Loaded, Mumbai

LOADED - The Dessert Bistro, Bandra

My week days are full of cravings for food (not that I don't eat!) and my weekends are so full of finger licking food, Friday through Sunday, that all I can think of is khichdi, dal-chawal on a Monday. Note, I said Monday because by Tuesday I am back craving for some Chicken Tikka, some Cheese cake, some Chinese and some Italian. Basically Everything! But even that Dal Chawal on a Monday is devoured so lovingly by me that my colleagues generally tell me, it looks like you are having Chicken Tikka Biryani Instead (Current Craving - Chicken Tikka Biryani, if you were wondering!). So last week's major cravings were for some red velvet crepes. There is so much red-velvet everywhere now that it isn't all that difficult finding a place that fulfills this particular desire of mine.

The Dessert Bistro is so small and hidden away, that unless and until you did indeed know of this place and had done some search in advance, you would probably not see it as you pass by. Or, you get lost an wound up here. Or maybe both. The place is as tiny as small bedroom in 1BHK flat. Four tables with a seating capacity of 12 people at one time. They have tried to make the place more welcoming, but the bright mango yellow is just a little too bright for my taste. Otherwise there is nothing much to write about, minimal and simple is what it is. The place is clean, tidy and hygienic is what pops to my mind. It is not a cafe and not a restaurant. It truly does look like a pop-up restaurant, where one part of your home has been reinvented into a restaurant.

The service is prompt, there is no going out of the way and all of that. Also, I guess it is not needed. It functions like a fast food restaurant where in you place your order, it is delivered in 5-10 minutes, eat and leave. That's how the place works from and if that is the case then they are doing well. However, if they are looking to really be a "dessert bistro" then there is a lot of catching up to do, but then for that to happen, they will need to rework their entire set up from what it is currently. I don't see that happening but I would love to be proved wrong. I would definitely not mind being proved wrong, especially since there are restaurants which are as small as this one and yet their hospitality is at another level (Read Twistie's in Thane, Imbiss in Bandra & Villa Vandre).

Now here, where it truly matters I would give them high points. The desserts which you come here for. Their menu is one of the most extensive and the wonderful combinations leave you boggled. You want to have this and you also want to have that and then what about that! I was intent on having the red velvet crepes since that was why I had stepped in here, but even then reading it all, I almost changed my order. Almost. I decided to stick with the red velvet, else, I know I would go home and want them again. A good thing too. I love crepes and I love red velvet and the combination is just made for each other. It would be difficult to go back to other sweet crepes after this one. Also, it might not look filling, but it definitely is. The red velvet crepes is filled with chocolate brownie and topped with condensed milk and white chocolate shaving, also served with ice cream. If it wern't for the brownie it would not have been that heavy. A fun idea - I would like some one to serve cheese cake instead of brownie, I believe it would make a wonderful combination and also raise the flavors by a notch. My sister, who accompanied me to this place because sweet is to her what honey is to bee went for their White Chocolate & Brownie Sandwich. Another heavenly treat. Butter, Brownie, white chocolate ganache and frankly after the first bite you are so lost - All you keep repeating is - "Hmmm...Yumm.." and other noises which would make strangers look to you with a raised eyebrow wondering what the hell is happening here. But then You and I know, if a food is able to stir those feelings in you, you don't need anything or anyone else ;) :P

Will I be back here? Yeh bhi koi poochne ki baat hai. MOST DEFINITELY. Pick it up on your way home, get it home delivered or just grab a bite here while passing through, you will want to come back!!

WHAT WE HAD - Red Velvet Crepe (OH-MY-GOD-YUM!)

                        White Chocolate & Brownie Sandwich (OH-MY-GOODNESS YUM)

DAMAGES - Rs 350/- (Approx) Tax Free!!

WHERE -  Loaded - The Dessert Bistro., Shop 2, Ground Floor, Pankaj CHS Ltd, Plot 21/D, Nr. Ambedkar Statue, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Khar (W), MUMBAI