I had visited this place 4+ years ago with a friend for a leisurely lunch and had come away completely disappointed.

However, last week, on my quest for a dining table, ended up at Home Stop and felt like having a Thali, which meant either Rajdhani or Bhagat Tarachand (which unfortunately had not opened). That narrowed the options to Pizza Hut (too crowded), Ruby Tuesday (does not really have food) when my wife bull dozed me to Moti Mahal Deluxe.

Upon entering, saw it was more than half full, with mostly families. Given a nice table, started perusing the menu, which was quite exhaustive. Unfortunately, they did not have old monk and hence had to settle for Bacardi.

We opted for some roasted masala papads and a portion of Subz mix grill which consisted of paneer, aaloo & mix vegetable kebabs - very nicely marinated and served hot.

For the mains, we tried Veg kofta - very nice - a bit spicy & tangy with brown gravy and methi mutter malai which had a taste of real methi and was not too sweet. But it is the roti’s which were extremely nice, in particular the chilly paratha, which had bits of green chilly and went extremely well with the methi mutter malai.

We were too stuffed to try out the sweet and left it for another time.

Address: Inorbit, Malad west, Mumbai

I had first eaten at Faasos in Pune more than a couple of years back and had loved their service and food, So when they opened in Bombay a while ago, passing by, I dropped in and found the same taste and put their number on my speed dial.

Over the past 6-8 months I have ordered half a dozen times and have had sweet-bitter experiences every time - starting from perfect delivery, not being delivered for more than 2 hours and being constantly assured that the boy had left, specifically requesting for change of 500/- and not receiving it etc. etc.

The last order was on Wednesday, when they managed to send an egg roll without onions against an Aaloo+Egg and that too after 4 calls and nearly 60 minutes.

Having said that, the price point has made it a run away success, added to that is the yummy taste of wraps.

The portions are decent. Two wraps are good enough to have your fill.

Now if they only get their delivery right!

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

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 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

Let’s eat here!

Shop No 13, Greenville, Oshiwara, Lokhandwala, Andheri (W) Mumbai 400 053

A fast food started by Mr. Jasmeet Tibbs son of the original owner, yet to officially open on Monday 3, 2009.

Passing by on our way to check out if we could get some Chaat at our old Bhaiyya, my wife suddenly saw this board & reading Sandwiches her eyes lighted up (a glutton who has to try even the worst sandwiches once at least).

Parking the car, we made our way to the bright eatery which just had 3 people sitting outside on the table, but lots of people inside.

Whilst my wife was speaking to a young lady outside, I made my way inside to take a couple of photographs. Immediately Mr. Tibbs came inside to find out, what I would be interested in tasting.

We ordered a veg grilled sandwich, a egg & veg frankie & one of their signature fries with the mustard sauce.

Waiting for it, Mr. Tibbs again personally came up & said, we are still testing it out, hence the sandwich will not be recommended, however he insisted that I share his chicken brown bread sandwich and a piece of the barbeque chicken which I happily agreed to.

Chicken Brown Bread Sandwich - Good, the bread could have been better, but the stuffing was amazing, spread completely, with just the tinge of spice which exploded with every mouthful. No sauces required = very good:)

Hot & Spicy Fries - Amazing packed in a takeaway with mayo+mustard tangy dip. Fries & dip were excellent, though the Salt could have been a bit less, which I am sure would come with practice in a day or so.

Barbeque Chicken (Tandoori chicken) - Amazingly, tingling good. The right amount of spices, just the tinge of black, hot & superbly grilled.

Veg Frankie - Nothing really to be said after their millions of frankies have been sold.

Over all a super experience, definitely a visit & must of home order.

The packing, ingredients & price are complete Value for Money.

By the Way, do not rush because they open for business only from Monday 3rd November 2009.

We were the lucky tasters:)

Shop No. 16, Link Palace Building, Lokhandwala, Andheri (W), Mumbai

By the Slice

Extremely close by, meaning to try it out. So my daughter went to pick up the menu. Did not want to end up eating a full each, luckily they had Slices - quite a nice idea.

Ordered two slices of Margherita(classic pizza with mozzarella & basil) & Marinara (Tomato, garlic & fresh oregano) with a portion of cheesy garlic bread with dip.

Margherita - Crisp base with just the perfect cheese spread & basil tinge.

Marinara - Tomatoes were fine, better than pizza hut etc. but garlic pods! guess they have yet to discover garlic crusher & unfortunately the base was not crisp enough.

Cheesy bread was ok, whilst the dip was amazing, thick with taste buds exploding.

Expense - approx Rs. 200/- worth it. Definitely need to try their other pizzas & pastas

Shop No 1-2, Citizen, Lokhandwala Complex, Lokhandwala, Andheri (W), Mumbai

Lokhandwala Landmark

A Landmark of sorts in Lokhandwala Market. Covering South Indian, Fast Food of all Sorts, Punjabi Cuisine, Chinese Cuisine, Beverages ( Fresh Fruit Juice and Milk Shakes ), Ice Creams and Kulfi (Pista is Yum). Personally , i enjoy their Hot Dog, Pav Bhaji , and Dahi Batata Puri. Have seen it constantly reinvent itself to meet the needs. The hot dog fight against subway, the pizza fight against Dominos & gang, ensure that its loyal clientèles returns!

Wakefield House, 11 Sprott Road, 16 Ballard Estate, Colaba, Mumbai

Excellent turns Average

Had an opportunity of visiting after years. And it was a serious let down. The Dhansak was oily, the famed berry pulao was with few berries, the chicken was rubbery…..only the pudding was as good as one remembered. Being a regular some years ago, shared these observations with the owner, who sagely nodded his head….do not know if to say, we will take care of it or please carryon, there are a lot more yuppies to replace your kind of people. But all in all a bad experience. Would really think twice about returning.