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.

I remember this place from the late 1980’s but somehow missed visiting her even when I was based out of Ahmedabad, and on subsequent regular visits.

A couple of months ago, on a visit for a friend’s daughter’s wedding committed myself to trying out the pizzas.

So one evening pushed my friends to visit the place. Hordes & hordes of Amdavadi’s were gorging away as if it was already 2012.

Keeping in mind there were 25+ people at home for which we had to pack, we decided to partake one on the spot, whilst the packing was happening.

Biscuit bhakri, soft with veggie toppings, cheese and in less time than Domino or Pizza Hut can roll out the dough, we were biting into it.

The Italians, and so called connoisseurs would never understand - the gravy/sauce; toppings; cheese but then Hey, what do they know about life!

A full value for money place and must visit, if you are in Ahmedabad.

Century Bazaar, Ambawadi,
Ahmedabad
Phone: 26407525

I have been hearing about this for a long time and had been wanting to give it a try, but BKC is not a place that I need to visit regularly.

However an opportunity arose last week. After enjoying Jagjit Singh mehfil in MMRDA decided to try out CPK (as California Pizza Kitchen is more popularly known).

Though located at the corner, signage is a problem, so much so that had to tweet/send BBM to get direction and finally reach there, passing thru security (maybe carrying pizza hut menu?).

Walking in, the first thing hit me was - Noise - sounded like a matunga shetty joint or definitely a McD. Being led to our table realized the noise level was due to yuppie parties going on - all youngsters with a candian-ireland-USA-gujju/panju/tamil (take your pick) accent.

Settled down, the water (after the usual mineral or regular) was quick. And then the patience was tested……

The servers floated around, not meeting eyes, gathered near the side table, rushed everywhere like wanting to catch the virar fast at 6.04 pm. Politely, said excuse me a couple of times (No response, maybe my accent less English could not be understood). On the verge of giving up, when my wife called in a stern tone (similar to when she uses with me, when I screw up) and boom, service began.

We ordered a Fresh Lime Soda (no liquor because that would take time) which was not too fizzy, Margherita Pizza (my test at every pizza place - because if they cannot make that then they should not be in business. This barely passed muster); Spaghetti in garlic sauce (nice, with actually taste of garlic flowing thru, not too runny) and Sandwich Salad (Ok, sandwich was not too good, salad better, but could have done with better dressing). Since this took a lot of time & we had to reach home before midnight (daughter’s birthday) we carried a chocolate banana cake (very good, but still not something I would travel all the way for)

They have a service charge for the ‘Service’ too.

To sum it up - Nothing out of the ordinary, since the area does not have anything similar, so will do well. Does not seem vegetarian friendly. Personally would not go all the way, would prefer visiting pizza hut.

3 North Avenue, Maker Maxity,
Old Drive in Theatre
Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E), Mumbai
Phone: 65588888, 65606560

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!

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

A couple of days back my Man @b50 sent a despair that the soup I had tweeted was not available and I had promised him that, if not the same, similar soup would be available in Lower Parel.

The Mumbai Deli is one such place. Whilst we have only ordered from here twice, it is good food at reasonable prices. It’s a small place with 3/4 tables, bright cheerful with Khsitij one of the partners available to help you out.

Besides trying out the soups (which were pretty okay) we tried out No 27 Lebanese Pita Sandwich which was an good healthy option (compared to the so called Lebanese food I’ve tasted in Bombay) No 32 Jalapeno Cilantro Mayo Chicken Sandwich - again pretty good with mayo not creamy or sweet but just right & No 36 Spicy Italian Panini which everyone enjoyed.

We have this on our regular list.

Madhav Bhavan (Next to Jai Hind)
Opp. Kamala Mills
Lower Parel Mumbai

Tel: 65293154/156

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.1, Royal Classic, New Link Road, Andheri (W), Mumbai

Quite Good

Tried the French Loaf out first in Pune….I loved the sandwiches & my daughter their cakes.

So decided to try out the panini sandwich here, perfect except the price - somehow not really VFM.

The small pack of mawa cakes is also exorbitantly priced.

The partries, puff, pattice are lovely as are the whole grain bread.

Off Linking Road, Near MMK College & National College, Bandra (W), Mumbai

Turning down

A great place to hang around & try out the variety of sandwiches & rolls/bombay burgers once upon a time, has now turned into worse than leela who does not allow auto rickshaws into their hotels.

Though the food is pretty decent, with the attitude if not corrected may lead to……But WTF location is what matters so JAI HO JAY

Vishwageet Apartment, Near Satyam Sales, 4 Bungalows, Andheri (W), Mumbai

Indian Style Sandwiches & Pizza

A great cheese masala sandwich prepared in a jiffy. The pizza as long as they last are made as per your specification of sauces, toppings & what have you. Dominos, Pizza Hut you do not stand a chance