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Jam Session

Review: Jam Jar Diner

Marrying a foodie has its benefits. They will go to any lengths to find the best places to eat, ensure you are upto date on any new restaurants and you don’t have to visit any websites to check reviews cause you have your own personal ‘Zomato’ . They pride that. But then there is a flip side to it as well. They will wake you up on a Sunday morning and make you drive 30 km just to try a restaurant. 

Warning: Don’t marry a foodie, if you don’t want to share their love for food. 

And that’s exactly what I did. I convinced my (co-orperative) husband to skip breakfast take me and my mother in law for brunch. A long listless drive all the way from Thane to gloomy Versova. Eerie yet beautiful, we reached in flat 45 mins. Jam Jar is located in the aptly named Aram Nagar opposite an array of buildings which face the beautiful Arabian Sea. The quirky décor of rickety haphazard book shelves, colourful bird cages and a juke box makes for a very pleasing ambience. It also has this beautiful al fresco seating on top which could be quiet pleasant in this weather especially at nights. The menu is designed in a typical ‘American Diner’ way with a comprehensive range of breakfast options, cocktails, continental mains and deserts.

 

The Fluffy Egg White Omlette with mushrooms and cheese is beautifully well done (that’s how I like mine).

The Masala Omlette too was scrumptious.

The regular omlettes come with bread. Sides will cost additionally.

 

The Full Monty was a wholesome treat with bacon, sausages and baked beans. My husband devoured it till the last bite. 

The Ceasar Salad with Chicken was a ginormous bowl of soulfull food. One of the best I have had so far. The fresh watermelon juice was good as well.

 

We ended this on a sweet note, like literally, Fluffy Pancakes with Berry Compote and Whiped Cream. Ambrosia. 

Like Mother (in law) like Daughter (in law)

Jam Jar definitely is a must visit, the food quality is excellent and so is the fact that there is a plethora of options to choose from. 

MuseTip: Drive down like we did, on a Sunday Morning, for a quiet brunch and follow it up with a walk on the beach. Then come home and nap it. Trust me it will be one of the best naps you have had. 

The Happy Family

 

How to get there 

Jam Jar Diner+91 7506640066/022 26358880

Versova, Andheri West › 7A & B, Arram Nagar 2, Behind Washing Bay, Yari Road, Versova, Andheri West 4000619 AM to 1 AM

 

Waah Ustad!

Review: Masalchi Ustad

Agla station Bandra, next station baaaandra gets a new takeaway joint.  Masalchi Ustaad claims to be an 'indian QSR'.  Now thats an oxymoron! The complication involved in preparation with its myriad of ingredients and long drawn cooking process' makes it very hard for any Indian dish to be quick! And not to forget it would always be incomplete without being paired with with the accompaniments like chutney pickle etc.

The Kebab Platter

Nevertheless, Masalchi Ustad boasts of some indian fusion dishes - Naan Turnover, Basa Fish with Orange Malta sauce, basil chicken tikka as well as the regular mogul fair - Nalli Nihari, Kebabs & butter chicken.

Culinary Muse decided to give this 'so called' QSR a shot.

The Naan Turnover are hot  stuffed naan pockets with butter chicken like gravy and hints of molten cheese on the edges. Quite a sumptuous meal in itself. Although i found the filling is a bit sweet though

Naan turnover

As part of the kebab platter we had:

The Seekh kebab was succulent and beautiful

Billayati Murg Tikka

The billayati murg tikka was beautiful and silky

The Murg Sunheri kebab was also delectable 

Aftabi fish tikka

The Aftabi Fish Tikka - fish kebabs coated with green coriander masala was juicy and delicious

Nalli Nihari

The Nalli Nihari was flavorful but really rich. Those watching their calories must truly avoid

Dal Makhani

The Dal Makhani was wholesome and beautifully flavored. A must try


On the whole Masalchi Ustad is worth a try. Ample quantity and wholesome make it a good option when one has guests over or a party to host. Sadly they only deliver in and around Bandra as yet

MuseTip: The kebabs are sure shot winner!


The Co-ordinates
Masalchi Ustad
Address:Masalchi Ustad, Sherly Rajan Road, Khar, Mumbai
Telephone: 09029077516, 09029077517, 09029077518, 09029077519
Type: Only takeaway

Dumpling Diaries & New Bar Launch

Radio Bar

Bandra gets a new bar – The Radio Bar. Decorated with old school radios, jukeboxes and cassettes, this new hip bar is the latest edition to Linking road alongside the likes of The Daily

The place has some quirks – a wall full of old radios almost telling you a story of the genesis of this machine; a basement where you have a corner for live band performances and another wall, this time full of cassettes. Do you remember those rectangles with two holes in the middle and a thin black tape running inside it? Most of you would not even have been born at the time when these things were a craze

This place is almost like a museum for audio systems!

