- (Approx)
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