Opa Bar & Cafe, Mumbai

OPA BAR & CAFE, Santacruz

For a change, this was a discovery by a friend and not me. Also, I have to grudgingly admit that she did a darn well job of it, even more so than me.(I wish it was me who had suggested this place!) The only doubt, I had in my mind?? Will this group even like this cuisine. I love this cuisine. It's probably my favorite after what my mom whips up. You have got to be partial to "Maa ke Haath ka Khana", ask any kid who stays away from home and my "murder" (that's how I refer to her, murder and baap, there is more love in those than ever would be in Ammi Jaan and Abbu Jaan) is incredible when it comes to cooking. She could take part in Masterchef India (I am realistic enough and wouldn't say Masterchef Australia :P). I was talking about cuisine. The Cuisine here comprises of delicacies from the Gulf/ the Arab World. Now you know why I said second favorite - Food From the Homeland. Also, this place has sheesha (Bless the Govt for uplifting the ban on at least something instead of placing bans, for a change)

Arrive here early, as post 8 pm, it will be difficult to find a place and since it is a sheesha lounge, you will not find people moving out for hours so it would be a long-long wait! The ambience? You should ask for from my sister, as when I had tried describing it to her, her exact words "I asked you in general how the place and you haven't shut up for 15 minutes straight!" One of those places that impressed me in the first look, and I was already looking forward after glancing through online. The place borrows from the whole Arabian Nights look and feel, the date palm trees, the couches, even the fabric covering the couches, the curtained seating areas. It was as if, only for a night, I was in an Arabian City. (I really need to go home :( )

The only slight issue we faced, was getting attention from the attending staff, there was shortage of staff from what I felt, because from what I could see there was one guy who was managing half the place (and this place is huge!). I have gotten so used to this at so many places now, that I have adjusted to it and that's bad. Service is of essence and there cannot be a compromise in it. Yet, the more places I visit, the more I realize there is a huge gap in this particular area. 

The most important of it all - the food. We started off with a cold mezze platter, and this is one particular item to which I had my doubts. Not towards whether or not, it would be made well but rather would it be accepted well on the table. You either like it or you don't, since the mezze platter comes with dips which is very different from the chutneys etc the indian taste buds are accustomed to it. Though, I wouldn't say it was a huge success, I would say that I in particular did enjoy it and the rest were more lenient towards the Baba Ghanoush and Labneh Dip then the others. Served with Pita Bread, pickled veggies (I have a soft corner for pickled veggies, and was disappointed that they didn't give the pickled cucumbers which is customary) and some types of chips (for lack of a better word). I would recommend for you to try it, but if not you could do what the others on our table did - make Pita Pockets. One of my friends is even better than me in fusion (fusion food), and we had ordered a salad - chargrilled zucchini, puy lentils and spiced Halloumi Salad. Pita pockets were made with putting spoonfuls of this salad, adding the various dips and then gobbling it up. The salad on its own, simply put was not my cup of tea. I avoid salads, not really my thing. This had lentils, boiled lentils, all the more not my thing, but it blended extremely well with the Pita Bread and dip, and is a falafel on its own. Well, not falafel, but you get an idea. Next what we had ordered from the menu was the Moroccan Filo Cups and the Pita Sliders. The Moroccan Filo Cups were an instant hit - cups made of thin puff pastry (the kind that is used in Bakhlava, if you know bakhlava, if you don't, you need to have it!) and filled with vegetables/cheese. We took the veg variant as always we had more vegetarians on the table than the other way round (It's a conspiracy I feel like. We need more non-vegetarians!). I couldn't live without ordering at least something in the non veg, so we had ordered one veg and one non-veg pita sliders. Served with Tahina Sauce, I am in love with these. Giving a twist to the Western Burger sliders, served with Pita bread. These really were my favorite, or a close second favorite. The vegetarian one was a type of falafel and that is all i can tell you as I didn't bother try it. :P Next we had ordered was the Kabsa, we had ordered two and both in Veg, :'(. I wish I had the non-veg one. However, I have to say that I was in love with this and that is why I had actually ordered a second one. The taste was as authentic as it gets and the Raita type dip served along with it just increased the taste by a notch. We had also ordered for a Pink Pasta in Non-Veg and I wish this one I had ordered in Veg, but not all my decisions are wise. No, there was absolutely nothing wrong with the Pasta, infact the sauce was a perfect blend of white and Red, and would again be a recommendation, if you want to have something that is not well an Arab type food. The only reason I wish I had ordered in veg was so, I could have ordered a non-veg in the Kabsa! :D I think I am little obsessed with the Kabsa, well, more than little.

