Culture & Living
We’ve rounded up a list of places across Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad and Bengaluru
The year 2020 is ending on a much different note than it started. For the hospitality industry, it’s been a reckoning of sorts, dealing with closures and loss of jobs, amid several restaurants and cafes struggling to survive. As we inch towards normalcy, things are slowly looking up with new F&B concepts and delivery kitchens, while restaurants that were slated to open prior to the pandemic are finally doing so now. We’ve rounded up our edit of the places you need to check out in your city.
A new addition to the list of delivery kitchens in the city, Atom Box offers up a compact menu of clean, healthy and flavourful fare. Founder Shantanu Mohite, has teamed up with chef Karishma Sakhrani to craft the menu that lists several low-carb, vegan and keto-friendly plates, along with bowl meals, like the Watermelon Tuna Poke bowl, Harissa Cauliflower bowl, salads, wraps, and guilt-free desserts.
Order via Zomato and Swiggy or Call: 07304117755
Having launched just two days before the nationwide lockdown was announced this year, this specialty coffee roastery and craft bakehouse knows a thing or two as a brand surviving the pandemic. New on the menu are stuffed butter croissants in flavours like the Espresso creme or Kulfi-stuffed croissants. You also have innovative craft brews, like the barrel-aged Cascara (coffee cherry tea) with a dash of tonic water and jaggery, and a Lavender Cold Brew that’s steeped for about 16 hours and served with a wedge of citrus. Also in the works is a collaboration with experimental restaurant, Masque and chef Prateek Sadhu to create a co-branded 'Kashmiri Kahwa Cold Brew’. Complementing all of this is a to-be-launched line of bakes called ‘Subko Toasts’, featuring thick slices of brioche, sourdough, and gluten-free breads with an assortment of toppings.
Address: Ground Floor, Mary Lodge, 21A, Chapel Rd, Ranwar, Bandra (W), Mumbai. Tel: 09004700654
This European-inspired resto-bar is back with a refreshed avatar and a slick new menu, focusing on global, contemporary cuisine. Helming the kitchen is Delhi-born chef, Vidit Aren, known for championing native produce, and his unconventional food pairings. You’ll find these ingredients as part of several plates on the menu, from Ooty Artichokes and Meyer Lemons to Kerala Caper Berries, and King Trumpet Mushrooms. Take your pick from bites like the Sweth Mushroom Tacos, Portobello and Soy Sliders, Scotch Salmon Blinis, paired with cocktails and wines from the refreshed bar menu.
Address: 329/A, Thadani House, Worli Village, Mumbai. Tel: 07045904728
Among the other spots in the city reopening for dine-ins, popular eatery The Bombay Canteen is set to be back on December 10 for evenings only, with COVID-appropriate protocols in place. The menu will feature all your old favourites, like the Grilled Dhokla Chaat and Ammini's Duck Curry, plus a list of delicious cocktails to chase them down with. Tables are available by reservation only.
Whatsapp 088808 02424 to make a reservation
Offering gourmet burgers that promise to pack in a punch, the menu at this delivery kitchen has been designed by chef Gracian D’Souza. Choose from combinations like the Portobello and Blue Cheeseburger, Camembert and Apple, Lamb and Mint burger, among others. The moreish Parmesan Truffle Fries and mini portions of Burnt Basque Cheesecakes are the perfect accompaniment to your meal.
Order via Zomato and Swiggy
CocoCafé offerings
© Assad Dadan
Boutique chocolatier Cococart launches its first flagship store in Mumbai along with its quaint bistro offering—Cococafé. Nibble away at the café's delectable Godiva cookies or indulge in the delicious small savoury offerings, all curated by chef Karishma Sakhrani.
Address: Jiji House, 17, Raveline Street Damodar Sukhadwala Marg, Azad Maidan, Fort, Mumbai
Come mid-December, the iconic Bandra-based Bastian is all set to open its first extension in Worli. While the new venue—with a 28-foot tall bar and modern interiors—will retain its classic dishes, it will now feature a much wider offering for vegetarians including vegetarian and vegan mock meat. Keep an eye out for the exclusive robata grill menu—grilled plates made in Bastian’s signature style.
Address: Wadia International Center, Pandhurang Budhkar Marg, Kamagar Nagar Number 1, Worli, Mumbai
Sava, a new store opening in the space that was previously Mélange, offers a solution everyone wanting to make a move to a more sustainable grocery shopping experience. Not only will customers be able to buy their kitchen staples in environmentally-friendly, zero-plastic packaging, but the store also offers a range of their own-brand sauces, pickles, salads, crackers, and even house-brewed kombucha to seal the deal.
Address: 33 Altamount Road, Mumbai
Have the months of staying shut in your home left you craving all of the experiences you put on hold for the good part of this year? This new cafe lets you enjoy two, culture and delicious breakfast foods, at the same time. Meant to be an experiential space that fosters interactions and dialogue post our year of isolation, the South Bombay spot will live up to its name by serving breakfast foods from around the world as small and large plates.