The drinks were interesting I had the Mojito and Radio Special Cocktail. Quite nice but the food needs some definite working!

Mamagoto

Meanwhile Mamagoto, the fun Asian place gets an all new dumpling menu! “We were being questioned” said a spokesperson, “How can you be an Asian restaurant and not have a dumpling menu? So Voila”

The restaurant turns 5 this month as well and is on an expansion spree. Sources say that after Delhi, Mumbai & Bangalore they are headed to Pune

Mango Cocktail

I first tried the Mango Cocktail - the hint of vanilla and subtle flavour of mango just make this cocktail right to beat the heat this season. Mamagoto infuses their own cocktails

Prawn Crackers

Prawn crackers - beautiful things come in crunchy! I could eat this all along!

Chinese Chicken Puff

The Chinese Chicken Puff - was horrible, you rather eat this at Hersh! They are the best

Gyoza

Street Style Dumpling

The Street Style Spicy Dumpling was nice, silky and melt in the mouth and so was the Old school Gyoza

Tokyo Metro Mantau

The Tokyo Metro Mantau again needed some working. It just tasted like a limp burger

Porky Apple Mantau

The Porky Apple Mantau Makeover was sweet as hell. It might as well be on the dessert menu

Muse Tip: Drinking plan with office colleagues head to Radio Bar and then hop into Mamagoto to eat yummy dimsums and fight the hangover!

The Co-ordinates

Radio Bar - Ground Floor, Hotel New Castle, Linking Road Bandra

Mamagoto - 133, Ground Floor, Gazebo House Hill Road Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Hoppiness!

Review: Hoppipola

It’s been some time since I wrote. 6 months more like it! In between I got married, shifted to another town, got back to work and I am now dealing with the pl/reasures of marital bliss.

I have to admit, I had my apprehensions. Managing a chaos called the wedding, leaving my home, more importantly my bed, moving to a place called ‘khopat’ from a place called ‘colaba’, living in a different house and most of all living with a boy!  A boy I had no doubts about loving but nevertheless a boy. I didn't think this would survive without any of us getting hurt. But I was wrong. Completely, thoroughly, perfectly, fully wrong!

This boy and his mom take care of me like no one else. From waking me up in the morning, to redefining their living as per my notions, to eating mushrooms (Mushrooms never entered the Vaidya household, they were thought to be by products of dog pee. Ridiculous I know.)

Marriage isn’t a nightmare after all, or am I making this statement too early? Nevertheless, am willing to take a chance. Learning to share your life with someone is the greatest gift or curse, depends on what you work towards making it.

So today, I officially get back to my promise of bringing to you the yummy, the delicious and the most extra-ordinary food experiences.

My latest discovery is Hoppipola - Icelandic: jumping in puddles. With outlets in Mumbai & Pune, Hoppipola is this quirky place that has slate boards as tables and games to keep your brain occupied.

Blaring loud music greets you on entering and you can’t help but notice the ‘Greek’ feel to this place with white washed walls and blue rims

The menu too, is pretty quirky with dishes named like ‘Lambada, Fishful thinking’. A lot of thought seems to have gone into designing the idea behind this place.

Watermelon & Basil Mojito

We begin with the Watermelon & Basil Mojito – quite a refreshing drink, but I would vote the one at Mamagoto is better any day

Aila Aioli Chicken Skewers

The Aila Aioli – Chicken skewers topped with aioli was brilliant & succulent

Harissian

Next was Harissian – I personally don’t prefer Basa, find it quite tasteless but the this dish of fish skewers generously rubbed with spices tasted beautiful

Fishful Thinking – the regular fish fingers

Chiseled Prawns

Chiseled Prawns – now this was a show stopper! Prawns cooked in garlic and spices with beautiful tangy flavour. A must try

Lambada

Lambada – soft lamb kebabs on pita. Again a must try

On the whole, I really liked the place & its vibe

Muse Tip: Go there on the weekend with a group of friends, enjoy the music and play some board games while you enjoy your drinks and starters

Co-ordinates

Hoppipola

Address: 136 & 138 A, Galleria Shopping Centre, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai

Phone: 022 40150436

Cuisine: Snacks, Finger food, Continental

Credit Cards: Accepted

The Sushegad Life (2)

Review: Sushegad Gomantak

Once in a while you discover an unassuming restaurant that makes you want to kiss the chef’s hands. Sushegad Gomantak is one of those. Owned & managed by a mother and son duo, the chef here is the mother – a lady who seemed to be in her mid 50’s.

