The sassy spoon, Mumbai

THE SASSY SPOON, Bandra

Once in a while, impromptu meets is just what you need. Some times you plan, plan and plan some more, but nothing happens and then other times you don't plan and everything falls into place. I had been meaning to meet a close friend for a pretty long time, but due to work and so many other reasons which seem irrelevant now it kept getting delayed and one fine day, one phone call and we headed to the Sassy Spoon. Co-incidentally, this place had been on both our lists and needed a companion to pay visit to the place. All this while, I guess, I never made it here was probably because It was meant for us. I sound so mushy but you feel so, when you meet one of your closest buddies after such a long gap and also wonder, how did we lose touch??!! I do not know the answer but I do realize that it is at the end of the day up to us. 

My initial interest was in visiting the Churchgate location and not the Bandra one, but then this was more convenient as Bandra is nearer and both of us didn't wish to travel by train. As a rule, on holidays I refuse to travel by public transport i.e. trains and buses, I do so enough in the week. Also, note that this friend of mine has a tendency to be late, she is going to kill me for saying this but on most occasions I have always waited a real-long time for her to arrive and as is the custom she was fashionable late here as well, so our meal was more after-lunch and pre-supper. But the wait was worth it, the food was worth it at the end. So I forgave her for the occasion considering she had very graciously decided to treat me on the day. :P

The place is nothing short of magical. No, seriously, its quite a wonder such a pretty looking place is situated in Mumbai. The place reminds me of Spring in Canada, it reminded me of what it would be like to take a stroll in the parks during spring in Canada. I have never been to Canada but from what I see of my best friend's pictures, the backdrop, it reminds me of that. It reminds me of my best friend. The place is divided into an in-door seating and an out-door one. The out-doors is also not really out-doors as such, the inside has a more quirky fine-dine touch to it while the outside is designed like a cafe. It is this side that reminded me of spring in Canada.

The one thing, that they get full-points in is service. There are very few places that has near perfect service and from that you can understand how much attention has been paid to service as well as in training the staff. From the moment you enter the place to the point you exit, they make sure you are comfortable and they speak so politely that you feel that you are getting some extra attention. One little incident that I can relay is when we asked one of the staff members to take a photo of me and my friend, he had gone ahead and suggested that what back-drop would make for a better picture. Also, even though I was waiting for almost 45 minutes, without placing any real order, they were in no hurry to send me out and probably give the place to somebody else. So many small little things which connects you to the place and is truly appreciated. 

You know, for a change, my friend had done more research on the place than I had and was more aware of what to order from the place. I have always said that how much ever great a place is, you should know what to order and what not, that makes quite a difference in your perception of the place. So today, it was she who placed the orders more or less, rather than me except for the Very Berry Khatta, which is a mock-tail that I had ordered whilst waiting for her. The mock-tail is nothing but Kala-Khatta served in a fancy way. Apparently, this is also one of the specials at the place. I actually agree, even though it is Kala-Khatta it is still something and you would agree too if you tried it. For starters we ordered Cajun Spiced Butter Garlic Prawns, which according to me was the winner on the day, this is something that I had not tried before at any other place, and soaked in spice and oil, I would compare it to the Butter Garlic Fish I had had ages ago in Goa. I have searched all corners, but I have never found the same flavor anywhere yet and I really hope I can have it again before I die! :PAakhri Khwaish types. The taste was very different, but when I say I can compare it, I mean it is that delicious! Next we were going to order the main course, but due to over-sight we ended up ordering 1 main-course and an extra appetizer. This is what happens when you order without looking properly at the menu. I was supposed to order the flat-bread, but I didn't see the heading on top and realized that what I had ordered was an appetizer and not toppings for the flat bread. :/ No regrets though, because we had the flat bread and the appetizer as well then. So first came the Harissa Chicken Skewers and Brown Rice Paella with beans, olives, grilled artichokes and what not. The Chicken Skewers is something I have actually tried at various places, so there are no surprises as to what the taste should be like but yes they were as good a match as to the rest of the place I have tried it in. The brown rice paella is simply put a type of risotto. I have mentioned this before that risotto is something of an acquired taste, especially if you are from this side of the world, mainly India. We are used to long-thin Basmati rice and takes time for us to get used to Italian Rice that too soaked in gravy. I however, enjoy it if the flavor is right. I hadn't liked it the first place I had tried it in, but since then I have realized that pay close attention the to the ingredients used, which would give you a fair idea of what it will taste like. I have been successful since then, and pretty much enjoy it as well. Next comes the flat bread, ordered with sour cherry alfredo with garlic chicken and caramelized onions. This truly is a specialty of the place. The Flat Bread was almost perfect, with the right amount of cheese, chicken and onions. The cheese was neither too much nor so heavy that you would be left feeling heavy. Even the sour cherry in the bread, lends flavor and is something I have never tried before. All in all, I would say its almost a tie between the prawns and the flat-bread, the prawns is declared the winner by a very small margin. Let me tell you, it is not easy choosing between cheese and bread, but I had to make this extremely tough decision and so I did. Finally, for some dessert, we ordered just one sourcherry cheese cake shared between us both. Hats off. Seriously. You can taste the freshness in each component that had gone into making this beautiful li'l thing, so fresh that it felt like it had come directly from the gardens. The cheese didn't feel heavy as it generally does when you are having a cheese-cake, it was soft, fluffy and light. The presentation? simple but effective, firing up the hunger in your eyes. :P

Why should you visit this place? Why would you not is more like it??!! The place is a little heavy on your pocket, but you will not regret a dime spent here. So if nothing, then guys and girls, take your girl-friends out here and you will come out more than just satisfied!

WHAT WE HAD - Very Berry Khatta (2) - Very Berry Delicious

                           Cajun Spiced Butter Garlic Prawns - (Star DIsh)

                           Harissa Chicken Skewers (Perfection Achieved) 

                           Brown Rice Paella ( Yum some more!)

                           Sour Cherry Alfredo Chicken Flat bread - (Extraordinaire)

                           Sour cherry Cheese cake (Perfect end to a perfect meal)

DAMAGES - Rs 3100/- Approx (We were 2)

WHERE - The Sassy Spoon, Bandra., Classic Corner Building, Next to Holy Family Hospital, Hill Road, Bandra (W), MUMBAI