As the title goes, cheap food joints from across Bandra that don't hurt any wallet.
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The last time i had a great salad (The Avocado & Chicken) was at the Yari Road eatery - Barrio. The Salad was alluring with such depth of textures and flavours that it put me into a culinary coma. 'Karishma Dalal' who in her previous endeavours chef'd in the kitchens of Taj Hotels, later helmed Suzette & then Barrio now shows her liberal love towards salads with her venture called 'Bombay Salad Co.' at 16th Road, Bandra.
After a couple of hard luck tries in the past week, i finally managed to get a table here. The table was exactly as wide as my shoulders and the next table seemed like an extension of my table itself. So much so, i overheard how this woman was envious that her friends were making trips to Europe and how she wanted her wedding reception arrangement table to be. Bombay Salad Co. or Karishma - If anyone of y’all are listening then please make some space for people. Removing one table each from the al-fresco and the inside can really help people feel at ease.
My order seemed too cliché for a post workout meal - Whey Protien, Apple, Almonds & Banana Smoothie followed by Detox Salad. Last evening the service seemed to have some teething issue where my salad bowl only reached the table after exactly 25 minutes upon placing the order. The Smoothie was nutty, refreshing and rich all at the same time. The glass came with a quite a dash of sliced almonds *ThumbsUp*. The Detox Salad looks as colorful as a Lego set with deep green from Kale leaves, mixed Lettuce & Brocolli while the warmer tones came from the Pomegranate, baked Fish & mixed Seeds. Taste-wise it was almost impeccable that each bite consists of a crispy, chewy and a slippery element. The Orange Carrot Vinaigrette seemed like a side kick. A tad bit more of the zest from the vinaigrette and the salad would have been a masterstroke.
Surely there will be a couple of more visits, but only once the fad has subsided and the service is quick and there's space enough to stretch my arms and not knock off anyone on the side. In a nutshell it's great go-to place for some with a fervent for Salads & Smoothies or Anyone looking to dine out with some counted calories. Ciao !
Location : 16th Road, Next to Kareem's. Just opposite to Hawaiian Shack.
Le-Berian is tucked in one of those unexplored bylanes of Andheri West while being just a stone throw away from the Lokhandwala roundabout. Serving a highly Bohri influenced mughlai cuisine and self proclaimed masters of soulful biryanis, Le-Berian has made a stronghold and niche for itself in under a year. Mind you, it's a more take away oriented eatery with only a handful of tables on the open terrace. The bill of fare is compact with each category averaging a maximum of 5-6 dishes.
We had a tall lunch order for takeaway this afternoon. It's lack of seating space means resorting to their reliable Chicken Bhuna Roll while they processed my ticket. Good amount of flavorful chicken wrapped in whole wheat reshmi paratha is a must have if you don't have the time to stop for a full blown meal. Meanwhile the takeaway list was made up of Bhuna Chicken (yet again !) curry, Chicken Lasooni Palak, Bohri Lamb Biryani, Butter Chicken Biryani, Afghani Tikka Biryani and a stack of Reshmi Parathas.
Butter Chicken Biryani
Keeping it short, I'll go through each of those dishes.
- Bhuna Chicken Curry - This brown gravy is dimly spiced, thick and slightly on the tangy side. The chicken fits well in the dish even though it's not fully cooked in the curry itself. Best enjoyed by breaking the paratha, dipping in the curry and shredding the chicken with two fingers.
- Chicken Lasooni Palak - This was the star of the meal here. The chicken only played cameo to the green creamy spinach gravy with crushed garlic that hits you at every bite. What makes it likable is that the chicken chunks are sized to much smaller cubes such that they don't kill or overpower the dish. Much recommended
- Bohri Styled Lamb Biryani - Although a Bohri Biryani is something that does not belong to my palette, this one was a great effort. One deep aroma and it sent me back to the local masala shop at Bandra Bazaar that bottles these aromatic spice mixes. The lamb was soft pink and perfectly cooked - it splits into two with it's fibers just by a gentle pressure of the thumb and fingers. Overall a very light dish that does not make use of alubhukaray & tomato unlike the mainstream Biryani.
- Butter Chicken Biryani - I always failed to understand it's purpose. A more sweet oriented Biryani that is better enjoyed when kept apart - Butter Chicken & Biryani.
- Afghani Tikka Biryani - Yet another biryani from the today's meal. This has a very distinct peppery flavour that works more on the lines of typical Afghani Tikka Masala with a white creamy cashew base. The rice and tikka masala do come together but not much like they were cooked together to give a gradual color & taste shift from bottom to top.
In all, Le-Berian has managed to retain it's customers after their first interaction for sure. The proof is that the phone doesn't stop ringing at their counter and the kitchen seems busy like it's Bakri Eid.
Location : 311, Snehanjali CHS, Near Samartha Aishwarya, Adarsh Nagar, Andheri West
Missing Lucknow's original Tunde? Lucknowee Tunde on M.S. Ali Road draws a close enough caricature of the original 'melt in your mouth' kebabs.
So if you're puzzled like every other year on what to be picked for Christmas, Look no further than EATC / Eat Around The Corner (Bandra West). This limited menu features traditional sweets from colorful marzipan box to rich plum cakes and rum balls to assorted chocolates. Everything on this menu is worth a share on Christmas with your folks and neighbors. Cakes for occasions are also up for orders too. Mars Cheesecake, Gateau, Red Velvet and more. Prices start from 900/- per kg.
While you're here to pick these Christmas treats, Do try their new limited #ChefRecommends menu which features dishes like Burmese Khaosuey, Jambalaya, Grilled Basa, Spaghetti in Cream Sauce and more. Having been an ardent admirer of their Penne in Alfredo Sauce with Chicken Fillet, It was disappointing to see it go off the menu. Though the Creamy Sauce Spaghetti made up for it without a single hitch.
The menu is on for a limited time, Hurry up !!
Hidden gems from Koldongri area of Andheri East that serve some unadulterated malwani experience.