Monthly Archives: January 2014

Sundance Cafe

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menu

menu

That pic on top is the menu of the restaurant. Its a nice change from the regular menus one sees across the city. Also, the restaurant is well done up. Simple but elegant and chic. The restaurant is at 2 levels and I chose to sit upstairs – I’ve always preferred upstairs at this restaurant (I’ve eaten a lot at the old Sundance cafe. This Sundance Cafe has taken over from the old management, having just bought out their name; everything else is with a new management. Started in November 2012)

To start our dinner, we ordered a Lemon Iced Tea and Factory Nachos

Lemon iced tea

Lemon iced tea

Its PERFECT. At Rs. 100, I am very happy and dive into the nachos.

Factory Nachos

Factory Nachos

The Nachos were full of flavour. Crunchy and tasty. However, the cheese sauce was less but we were giving an additional helping as soon as we asked for it. The portion size is very small. At Rs. 425, its just a layer or two of nachos scattered across the plate. At such a price I would have expected to find a nice small heap of nachos which could almost serve as a mini meal by itself!

For mains ordered the Habanero Spiced Black Bean burger and an Indian Salmon.

Habenero spiced bean burger

Habenero spiced bean burger

Its a good burger, but the potato wedges steal the show – easily. The burger is a black mean mince with avocado tapenade and tomato salsa. The burger is average. Priced at Rs. 425, I find it on the expensive side. (These prices are exclusive of Service tax and Service Charge) For vegetarians, the choice in burgers is this or a mushroom based one. However, met with the chef and they are introducing more options in veg and non-veg in the coming few weeks. Eat this with their mustard sauce and I go Ummmm…….. The mustard sauce is just like the one served at Indigo Deli.

Indian salmon

Indian salmon

The Indian Salmon is a pan-seared rawas served on a bed of mashed potatoes, served with zucchini and green onion cream sauce. At Rs. 525, its a great dish to be had as a main course. The fish is cooked flawless, the mashed potatoes are well herb-ed , the zucchini and eggplant are well-sauteed and all of this is brought together with the lightly flavoured green onion cream sauce – the sauce is just awesome – no other words to describe it. The dish on the whole gets a 4 on 5.

The dinner was a good end to the day. I am definitely going back to try the other options on the menu, especially their beverages and desserts – next time.

Chef is a young man, friendly and helpful. The staff attentive and discreet. Go to Sundance Cafe and enjoy a good meal.

Old Custom House canteen

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old Custom House

old Custom House

I’ve eaten here a couple of times earlier. My hunt for misal pavs in South Mumbai got me here.

Recently, I visited this canteen again. I had to have the misal pav.

misal pav

misal pav

Its a good serving of misal with 2 soft pavs. Its spiced and flavoured well, but at the same time its not spicy. At Rs. 24 a plate, I give this a 5 on 5. Easily.

They also serve batata misal, which is batata wada in the misal gravy! Its quite nice tasting – actually, though their batata wadas aren’t the best of those I’ve eaten.

batata wada

batata wada

The Batata wada plate of 2 at Rs. 16 is passable. Its flat-ish in appearance and has lesser filling of the potato mix and a thick besan coating.

onion n methi pakodas

onion n methi pakodas

Excellent. Priced at Rs. 17 a plate. Crunchy and flavorsome, the pakodas are well balanced with onion and methi  . The accompanying chutney too is first-rate. Eat all this with their cutting tea at Rs. 6.

Theobroma

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logoI know many people who just love Theobroma – I’m not one of them. I’m very selective of what I like there. Their Chocoholic cake / pastry is fantastic. I always go for that as in the past I have not really enjoyed their other desserts or savories. However, over the weekend I was surprised by hubby bringing me 2 pastries from there – they are the new additions to desserts counter – the Red Velvet cake and the Baked cheese dessert.

two pasteriesWhich to have first??

Baked cheese dessert

Baked cheese dessert

Tried the Baked cheese dessert – ummmm…..heaven..just melt in the mouth. Loved it. Price – Rs 120. Its a heavy pastry but I had to eat the other one too – so here goes….

Red velvet cake

Red velvet cake

Another piece of heaven in my mouth……it’s got a hint of raspberry and the custard-y icing is gooey and slurp-y. Price – Rs. 90.

I must say that my opinion of Theobrama has changed on eating these two pastries. I shall now definitely be open to going there more often.

 

 

 

‘B’ Road Pani-puri and Bhelwala

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THEY ARE BACK ON THE STREET  !!!! YIPEEEEE…….

After serving for 35 years and more, 10 years ago, they were made to stop selling their food on the street. ‘B’ Road at Churchgate, just opposite Intercontinental hotel (then Natraj hotel), at the pavement turning, the pani-puri wala used to set his shop every evening. A building away, the bhelwala would make the yummiest of fares. They were very well know across town. My aunts from 25 kms away, when visiting us would insist on being served only their foods.

2 months ago, the pani-puri wala returned to his usual place.