My boss, a proud Goan, decided to treat me and a few other colleagues to this place. A stout man, my boss has had access to the best of ‘Goan’ food in his life so if he recommends something I’ll go with it blindly. But that is only limited to ‘Goan’ food, his choices for other things? Well let’s not get there, high possibilities of me losing my job

A hole in the wall, Sushegad Gomantak barely can accommodate 20 people at one time. With the famous Sneha (Mallu cuisine) & Kakori House as its neighbours this place may just go unnoticed.

My boss begins talking to the lady in full Konkani while ordering our food. It’s quite amusing to hear this man, who yells at the top of his lungs in office, to speak in this saccharine tone. I savour the moment; it’s very rare after all!

Rava Prawns

We begin with the Rava Prawns – a traditional goan delicacy, these are simply batter fried prawns. You can’t go wrong with this and aunty does full justice.

Tisrya Masala

We move on to the Tisrya Masala – clams cooked in freshly ground spicy coconut masala. Finger-licking goodness!

Stuffed Bombil

We move on to the Stuffed Bombil – This is the best I have ever tasted. Bombil batter fried in rava and stuffed with some really delicious masala. This is a #MuseMustEat

Prawn Cutlets

We then had the Prawn Cutlets – melt in the mouth patties of shrimp. Again yummy in my tummy!

Prawn Curry

Crab Masala

We ended the meal with Prawn Curry and Crab Masala  – both flavoured with the tanginess of kokum and the balminess of coconut. Pair these with bhakri (rice flour pancakes/dosas), Vade (multigrain puris) or just some steamed rice and you will know no other love. Eat it with your hands and experience the myriad of flavours with all your senses.

The Co-ordinates

Sushegad Gomantak

Shop No. A 11, Shiv Sagar Society, L J Road, Mahim, Opposite Paradise Cinema, Mumbai

02224445555

No Credit/Debit Cards facility

Goan Cuisine, Seafood

Ramadan Kareem

The holy month of Ramzan is here. During this month, faithful observers throughout the world fast and offer prayers from Sahour (sunrise) to Iftar (sunset). This is then followed by a delectable feast.

Last week, Muse got the chance to explore the by lanes of Bhendi Bazaar in search of the best iftar dishes. A melting pot of culture & cuisine, Bhendi Bazaar offers some of the best eateries. The tour was organised by Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT), an organisation that is altruistically working towards the development of this area at the same time maintaining its cultural essence.

Here’s a list of #MuseMustEats on your next trip to Bhendi Bazaar -

Haji Tikka

1.    Khiri (udders) @ Haji Tikka

The buttery texture of this meat coalesces with its crunchy crust, making it so yum, you literally cannot eat just one!

Khiri

Khan saheb owner of Haji Tikka talking to us about how khiri is prepared

Tawa fare @ India. On top you can see the Naan Chop

2.    Naan Chaap @ Indian

Bhendi Bazaar’s very own take on The Burger, this bun and patty combination will make your dil go hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

3.    Nalli Nihari @Surti Bara Handi

Usually a breakfast item, the dish is now available even in the evenings. An explosion of spices steeped in rich gravy & lard, this mutton stew will transport you back to the era of the Nawabs.

Seekh

4.    Seekh @ Haji Tikka

Succulent rolls of minced meat adequately spiced!

5.    Baida Roti @ Indian

Yummy keema (mince) wrapped in silky egg coated roti. It was the perfect amalgamation of meat & egg!

Pichota

6.    Pichota @ Surti Baara Handi

Now, that’s how exotic I could get with meat. Pichota or tail is meant to be a delicacy in some cultures. You have to try this one. Statutory Warning: This may be followed by a cardiac arrest!

Malpua

7.    Malpua @ Tawakkal

These luscious discs fried in a huge kadaai tasted nectarious. Pair it with Malai (cream)

Assorted Phirni

8.    Naan @ Vallibhai

The Pichota & Nalli Nihari are incomplete without Vallibhai’s naan. Roasted in a traditional earthen oven, these naans have a distinct flavour to it!

Mango Barfi with mithai

9.    Mango Barfee @ Tawakkal

Everyone gushes about the phirni at Tawakkal but my personal favourite is the Mango Barfi. The pillow-like texture and dulcet taste is what heavens are made of!

And guess who Muse met?

Chef Vicky Ratnani with Muse

How to find these places?

Indian Hotel

92/96, Shop No.1/2, Bohri Mohalla, Khara Tank Road, Bhendi Bazaar

Ph 022-23460687, 9819047255

Haji Tikka

76, Raudat Tahera Street, Opp Evan-e-Husseni Hall



Tawakkal Sweets

26, Khara Tank Road, Bohri Mohalla, Bhendi Bazaar

Ph 022-23466360/53

Surti 12 Handi & Vallibhai

12, Dharamsey Cross Street, Bohri Mohalla

Ph 9819305788.