Had been meaning to visit the place, more so since, had recommended it to friends but could not manage to join them.

Last week, after a heavy lunch, was feeling a bit peckish and so decided to try it out. Called up and they said no reservations taken, but since it was already 9 pm, they said come by and we’ll find you a place.

With the humidity, we opted to sit inside, which was pretty full. Ordered a drink and they kindly made a mocktail off the menu for my wife, who is a teetotaller and vegetarian.

We ordered french fries - just perfect, far superior to McD and the ilk. This was followed by onion rings - which were nice, but New Yorker has better. And then asked for a vegetable club sandwich - but had mushrooms - so changed it to Veg Burger (ya ya I know, there is no such thing) which was pretty good in itself, but the accompaniments - wedges and salad were outstanding.

A visit to try out the non vegetarian side of the menu is being planned soon, but overall it just proved why now we do not have to travel all the way to town.

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

Tangy Tamarind

41 Pali Hill (Rukson Cuisine), Bandra (West), Mumbai
Phone: (22) 26481094

Ratings: 4 stars (out of 5)

quiet place on the 2nd floor with nice round tables that are not occupied most of the evenings. Visited it a couple of times. They have good crisp nachos & garlic bread with cheese. Pasta was decent but can be improved upon. However the one in white sauce was much better. The drinks OK priced but no accompaniments so you have to order. The mughlai/indian mini meal is sufficient for 1 person since it comes with parathas. All in all a convenient place to go with a couple of business associates or a loved one, where the idea is to spend time & not gorge. The service is good & they let you drink in peace if you tell them.

Vanilla Cafe And Garden Grill

Cliffton Trishul Building Link Road, Near Fame Adlabs, Andheri (West), Mumbai
Phone: (22)67109070/9100/4411
Category: Food & Dining, Restaurants

Ratings: 3 stars (out of 5)

Visited it last saturday. A good calm place with decent music & good service. Food nothing to write home about. A lot of items on the menu had either been discontinued (surprising for a cafe that has recently opened) or was not available. Imagine not having buns for burger on a saturday!! at 9 pm. My fav challenge of margarita let me down - first I was asked whether I want it with liqour?? then after repeatedly reminding him for a frozen one was served cold one!!