'B' Road pani-puri wala

‘B’ Road pani-puri wala

He sets shop at 4:00 p.m and ends his day at about 9:00 p.m. – that’s approximately the time by when his foods start getting over! All the dishes are amazing. If you want to try all his dishes, then go for an early dinner there. Start with a pani-puri. Eat a ragda-pattice or a dahi-batata puri and end with a churmur (a bhel made with his food paraphernalia). All dishes priced at Rs. 30 each.

The bhelwala, for the last 10 years would go building to building, selling his stuff. All one  had to do was give him a call and he would come home with his trappings and make whatever you want freshly at the door. Now he is back at the street too. 10 paces from the pani-puri wala, the bhelwala set his stand a month ago. He starts serving from 6:00 p.m. onwards everyday.

B Road bhelwala

B Road bhelwala

Ask for a bhel, sookha or otherwise or a sev puri and relish. Priced at Rs. 20 a plate, each bite is a pleasure.

bhel n sev puri collage

bhel n sev puri collage

Loving chatpata stuff, I grew up on these 2 street foodwalas. The sons have taken over from their fathers.

ENJOY folks as they are back!

Chole with butter naan

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Chole with butter naan

Chole with butter naan

This was my dinner tonight. I love Chole-Bathura. However, trying not to eat too much of fried food, instead of making bathura at home, I just ordered -in a butter naan. Give a Punjabi Chole with bathura, kulcha or then a naan; serve it with onions and raw green chilies and he will be very satisfied. I am! End to a good weekend.

Janta Santosh Bhuvan

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Eatery front

Eatery front

This small-ish eatery has been in the heart of Colaba market for years. But it is only recently that my yearning for misal pav, got it my attention. Actually, rather my husband’s attention.

Recently, I was so wanting to have misal pav and did not know any place close-by (around Colaba market) to eat from. My sweet hubby, came down to the market and approached this eatery. THEY SERVED MISAL PAV! And its good. I’ve now eaten here misal pav numerous times, and packed it for home as well on umpteen occasions.

misal pav

misal pav 

Janta Santosh Bhuvan is located right in the center of Colaba market. It is at the corner of one of the lanes leading into the market center.

Its also known for its farsans. I have picked a few of them on occasions and they are very tasty. Mithais (sweetmeats) too are good. I would recommend this eatery be checked out by all who want a good snack. Another plus for it – its their tea. Its hot and refreshing at Rs. 10. I love the tea there. Sometimes I just go to the market on a pretext of running an errand, to have their tea. Only snack of theirs I have tasted and not liked are the bhajias.

Farsan n mithai counter

Farsan n mithai counter

Many of make boondi – raita at home. I endorse the boondi from this shop. Extremely crisp and fresh. Another must have – potato wafers. By far, they pack one of the best wafers in town. I have served it to many guests and all have asked me from where the wafers are, as they are excellent. Till a month back they retailed the wafers at Rs. 200 at kg, today it sells at Rs. 300 a kg.

wafers

wafers

I appreciate this shop for the snacks.  Its owner is a wonderful gentleman who mans the cash counter.

Sufra – encounters of 3 kinds

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Had 3 Sufra experiences (after my first visit) in November and December. My experiences.

Having tried the Original Falafel the first time round, loved it and then I had to try their other dishes. So, went back on the 29th of November 2013. Between the Spinach Pide (Middle-eastern pizza) and another vegetarian fare, I was recommended to try the Paneer and Vegetable skewers with Moujadara. This is grilled vegetables and cottage cheese skewers served with lentil and brown onion pulao, served with their piquant tomato sauce.

In non-vegetarian, was suggested The Crisp Chicken in pita pocket. This is garlic and cumin spiced chicken with lettuce, tomato, tahini, fresh coriander and mint sauce.

The Paneer and Vegetable skewers with Moujadara.

Paneer n vegetables skewered in tomato sauce

Paneer n vegetables skewered in tomato sauce

pulao

pulao

Paneer n veg skewers with Moujadara

Paneer n veg skewers with Moujadara

At Rs. 225, its a tasty and wholesome meal. The skewers are flavourful. The tomato sauce is aromatic and has zest. It goes well with the pulao. The pulao, I felt was nothing great. It was strongly scented with cinnamon, cardamon and other spices. However, on the whole its a good dish. Portion size is good and it adequately serves 1. In the above picture, the plate could not accommodate half of the rice and more of the tomato sauce. However, I am not sure if I would order this often as it is not an exotic taste or does not make me feel I am eating a Middle- Eastern fare. Its good and different but not strikingly unusual.

The Crispy Chicken is a non-vegetarian Falafel. Credit to Sufra for the chicken – it packs in a good flavour. On the whole its a good falafel. Gets itself a rating of 3.5 on 5. At Rs. 150 its a good meal.

Crispy chicken

Crispy chicken

Experience 2 – wanted to have the Spinach Pide. Went to the outlet one night, in the first week of December. Time 7:30 pm. NO SPINACH PIDE. Ordered the Original Falafel. NO ORIGINAL FALAFEL!

Experience 3 – 13th December 2013. Lunchtime around 1 p.m. I was close to the outlet. I decided to call them before reaching them for a pickup. NO SPINACH PIDE.