Since this place has Sheesha/Hookah, we obviously had to have a round of that, and we went for the grape mint. I would rather not speak on this, but to each his own. ;) Also, if you are looking for a nice refreshing mock tail,instead of ordering from their menu, create a concoction of your own, or take inspiration from what my friend had ordered - mixture of lemonade with soda, no extra sugar with mint and ginger. Sugarless, and Ah-mazing! I think that is the reason why he probably ordered it, go sugar-free, but I really didn't even realize it till I asked him later on what was it that "we" ordered. We because, after having a sip, I immediately went - I will have what he is having. :D

I have been doing unpaid advertising among my circle since my visit to this place. So that should tell you how highly I think of the place, and though I don't know when I will be back again, I am going to keep telling you to pay a visit and then go - Didn't I tell You??!!. 

WHAT WE HAD - Cold Mezze Platter (Yum!)

                           Moroccan Filo Cups (Yum!Yum!)

                           Non-Veg Pita Slider (Yum!Yum!)

                           Veg Pita Slider (Yum!)

                           Veg Kabsa*2 (Delightful)

                           Pink Pasta - Non Veg (Yum*Yum)

                           Lemon Soda Mocktail (Refreshing)

                           Breezer - Assorted (I don't even drink Redbull!! :P)

                           Grape-mint Sheesha (Me likes!)

DAMAGES - Rs 6000/- Approx ( We Were 5, it would be 5k without the sheesha!)

WHERE - Opa Bar & Café., 7th Floor, Hotel Peninsula Grand, Opp. Sakinaka Metro Station, Sakinaka, MUMBAI

SUFRA, MUMBAI

I had across this while shopping in Colaba and was actually heading to Theobroma which is in the same lane. The cafe looked interesting and upon seeing that it was by Moshes and that it served Arabian Cuisine, perked up my interest in it. Next I knew, as soon as I reached home I did a search and my joy to know they serve Kabsa! I have not heard Kabsa in a really long time. So my joy didn'tknow any boundaries and well, it was decided I just have to head here. 

Though I had first laid sight on the place on Colaba, they had one in Bandra as well and since it would be more convenient to head here I went here rather than the Colaba one. Though now I wish, I had gone to the Colaba one. It seemed more comfortable. Reason being, as soon as we entered here, we couldn't spot any seating and were told we would have to first place our orders and pay for our meals and only then we can go upstairs. I wish I had seen the upstairs. The upstairs is basically big enough to fit one single bed with chairs on either sides. That Tiny and also with what so ever no ventilation, forget an air conditioner and as you know the weather is taking a turn. A turn where its dry and humid at the same time. There is just one wall fan which is actually a table fan but you won't even feel the air if you are sitting at the other end which we were. And Icing on the cake will be when in this cramped space there is a loud group occupying the space near to you. I have no issue with the loudness. It happens when you are with your close buddies. But in this little space, it gets to be annoying because it feels like you can-not make any conversation. What I mean to say is they need to improve on this aspect. No Ventilation + Cramped Up Seating + Loud People does not make a great combination. Who Knew that right?! 

