A Classic of Cuffee Parade -Flamboyante by Amrish Arora

Flamboyante has a classy & ambiance with the luxury of space, that too in an area like Cuffe Parade - making it a hautest venue for meals, meeting joint or a café .

 

 It's a cozy sprawl with classic off whites walls, high arched ceiling - Buffet Serving/live food counter on one corner and a huge bar on another end gives this place an easy comfort vibe.

The extensive menu runs to fresh salads, soups, oriental & Indian fare to pizzas & pastas, and the great value lunch buffets, available throughout the week, shouldn't be missed. Celebrate Sundays with a spirited brunch spread: kebabs, pizzas, dim sum, chaat & more!

While there are several craft beers are on tap, it was the cocktails that we were keen to try. They have a few good options in whiskey and Gin but coming to cocktails - there's a limited choice.

Margarita, Gin Smash and Whiskey sour were refreshing but again - whiskey Sour had that peculiar smell of Egg - which made me return the drink.  Long Island icetea was impressive enough to get us rolling.

The great value lunch buffets, available throughout the week, shouldn't be missed. Celebrate Sundays with a spirited brunch spread: kebabs, pizzas, dim sum, chaat & more!

A La Carte - The extensive menu runs from oriental fare -  starters, Dimsums, Baos, sushi, and fusion Asian nachos to tread salad and soup. The other part of the menu had classic Indian Fare - running down to favorite Pizza, Pastas & luscious desserts.

Coming to the food, we started our meal with ordering Crusty Mustard chicken, Butter Milk Crispy chicken Bao and Burmese Khao suey from the Oriental section. While Crusty Mustard chicken can be avoided - the crispy chicken Bao and the iconic khowsuey are something you will want to savor till the end (ironically Bao’s arrived at the end). The wholesome Khowsuey Bowl comes with an option of Veg/Prawn/ Chicken and wholesome array of condiments was the best I have tasted.

Next on a list was a specially created tikka platter for us - with Lucknowi Dahi Kebab, Bhuttey Methi k seekh, Kashmiri Chicken Tikka, Murg Bazaari kebab ,Galuti kebabs and Kakori kebabs. It was a huge hit but lamb might let you down.

With scrumptious food options, we opted to order a  Half an Half BBQ Chicken Pizza /Pepperoni Pizza [With added Truffle Oil] and Pink Sauce pasta.

Pasta didn't impress us and had a very sour aftertaste which was highlighted to the waiting staff.

A good dessert is obviously a good end to the meal and that's obviously happened with their legendary Chocolate Mudpie and Mikado Cake Slice.

PS - With this, excited to try Amrish Arora's newly launched Hammer &Song !!

Where to find best Punjabi Food in Mumbai : The Classiest "Singh Saab", chembur

Singh Saab is a restaurant that focuses on tried-and-true, authentic north Indian food. The chefs and staff are passionate about bringing the best of Punjabi food and culture to discerning diners in Chembur.

               

This place serves Exclusive north Indian cuisine with a twist and progressive presentation. It will surely win your heart with their quality food and generous portion sizes! However, a longer waiting time might discourage you to visit this place but then table reservations come handy.

The restaurant truly lives up to the name of Singh Saab and has presented North Indian in contemporary yet tasteful methods. From Tandoori chicken on sword.. To rich Punjabi cuisine,  To flaming gulab jamuns, To Rabri and Gulab jamun... SIGH SAAB HAS IT ALL...

Although the place is tiny, the ambience gives it a classy feel. Making the whole experience Fantastic.... So to sum it up we can actually say... SINGH SAAB THE GREAT.  The design makes it feel like you’re in a high-end restaurant with some décor elements from Punjab

With a taste of marvelous cuisine to the essence of its Punjabi lassi.... And its amazing and innovative serving, Singh Saab is surely going to leave a mark with its unique presentation and scrumptious offering. Last but not the least the Pan flavored ice cream that makes your meal perfect and aesthetic ones...

