Asian food is clearly the toast of the town going by the number of noodle-sushi-ramen-bao-serving places that open every month in the city. However, long before it was cool to chat about your summer vacation over plates of tuna carpaccio, Aditya Kilachand’s Japanese restaurant Tetsuma in Colaba was quite the party place before it shut down.
Kilachand is now back with another Asian offering, and this time it’s not in Colaba. When we visit, most of the tables are occupied by the owners’ high-heeled clique. Happy Thai, the newest opening at Atria Mall, offers a mix of Thai and Japanese dishes: gyozas, soups, appetisers, a few mains, and of course, sushi. The restaurant, says CEO Samir Chhabria, will serve as the window to what they plan to turn into a fast-casual chain, while explaining why there are a limited number of dishes on the menu. James Biaka is the executive chef of the restaurant, and the bar is not yet up as they are still awaiting their alcohol licence.
But the focus, says Chhabria will remain on the food rather than cocktails. Lots of plants dominate the modern, roomy, mostly grey interiors designed by Sarah Sham of Essajees Atelier, as an ode to Thailand. “The lighting has been designed so that you get good photographs of your dish whenever you walk in,” adds Chhabria. It helps, especially for an Insta-addict, as every dish is plated perfectly on custom designed plates.
To begin, try their Crispy Brussel Sprouts salad (₹450, the pricing for all dishes is on the higher side). The stir-fried sprouts come topped with shaved almonds and soy sauce and honey. If you want to try a Japanese and a Thai version made with the same ingredient, ask for the Aubergine Chilli (₹450), where thick slices of the vegetable are tossed Thai chilli paste; or try the Miso glazed Eggplant (₹390, they also offer a miso marinated black cod for mains). One of our picks from the menu is the Creamy Spicy Rock Shrimp (₹490), a delicious tempura style prawn dish with mayonnaise and tobanjan, which packs a strong crunch. Another dish that we love is the Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice (₹600), a tuna sashimi topped on crispy rice cake, which will please those who don’t prefer sashimi on its own. Avocado fans could call for a Maki Salmon and Truffle Roll (₹650), where the salmon and rice roll is filled with avocado and truffle mayo.
With a menu like this, we’d rather stuff ourselves with appetisers and sushi. Just in case you want something heartier, the mains on offer include stir-fried chicken or veggies (₹550/₹450), New Zealand Lamb Chops (₹1,250), Ginger Pork (₹550), and curries like: Thai Penang curry or a Japanese Katsu version.
Happy Thai, Atria Mall, Worli; noon to 1 a.m; phone: 67363604