I can't really talk much about the service since their part I believe is to only take orders and ensure it reaches the guests. The upstairs is more like a Balcony I would say. My Balcony might be bigger than that. But we had already places our orders and I did actually want t eat some authentic Arabian Cuisine, so we concentrated on just that. So we placed order for Hummus with Chicken, Kabsa and Roast Chicken. The Hummus is a fine paste as it should be and honestly the best hummus I have had in Mumbai. I have had at varied places but this has to be the best of the lot. This is a very signature and staple dish found in the gulf and not so easy to remake. Yet, full points to them as I was literally licking my fingers off. Word of Caution though - Hummus requires acquired taste, because in my experience I have found that the friends that I have made in India do not like it much. If you do, I love you already. :) Next was the Kabsa, which came with a cauliflower paste (sauce) and Arabian style chilies that were pickled. Again Full Points and this is one dish that my friend who had accompanied us and who has not had Arabian cuisine before liked. More than just liked. she devoured it. Her first reaction was that this looks like an ordinary biryani, but the moment she had her first bite, her reaction told me that it is not like a Biryani. A Biryani and Kabsa are as different as a frankie and a Shawarma. While both have their own distinct flavors, it is just not the same. Finally, the Roast Chicken. This was love at first bite. I have not had such good chicken in a really really and I mean really long time. It was slow cooked and you can just feel that when the flavors mingle in your mouth. Like it was roasted slowly letting all the spices sink in and exactly tot he right extent. Many a times I find that when you say Roast Chicken, it is assumed to be bland and without any flavour. This was not the case here. So if I had to rate them on the Food. It would be Full Marks because I can still feel the taste lingering in my mouth and the craving to go back. We had it with coke because no authentic Arabian meal is complete without one Habibi! Okay, I went over a little over board there but you understand my sentiments.

Word of Advice - Go HERE! Just That, and if like me you mind the cramped up seating, order for a Take-Away. But do not miss this place. Arabian Cuisine at its best. 

WHAT WE HAD - Hummus With Chicken Topping (To Die For!)

                           Kabsa ( I just Died and Went to heaven)

                           Roast Chicken (Seventh Heaven!)

DAMAGES - Rs 750/- (Approx including 2 soft drinks)

WHERE -

Sufra 

Next to Oceanic Building, Carter Road, Bandra (W), Mumbai

PICCADILLY, MUMBAI

My Lebanese Heaven is what I like to call it. The only place that has come close to make me feel like I am having meals from my homeland and I am missing it a tad bit more as my sister is holidaying there where as I am slogging off over here. *sigh* 

There was a time, when I dropped into this place twice a week at least if not more. My hostel was located in Churchgate and it was hardly a 20 minute walk or 15 Rs of Cab-drive away and I was such a regular that everyone recognized me and my group of friends and if we didn't show-up for 4 days in a row, they would tell us on the next visit, that its been a long time. I have only ever been to such places with my parents where every one would recognize you including the manager. This is mainly because they stick to their regular hang-outs. Hang-outs is such a funny word when using it for your parents, but I couldn't for the moment think of another word. :P But its the little joys of the world when your favorite restaurant knows and remembers you to the extent where they serve your drink in a taller glass then the usual because they know you love it! :D

This place has been here forever. I don't at the moment remember the specific year as such. But I guess 100 years would not be an exaggeration. or somewhere near it. Most of the places located in Colaba generally is. So this place holds an old world charm and is also designed like many local Iranian restaurants that you would find in my hometown with sprinkles of the Indian Victorian Era. This place is not some fancy fine-dine or a lounge or does not have any extra-ordinary interiors. But like I said its designed as a local Iranian meet Victorian Era coffee shops, where you would find a lot of localites. Atleast, in my hometown you would, Over here, its brimming with tourists. One of those rare places after all that serve authentic Lebanese food. Most places have glamorized it. It doesn't mean I do not like those other places, but it is like Mumbai is known for its Vada Pav, No one makes biryani like the Hyderabadi, Idli-Sambhar like the Keralites (Please, the rest of South India, don't take offence :) ). In a similar fashion, the origin of the many variants of Shawarma that you find in other parts of the world is the Gulf Region. No one makes it like them and no one can. But this place, does it. Also, remember that Shawarma served in different parts of the Middle East as such varies as well. 

If you are lucky, you will find yourself to be seated at the only and also my favorite window seat. I think I could spend hours in this spot. Overlooking the colaba market, it is some view. No it does not over look some sea, or bridge or anything of the likes. But it holds some sort of black magic, I would say, that you feel like a web of magic has been spun around you. Don't ask me why. 