PS - For people staying in Town and western suburbs - Don’t let the distance stop you from checking out this place.

Peninsula - Hotel Peninsula Grand, Sakinaka

‘’Peninsula’’ in Peninsula Grand Hotel - a place to spend an evening with your family & friends which offers some delicious food with live Indian classical music in backdrop perfectly supported with its top class hospitality - that assures that you are well taken care off. 

                      

I’m extremely excited to mention their ‘strawberry mint julep’ – it is mindful blend of fresh strawberry, fine chopped mint and their organic colours. The aroma of strawberry and mint entices your taste buds and refreshes your senses, making it a worthy drink for that ambience!

Followed by Limited Edition Mango Drink – It was simple yet elegant & No frill Drink. The taste was predictable, but fresh mango pieces made it irresistible.

 Indian Delicacies vary significantly from each other with its local ingredients and traditional cooking methods. The chef excels in conquering all the flavours making their food the USP of this place.

Apart from offering the range of diversified Indian classical Indian fare, they also serve lip-smacking Chinese and Oriental Cuisine.

Veg Platter

From well-assorted veg platter to flavoursome non-veg platter, we have had plethora of options to grub upon. In all, we have had Naram Dilli Kebab, Methi Corn Seekh Kebab, Paneer Tikka, Mushroom Tandoori, Potato & Cauliflower Tandoori in Veg Platter and Reshmi Tikka, Pahadi Tikka,Tandoori Murg, Prawns, Nizami Seekh Kebab in Non-Veg one. It doesn’t end here, they have three different chutneys/sauces – Mint chutney, mustard chutney & tomato based chutney and they are best accompaniments with the snacks. From Fish tikka with mustard sauce, to perfectly tasting hot n sour soup filled with exotic veggies, it was truly a magnificent feast.

Non-veg Platter

Since we were too full after appetisers, Mr. Prakash Kotian advised us to try something from oriental menu and brought us Thai Curry with steamed rice. Basil and Seasoned mushrooms made it amazing with its delicate flavours.

Thai curry with Steamed Rice

In desserts, they got us Madhur Milap - a wonderful concoction of Gulab Jamun on bed of Bundi topped with rich and Creamy Rabdi and a thick layer of Solidified Milk served in a cocktail glass and I must say that it was exceptional.

Madhur Milap

We ended this Gastronomical journey with pan shots.

Pan Shots

Special Mango Drink

             
 PS - My experience at peninsula grand was a sheer delight with variety of food options, delicious taste of flavours, excellent hospitality service accompanied with the heart touching ghazal.

                                           

Pizza Box, Vile Parle(E)

A quaint little pizza joint tucked on Hanuman Road,Vile Parle (E).

My first interaction with this brand happened in Dec 2014, at a college festival in Juhu and the Recent interaction with Pizza Box happened to be on my complimentary visit from zomato and all these times, Pizza box has never disappointed me.

                 

I must say they are a perfectionist in thin crust. Their thin crust goes perfectly well with their elegant toppings. This time I have tried their multi-grain thin crust pizza and it did take a lot of time to be served but definitely worth the wait. And the best part is that while I was inquiring about the delays, the staff assured me that they make fresh dough and have informed the same while placing the order.
I am completely in love with their Barbeque paneer and garlicky mushroom pizza - what a brilliant concoction and the pepperoni Cheese pizza.

BBQ paneer & Mushroom Pizza

The paneer and chicken Stromboli couldn't be given a miss as the marinated proteins with cheese wrapped in bread are rich in flavour and are served with an amazing salsa which adds more flavours to it.
The chicken pizza cones are good but the veg ones can totally be avoided as the vegetable give a raw taste.

The place is small with indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor seating though only have 3 table, but the setting is very sophisticated and comfortable with a colour combination of white and red.

An amazing place to quench your pizza cravings with simplistic and elegant toppings.
PS - It is sometimes difficult to find a table.