Address: Kamal Mansion, 4/25 First Floor, Arthur Bunder Rd, near Radio Club, Colaba, Mumbai
Mezze Platter
There’s a new destination for Levantine cuisine in Delhi. This serene fine-dine space at the Hyatt Regency is divided into an indoor and al fresco section in a pleasing palette of blue, while the menu, which is helmed by Syrian chef duo, Mohamed Hussein Ibrahim Kasem and Abdelkarim Kurdi, draws amply from regions spanning Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and parts of Turkey. You can expect all the classics, from plentiful mezze platters, to succulent grills and fresh salads. If you’re looking for something lighter, there’s a selection of carb-free and vegan plates as well.
Address: Hyatt Regency Delhi, Bhikaiji Cama Place, Ring Road, New Delhi. Currently operational from Wednesday to Sunday. Tel: 09873611809/08447613424
This pop-up, gourmet delivery service will let you savour meals cooked by renowned chefs from across the country, in collaboration with notable restaurants in the capital city. Starting with Chef Amninder Sandhu, you can look forward to sampling her comforting, wholesome fare with hearty plates like the Stuffed Chicken Tangri with Kalimpong Cheese, Thecha Mutton, Wild Mushroom Kebabs with Truffle and Saffron Biscuits and end on a sweet note with signatures like the Rasmalai Tres Leches with Angoori Rasgulla. Chef Amninder Sandhu’s meals will be cooked out of the kitchens at Rooh, Delhi.
Available from Wednesday to Sunday. Delivering across Delhi-NCR. Pre-order via: Thedinnerbox.in. Tel: 09560288633
This artisanal chocolate brand recently launched its flagship cafe and store. The expansive space is located in a heritage villa and divided into sections that comprise a bean-to-bar chocolate factory as well as a cafe. While you shop for their sustainable chocolate bars, settle in for a quick bite paired with coffee from the casual dining menu, with Italian and European staples; think, sourdough pizzas, pastas, burgers and sandwiches.
Address: Dhan Mill, 100 Feet Road, Chhattarpur, New Delhi. Tel: 09310524620
This Italian kitchen will fix you up with servings of its fresh, artisanal pasta that you can toss together at home. The menu changes monthly, so keep a lookout for new additions. Currently on the menu are handmade pastas like the Basil and Chili Tagliatelle, Pan-seared Pear and Blue Cheese Ravioli, etc. For a quick fix, choose from the house-made Italian sauces on offer.
Pick-ups available from Phase 2, Gurgaon. WhatsApp to order: 09810577069
Gourmet burgers have fast become a delivery favourite. Gobsmackers offers just that with its custom-built burgers. The crisp menu lets you choose from DIY and custom burgers, with fillings that range from black bean adobo to Korean-style pulled pork, paired with your choice of toppings and relishes. For those looking for a gluten-free option, they also have burger bowls that are essentially a salad sans burger buns.
Order via Swiggy, Zomato, Pidge and WeFast. Delivering across Gurgaon, Delhi and Noida. Tel: 09167969935
Hyderabad has a brand new chocolate atelier and café. Foncé, which translates to mean ‘Dark’ in French, is founded by duo Deepa and Jaikar Reddy. The café is a result of their combined love for all things chocolate, and is designed as a sensory experience for visitors. Choose from an assortment of confections, artisanal bon bons, dragées, nougat and more. Apart from popular chocolate pairings, there are some distinct flavour combinations worth trying—think Black Pepper and Cheese, Matcha, Smoked Chocolate, Turmeric and Ginger, etc.
Address: Plot no. 1196/B, Road no. 59, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. Tel: 07032037399
The popular patisserie chain has made its debut in Hyderabad with its first store at Jubilee Hills. You can savour the patisserie’s signature desserts and bakes, from brownies and cookies, cheesecakes, croissants, lush tea cakes, savoury bites and much more.
Shop No. G-3B, Apurupa BDR, Plot No 271, Road No. 10, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. Tel: 08886653160/08886653161
Positioned as a cocktail and petiscos (Portuguese-style tapas) bar, Miguel’s comfortably blends into its heritage neighbourhood with its art-deco interiors and 1920s-style craft cocktails. The compact menu is divided into small bites, wholesome plates and desserts, and you can watch your meals being prepared in the open kitchen. Choose from options like the Rice Crackers with a Coconut & Yogurt emulsion, and Pickled Fish with Celery Caviar, paired with some of their signature cocktails.
Address: HNo 111, Bento Miguel, Old Patto Bridge, Panjim. Tel: 09112222584
This newly launched Goan supermarket and grocery store stocks a wide range of local produce, fresh eggs, authentic Goan spices and pastes, freshly-baked sweets and savouries, vegetables and much more, with a focus on highlighting local farmers and vendors.
Address: Tarcar Mansion House No 4/205/0 Fontainhas, Panjim. Tel: 08010367153
Honey Maiden
This new micro brew pub serves up artisanal brews spread over a two-level space with serene views. Take your pick from offerings like the Mead on tap, a honey and water fermented drink that’s made with local honey sourced from forests in Karnataka, as well as several ales that incorporate flavours of wild honey, cocoa, coffee and other notes. The food menu complements the brews with comforting fare, ranging from bites like the Wasabi Prawns, Tijuana Chicken Tikka, and Tres Leches among other plates.
Address: Whitefield, Main Road. Tel: 08861924449
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