I had heard that Crystal had opened in Lower Parel, having had to shut down at Chowpatty due to redevelopment or lease expiry.

Last fortnight en route to work, saw the board and decided to try it out, but did not know the number, so tweeted about it and promptly someone provided the number.

Called them up, ordered Paneer bhurji, jeera aloo, chapatti, mix raita for a couple of us. The delivery was prompt, less than 30 minutes.

The aroma took me back years to my first job, where Crystal used to be the place. The food was very good and either they do make all of it with less oil or they listen when they are told.

The jeera aloo was just right - crispy, tadka, spicy; whilst the bhurji had a nice bambaiya punjabi taste, whilst the chappati’s were actually phulkas.

The second time around Chana Masala, Paneer Masala & Dal Fry with chappati were ordered and the same service, taste remained.

My colleagues tried out Kheer & went orgasmic over it too.

So, if you have your office in Lower Parel, want some good ghar ka khana then Crystal is your best bet.

Address: Shop No 2, Building, A Shinde Building Compound,
Next to Phoenix Towers, S. B. Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai
Phone: 24990099, 24990077, 9820512551

Having to travel for a couple of hours to Goa *sigh* opted for my preferred airline, where everything went perfectly, so much so, landed 15 minutes early and was left to do nothing for the next couple of hours.

On spur of the moment decided to have breakfast in Fidalgo, which I had not visited in a decade.

I saw a small cafe just off the lobby and sat there, guided in no small measure by the fresh bakery smell.

After perusing the menu, the waiter; quite knowledgeable - recommended I try the fresh chicken sandwich, which I ordered along with some cold coffee.

It took some 15 odd minutes to be brought, but arrive it did - nice thick slice on which bits of chicken pieces with mayo were spread and then covered with another thick slice.

The first bite took me to heaven, the bread soft, whilst the filling was chilled to perfection.

The cold coffee was superb - nothing that CCD, Barista could match.

Both were demolished in short order and were enough to sustain me till evening!

Passing by the road, saw Rolling Beans had been replaced with a more sedate color and a new name, but looked still in the opening stage.

A week later, on a Sunday, decided to try it out, thinking it was a south indian restaurant. We walked in to a warm place, with just 2 tables occupied, one of them complaining about delay in service. But consoled ourselves 1) It was still early - around 7 pm 2) new place, teething troubles, hence took a seat.

Looked through the menu and were pleasantly surprised with the menu which was a mix of gujarati and rajasthani. Being a sunday evening, decided to try out some light eats and hence went with Bhel (quite a nice taste, though they gave us sukkha bhel); Khapoli vada (excellent preparation, yummy, with just the thin batter coat like the gujarati vadas); Patra ( good taste, a tad oily) Dal dhokli ( ok taste, not really the gujarati kind, but a thicker combination) finally topping it up with methi thepla (excellent, thin, gujarati style with the right amount of masala.

And, yes the service was excellent, more tables filled up quickly too. Whilst waiting for the desserts, unfortunately they did not have the kulfi, the young owner Bhakti came to chat up and take feedback, which gave me an opportunity of giving my marketing gyan:)

A good place with bit of teething problem, given the fact that it is just couple of weeks old, but a must visit.

Address: One, Aram Nagar, J.P. Road, 7 Bungalows,
Andheri (W), Mumbai Tel: 9819032132

I have seen the work going on at this small eatery over the past couple of weeks and had been wanting to try it out, as soon as it opened, more from the perspective of having a breakfast option around my area.

Yesterday, whilst going to drop off Sumir aka greekbaba to catch his train, after a late saturday night that had left us hungry, saw that Eggsunday was open for business.

We walked into the bright 20 seater eatery with the hope of some quick sustenance.

They have an extensive 3 fold pyramid menu, offering a variety of items, obviously made of eggs.

Whilst the chicken egg combination were not available as well as the rolls; Greekbaba opted for Sunny side up; N decided to try out hash browns french fries. I was not too keen but reading ‘Akuri with Brun’ on the menu decided to go for it.

Sunny side up came quickly, but was pronounced Runny by Greekbaba, whilst the hash brown fries passed muster.

After a while the Akuri arrived; one look at the offering and I was shattered, it resembled a ‘bhurji’ with only tomatoes and simple brown laadi pav!

When questioned, I was informed by the young lad, that this was brun?

Whilst I was trying to console my grieving heart and eat the bhurji, nay I refuse to call it Akoori, N ordered espresso, which also was unavailable.

We quietly asked for the bill and were walking out, when their consultant who apparently was watching us, asked for feedback.

Whilst giving it to him, I also enquired with him ‘Why would you allow it to open if you are not ready?’ Just a shrug and sir please try it after a week.

Overall, it has a lot going for it, but needs to get it’s act together quickly. As is my habit, I shall visit it two more times before I write it off completely.

Add: Meera Apartments, Oshiwara, Mumbai
Tel: 26319228

A working day, but my wife surprised me by taking me out for dinner, something that must have happened after ages.

She offered me an option between Mainland China (which we have been to earlier - together/individually) and Caravan Sarai that she’s never been to.

Opting for the latter we reached there quickly, found it sparsely occupied, but nicely chilled and good ambiance.

Ordering a drink each, perusing the menu decided to try Subz kabab (tandoor) and Kokri kabab ( shallow fried). Both tasted lovely accompanied with some nice mint chutney.