Since this particular day was a sunday, and this angrezi looking tourist had already occupied the place, I had to make peace with sitting up stairs and to my disappointment, these two were seated long after I had left and they had come in way before us!-_- But like I said, you won't feel like getting out of that spot so soon. Since my friend had not tried this cuisine before, I had to take every precaution possible including telling her repeatedly that this will not be spicy AT ALL. The thing about this cuisine is that, either you will love it or dis-like it, no in between but the Shawarma? You will L-O-V-E it. If you don't, there must be something really wrong with you on so many different levels. I am sorry but get yourself checked because even my vegetarian friends over the years have loved their Paneer and Falafel Variants. Falafel is another speciality of the middle-east. Okay, back to business, So we ordered 1 Shawarma and two iced tea for starting off. Since, I was in a mood to try out different things as well, we ordered just one because these shawarmas if had just two can be really heavy! We next ordered the Lebanese Barbeque Chicken Kabab which is served with khuboos (Pita Bread) and some pickled cucumbers and beet roots. I love the pickled purlish cucumbers, I could finish it all off. In fact, I always do and me and my friends even order for more. They also serve you a side of Tahina which is a kind of mayonnaise and hummus . You will love the Tahina but only if you have grown up in the middle east will you realize the beauty of the hummus. Another specialty of the Kababs here is that unlike the Indian Kababs, they are not spicy at all and yet are so full of flavor and juices and it tastes really different from the ones you have in India. We also placed and order for Chicken Fajitas which is a gravy which has a sweet side to it. But pair it up with buttered rice and you will not feel disappointed. It is another regular item that I order on every other visit. We also had a refill on the iced tea. Let me tell you, it is this place where my addiction to Iced Teas began. Need I say more??!!

So the guys out there, when you take your girls next for a shopping spree for some street side shopping, rejuvenate with some delicious shawarmas and iced teas in this little space snuck in the lanes of Colaba. 

WHAT WE HAD - Chicken Shawarma ( This is my Favorite Food on the planet, need I say more??!!) 

                            Lebanese Barbeque Chicken Kabab ( I louuvee Kababs)

                            Chicken Fajitas ( Yumminess)

                            Hummus ( You can either love it or hate it, I love it!)

                            Tahina ( You cannot not like it!)

                          Pita Bread/ Khuboos ( Judge it by the melt-in-mouth feel and it totally is)

Iced Teas

Damages - Rs 900/- Approx ( We were 2 on the day)

WHERE - Piccadilly Restaurant, Donald House, Opp. Electric House, Colaba Causeway, Colaba

CHIKITA CAFE, MUMBAI

The wonders of Colaba Causeway is never ending. Every time, I visit here, I discover a new eatery. This time, it was Chikita Cafe. Even though this place is one of the oldest restaurants in the area, it had closed shop. But is back in action (which is why I probably missed it, when I was residing nearby a while ago).

If you want to keep the tummy & the wallet happy at the same time. Well, this should be added to your "go-to" list then. They have limited and basic menu in terms of offerings but I am not complaining, because I had a mexican appetizer (nachos), then the chikka tikka hummus ( Lebanese) and Pasta ( Italiano baby!). So what reason does one have to complain??!! I have grown up in the middle east, so I am very very particular about the Lebanese food served, and if its not right, its not right. But I have got to say, like most of the other times where I always end up saying, " I shouldn't have ordered this". Here, I went "I am so glad I ordered this and the chicken tikka spread out in the hummus, just adds to the flavor.

Yes, I have had better nachos and better pastas, in other places, in the price range, it was worth it. The cheese spread on the nachos was what made me go ga-ga on the otherwise plain nachos ( Any thing that has cheese, can never ever be bad - Its the law :P). The sauce in the pasta was a little thin than my general preference but, it no where affected the taste and my friend was savoring even the last drop of the sauce, so I just can't bring myself to say anything even remotely negative about it. 

Overall, its the perfect place to hang out with your friends after college or after coming out or the theatre ( Regal cinema is just on the opposite end, and I for one always go looking for a place to eat after a movie :D) or even after a long and hard day at work. so the next time you find yourself low on cash (or otherwise even) , you know where to head. - :) at Chikita Mumbai.

WHAT WE HAD - Nachos & Cheese with Jalapenos ( Did you read the law?)

                           Penne Pasta in Alfredo sauce ( Yum)

                           Hummus with chicken tikka Platter ( Yum to the power of 10)

                           Iced Tea (I can drink gallons)

WHERE - CHIKITA CAFE, Opp. Regal Cinema, Colaba Causeway, Mumbai.

Damages - RS 510 ( For 2) ( Did I mention, cheap?)