Mumbai is the haven of gourmets. As Shashi Kapoor puts it: "It's a cosmopolitan city alright, and there's no cuisine that isn’t available here. My wife Jennifer was very fond of the Bengali ‘Mishti Doi’ and she used to get it just round the corner at a store nearby."
Today, Mumbai caters to all taste buds and to all pockets. If the Five Star hotels cater to the elite, there are hundreds of eating places which cater to the regular foodie who prefers eating out, to small time celebrities and the middle class, to people who have to entertain on a regular basis and to just families wanting a day out.
With so many eateries proliferating they offer competitive rates too and more and more Mumbaikars are found eating out almost on a daily basis, while earlier eating out was a major budget constraint. If Chinese restaurants remain the favourite Thai cuisine is a close second with Italian and Mexican following close behind.
Indian food remains a favourite, Mughlai still dominates the tastes of Indians while Gujarati and South Indian thalis do bumper business. Pizza parlours and fast food joints rub shoulders with Paratha joints and sandwich corners.
One must not forget the Mumbai favourites pav bhaji and bhel puri stalls and the roadside vadapav and usal pav joints. As if that are not enough, filmstars have their favourite studio canteens where each one has a favourite dish. Singer Kavita Krishnamurti always fortifies herself with hot toast and butter with sugar sprinkled on it and a cup of tea at the Mehboob studio canteen, while Jackie Shroff loves the misal pav at Kamalistan studio.
But these are work-a-day eating places. Evenings see the stars at salad bars or "The Great Wall of China" or "China Garden" munching their favourite delicacies. "Olive" is a current favourite restaurant of all the elite in town today. CEOs, filmstars, models, dress designers, socialites are all seen hobnobbing here. The place is owned by husband and wife Saagarika (singer) and Martin along with another friend AD Singh. "Everyone comes here because it caters to all tastes. Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri are regulars here.
A step ahead is "Shatranj" where you can get some of the best Italian food. This too caters to celebrity pockets. "Out of the Blue", just next door to Olive, is a Sizzlers and Fondue joint and it sees all kinds of people here. Sonali Bendre swears by their cheese fondue while Aamir Khan was often spotted eating there with his family in happier times. Today, with heightened competition, "Out of the Blue" offers attractive perks in the form of artistes painting while clients eat. Clients can even go and try their hand at painting.
"Gazalee", in the northern suburbs, is a particular favourite of Maharastrians like Milind Soman, Madhu Sapre, Antara Mali and Sonali Kulkarni. Their Malvani fish dishes are everyone's tipple.
Talking of food no one can leave out Ad man Prahlad Kakkar. Mamata Sekri, who owns the innovative dhaba "Papa Pancho", has Prahlad Kakkar to thank for its success. Imitating a North Indian dhaba, this restaurant is a favourite among one and all with it's fabulous laccha parathas, murg masallam and kali dal with baingan bharta among other things. This of course is a typical wholesome food joint reminding one of home food with fine trappings. The meals are also very affordable.
Nudging "Papa Pancho"'s is "Thai ban", another favourite. A diversification is offered in the form of Goenchi Kadi. A little ahead is "Thai Connection", whose papaya salads are to die for. Chinese Cuisine is seen as one among the best at Bandra's "China Gate" and "Gazebo". "Pop Tate's" at Seven bungalows has all kinds of visitors. Such is the variety they offer. An Ekta Kapoor is found discussing her TV serials with her writers there while an Om Puri and wife Nandita enjoy their pastas and Cannoleni. The owner greets every familiar face and everyone is sure of finding place in this three-tier restaurant.
A little ahead is the "Legacy of China" which offers fabulous Chinese food to the likes of Vivek Oberoi, Rita Ganguly along with Santosh Sivan and Saurabh Shukla.
All the "Barista"'s, be it in Bandra at the Bandstand or at Lokhandwala are immensely popular but suddenly the "Mocha Bar" is the place to me in Bandra. One finds an Aditi Gowitrikar doing an interview over a cup of coffee, while the manager of Rabo laps up their sinful chocolate avalanche and rounds it off with their mint tea.
"Pot Pourri" can't be beaten for its corn salads and pastas while Invitation 365 woos clients with their ‘any amount for Rs 99’ offers which seem to work very well. Thali joints like "Status", "Thakkers", "Rajdhani" in south Mumbai vie for attention with "Indigo" and "Tea Centre". "The great wall" at the Leela still remains a favourite as does the "Zodiac grill" at the Taj, "Holiday Inn"'s buffets find every celebrity heading for the soups while the "Regent" in Bandra has regulars like Jackie Shroff, Ayesha Shroff and Helen. Their Chinese restaurant and their coffee shop are both favourites for professional duty lunches and dinners.
"The Awchats" at the Goa Portugese in Matunga offer Goan non-veg food to the multitudes of hungry non-vegetarians, but nothing beats the unlimited South Indian Thali available at "Mani's" in Matunga for a mere Rs 45.
"Rain" at Juhu is fast posing a competition for the popular "Olive". They market it along with shopping opportunities just outside the restaurant just as "Mela" at Mahalaxmi used to do earlier. "Flora's" at Worli remains the quietest Chinese restaurant with its popularity intact.
(Source: Sify.com)
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