Dim Sum Republic

Review: Chao Ban

Frankly speaking, I was very disappointed when Joss shut. My family was a regular patron and we loved our khowsuey and sticky mushroom rice. I know, I know “there is Umame”, you would argue, but Umame is stupendously over priced for the minuscule portions they serve.

If Farrokh Khambata is hearing me somewhere... We want Joss back! Period.

Coming to Chao Ban, the latest addition to South Mumbai’s ever increasing Chinese food scene. Does it have what it takes to make the cut? Will it give the Lings Pavilions and the China Gardens tough competition? CM is here to find out.

To begin with, Chao Ban is owned by the Global Kitchen Group, which runs Irish House & Serafina. For Chao Ban they have got onboard famed Baba Ling’s (of Lings Pavilion) brother who consults them on their menu.

The almost 12 page menu boasts of extensive variety of dim sums – steamed, fried, pan fried, soaked & Cheung fun.

Hot Xian Soup

We started off with the soups, not the usual hot & sours and manchows thankfully, we go in for the Hot Xian Soup – a thick orangish red soup with a mix of chicken and seafood – quite bland and not very flavourful. Can be avoided

Chive and Prawn Dumplings

The Chive and Prawn Dumplings – delicate parcel of heaven. Must have!

Non-Veg platter 

The Non-Veg platter – a variety of fried, pan fried dumplings with spring rolls and barbecue wings (yeah I don’t know what that is doing on the menu). The pan fried dumplings were yum but everything on this platter was soaked in oil!

The Chicken and Mushroom Bao – delectable savory mixture wrapped in the slightly sweet bun.

Soaked Chicken Dumpling in Soy Chilli sauce

The Soaked Chicken Dumpling in Soy Chilli sauce was delectable. Chicken Dimsums soaked in light balmy soy gravy topped with garlic shavings

Crispy Prawn Cheung Fun 

The Crispy Prawn Cheung Fun can be described in one word - Immaculate!

The Sticky Rice wrapped in Lotus Leaf with Chicken was yum but a tad bit oily.

Stewed Chicken with Bamboo Shoots,
Mushrooms & Chinese herbs

In the mains we order for the Stewed Chicken with Bamboo Shoots, Mushrooms & Chinese herbs – a dish full of potent flavours, the gingery-peppery aroma can get to you. Pair this with a portion of fried rice and you will be set.

Pan Fried Noodles 

The Pan Fried Noodles – rice noodles covered with a thick white sauce and exotic vegetables. Very earthy not as over powering as the chicken but delicious.

My overall take

 -- The quantity of the appetizers is poor eg. dimsums were just 3 pieces per portion but the quantity of main course is HUGE

 -- The food could be a tad bit oily

On an average a meal would cost Rs 2000 for 2 without alcohol

Verdict:

Food: Good

Ambience:  Chic

Service: Good

Quick Tip: Go there for the dimsums...the Crispy Prawn Cheung Fun & soaked Dimsums are a must!

The Co-ordinates:

Chao Ban

Where: Rampart Row, Ground Floor, 30, K. Dubhash Marg, Kala Ghoda, Colaba, Mumbai

Tring Tring: 02249150050, 02249150055

Timings: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Food Type: Chinese, Fusion Asian

Payment Methods: Visa, Master, Cash, Credit Card Accepted

Idol Worship

Review – Joss

The word Joss stands for a Chinese deity or house idol. I can’t seem to figure out why Farrokh Khambhatta, chef & restaurateur would name his first fine dining restaurant that but nevertheless Joss definitely seems to have created a niche for itself amongst restaurants serving oriental fare. Located in the art hub of the city – Kala Ghoda, Joss was incorporated in the year 2004. With it’s unique menu boasting of Oriental Crab Bisque, the Crisp but Tender Peking Inspired Duck, Nonya Bamboo Chicken, Balinese Clay Pot of Zucchini, Young Corn, Broccoli, it adds a level of panache to fusion cuisine.

The restaurant spans over 2 floors, very spacious with a swanky décor of South Asian Wooden curios. The plush white interiors with mellow lighting and wooden furniture make for a very pleasant dining ambience and mind you it is always very crowded so better get you reservation in order. Co-ordinates given below.

Khowsuey

We start with Chicken Khowsuey, one of Joss’ signature dishes. Yes I know Khowsuey is more like a main dish but for my family & me it’s a soup and something with which we always start our meal with when at Joss. The Joss Khowsuey is actually more of a broth with the right consistency not very thick not very thin unlike the thick versions served at places like Flamboyant and Busaba. The dish is combination of brilliant flavours and exquisite taste. I prefer this khowsuey to any other, I have been served as yet.

In the appetizers, we order for the Water Chestnuts stuffed in Corn Curd with Lemon Chilli Dip – imagine water chestnuts surrounded by soft almost cotton like pureed corn on the inside and crispy on the outside served on a spoon and lightly drizzled with lemon chilli sauce. Beautiful and yummy!  The Korean Barbeque Chicken is more like Moghlai Chicken Tikka, not something you would expect at an oriental restaurant!

Mushroom Sticky Rice

Broccoli Baby-Corn and Water Chestnuts in Burnt Red Chili and Soy Sauce

For the main course we order for the Mushroom Sticky rice – thick grained rice mixed with loads of butter, garlic and mushrooms – silky smooth just the melt in the mouth combination! If I had it my way I could just have this by itself. The Chicken with Star Anise and XO Glaze  - brought with a brilliant star anise aroma when served and tasted as delicious! However the chicken breast pieces, that were coated in egg, flour and fried were very chewy not very appetizing. The Green Chicken Thai Curry is good by Indian standards better than what you get at most places but can hardly match up to the authentic thai curry. The Chicken in Sambhol Curry is also brilliant very similar to the Thai Curry but again the chicken is very chewy! In the vegetarian fare there also is an equal variety with exotic ingredients like snow peas, water chestnuts, Shitake Mushrooms! We order for Broccoli Baby-Corn and Water Chestnuts in Burnt Red Chili and Soy Sauce – the flavours of the burnt chilli pieces, garlic and soy sauce totally complement each other to create magic in our mouths! The Teppan Soba Wheat Noodle on the other hand look like tape worms and are very chewy so highly not recommended whereas the Pan Fried Noodle are delectable.

Now beware because all this ‘yummness’ comes at a price. So a meal for 2 would come up to anything between Rs 1500 – 2000 per head without alcohol

Verdict

Food: Great Variety and Delectable

Ambience: Good but could get noisy on weekends

Service: Courteous, they suggest well

Quicktip: If you enjoy experimenting with oriental fare, Joss is a must go. Take along a friend, a date or family (if they like experimenting that is) and you will get a taste of the exquisite. But be sure to shell out some ‘Bapu’s’ for that.

The Co-ordinates

Joss, 30, K. Dubhash Marg, Next to Chetana Restaurant, Kala Ghoda, Colaba , Mumbai

Phone: 66356908, 66334233

Timings: 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM, 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM

Food Type: Pan-Asian,Fusion, Sri Lankan, Malaysian, Thai, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese

Serves Alcohol: Yes

Payment Methods: Credit cards accepted