Moved on directly to the main course - Veg kolhapuri - nice, spicy but more capsicum and carrots then I normally prefer Dum aloo punjabi - which was pretty good, with thick gravy and just the right consistency.

We decided to try the phudina paratha - excellent; laccha paratha - good; roomali roti (wrapped in silver foil) - cold and have definitely tasted much better.

The chilled veg raita went well with the food, as did the tokri of complimentary papads.

Just as we were finishing, the restaurant started filling up and a large group came next to us, upon which the service went completely downhill, with the waiters too busy to take our dessert order or get the bill.

Finally in exasperation, we got up and paid at the door.

Overall food was worth a visit, however a TV spoils the ambiance and the staff is busy looking at it.

A place on my agenda particularly during the month of Shravan, but something or the other kept delaying the visit.

Rain decided to play spoil sport, so had to order in. The phone was picked up in just two rings and order taken down with recommendations thrown in.

Aloo methi was our choice and the voice on the phone suggested that we try out their speciality Pizza parantha and Pav Bhaji Parantha; accompanied by curd & pickle besides their famous chole.

It was delivered piping hot promptly within 20 minutes as committed.

The only comment after demolishing - Complete value - price, quality, service and definitely worth trying and repeating.

Address: Nandu’s Paratha House, 19 Sonawala Building, Green Street, Fort, Mumbai Tel: 22702265

After passing by the store number of times, I decided to finally check it out.

Walked in around 8 pm on a rainy Thursday and was attended by a friendly staff who shared some taste and knowledge freely with me.

Tasted bite sized Chocobons etc found them extremely succulent, sinful and can give an instant sugar high.Decided to go ahead with the most popular (by way of requirement) Chocobon which was actually a bribe for my colleagues at work the next day.

They come in a box of 4 (unfortunately only one flavor) or a box of 9 (three flavors).

Also picked up a packet of Cinnabon stix 8pc which were kind of bread twisty with sugar coating.

All in all a worth adversary to Mad over Donuts though not as much variety.

Address: Cinnabon, Shop No. 1; Sagarika Hsg Society, Opp. Ramada, Juhu, Tel: 66716789/66716784

After a rush Indigo flight to Ahmedabad which was on time (as usual) checked in to the hotel before hunger pangs bit me.

The two options immediately were Mcdonald (which I am not too enamored with) and Papa John a chain rival to Pizza hut that I have tried in the past in Bombay Baroda with fond memories.

Off we went, nice cheery place with precisely a couple sitting.

The service was quick, with Mustafa introducing himself and providing an explanation of ‘Chaat’ pizza - fresh dough, topped with capsicum, onions, cubes of potatoes, garnished with coriander, a bit tangy to taste.

Normally I would not dream of ordering this, but N prevailed and we ordered the smallest size along with a side portion of Garlic parmesan sticks.

The sticks came first, trying it out and they had to be stretched, chewed more times then I normally prefer.

Whilst thinking as to how some body managed to crucify a dish claimed to be special.

And the chaat pizza arrived - 4 pieces topped with 6 cubes of potatoes and smattering of onions capsicum with cheese of course. Though it was not tangy as promised, it was fresh and nice.

It was cleaned in double quick time, whilst the sticks were a laborious job.

Mustafa came up to enquire about the pizza, upon bringing to his notice the sticks, he provided the excuse that, whilst it is made from the same dough as the pizza, it can never be spongy.

The nett result observation - lack of business at that particular time, reheated sticks, with chaat pizza of no particular taste, vintage has ensured that another visit here is out of the question.

A place that had been hearing a lot about from friends; but was always avoiding thanks to not being really a music lover, so to say.

Finally Dharmesh a permanent forced me to land up one day a couple of months ago.

Landed up, paid the cover charge and went in, to be hit by a blast of air conditioning and music.

Had a couple of beers, an old fashioned & some french fries & left by 9 pm.

The next time around went when some football match was playing, tried it again.

Skipped the beer, since had like the old fashioned earlier, went straight for it accompanied by some mini burgers and assorted platter of veggie stuff.

Tried their Mojito also, which was good and so now can really conclude:

They make some of the best cocktails in town, finger food is good, whilst may not really be a place to try out for dinner; music & sound is good.

Will definitely recommend and visit again for an old fashioned:)

Mathuradas Mills Compound,
Opposite Kamala Mills Compound,
Entrance from Tulsi Pipe Road,
Lower Parel, Mumbai
Tel : 61586158, 65251716, 4033230

A place in Raghuvanshi mills, right opposite our office, but had never got a chance to visit the place, till a friend from Bangalore popped over.

Off we went, took a professional look at The Good Earth store and then climbed up the stairs. Loved the old warehouse feel & look of the place. A blast of chilled air with variety of perfumes hit us as soon as we entered the place, looked like all the SoBo ladies had decided to have their Kitty parties that day.

Got a table quickly and ordered a glass of red and some bruschettas, whilst reading through the menu.

We ordered the Paprika dusted grilled chicken - creamy, mildly garlicky with potato wedges. The chicken was soft & succulent, worth trying. A Chicken sandwich which was just perfect, with tomato and mascarpone cheese risotto which was more or less okay, but needed some chilly flakes & Tabasco.

All in all a good couple of hours spent over lunch. And that reminds me, that I had promised my wife that I would take her there.

Raghuvanshi Mills Compound,
Lower Parel, Mumbai
Tel 65285284, 24951954