Ever wondered what flaming sherbets, rabri foam or rasmalai cheesecake would taste like? Thanks to molecular gastronomy, you can now try all these dishes and more at some of Mumbai’s finest restaurants.

Molecular gastronomy, an exciting culinary trend in haute cuisine, is a food science that uses unique scientific principles to develop well-presented food. It has taken the city by storm and has not only revolutionized traditional cooking but has also transformed dining into an extraordinary experience. Our city houses a bunch of talented chefs who make each dessert look Instagram worthy without compromising on taste and quality. It is basically the kind of stuff you fantasized about while watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and are now experiencing for real on your table.

Here’s a list of a few exciting desserts that you can treat yourself to at some of the city’s renowned restaurants.

1) Chai ice cream, Masala foam, Dalchini cookies at Masala Library –
Zorawar Kalra, the man who introduced molecular gastronomy to Indian cuisine for the first time in India is the brainchild behind this unique dessert combination available at his restaurant. Made with homemade chai ice cream, topped with cutting chai foam and served with masala cinnamon cookies, who ever thought chai and ice cream would go well together?
Price – INR 475 ++
Address – Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra, Ground Floor, First International Financial Centre, Bandra-Kurla Complex, (BKC) Bandra (East), Mumbai.
For reservation: +91 8452900900 | +91 8454900900 | +91 22 66424142

2) Big Bang Theory at Joss & Umame –
We’ve all studied the planetary system in school. But how many of us have actually seen or heard about an edible galaxy? Farrokh Khambata’s prominent Pan-Asian restaurants, Joss & Umame give you a chance to experience the planetary system live on your table. A specialized pastry chef lays out a silicon mat and prepares stars, planets, asteroids and a stardust…all of which are consumable! All this is cooled to a minus 200-degree temperature with liquid nitrogen and then served as the ingenious Big Bang Theory.
Price – INR 1750 ++
Address – Joss, Savoy Chambers, Linking Road Extension, Santacruz West, Mumbai 400 054. For reservation: +91 22 26617772

Address – Umame, Cambata Building, Eros Theatre Building, M Karve Road, Churchgate, Mumbai 400 020.
For reservation: +91 22 61110303

3) Baked Jalebi Cheesecake with Saffron Espuma at Gallops –
When you hear that the Italian cheesecake has been mixed with the local Jalebi, you know you’re in for a treat. Philly cream cheese combined with jalebi is served with a saffron Espuma. An in-house saffron extract is then combined with Soy lecithin and liquid glucose to make the Espuma base that is then foamed with Nitrogen dioxide using an ISI whip cream whipper. With a burst of flavours, this is one hell of a palate pleaser.
Price – INR 325 ++
Address – Gallops, Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mahalaxmi, Worli, Mumbai.
For reservation: +91 22 30151130

4) Paan Mousse at Spiceklub –
Lower Parel’s famous vegetarian restaurant known for its pav bhaji fondue, test tube pani-puri, deconstructed wada pav and more offers a variety of molecular desserts on their menu. From a chocolate soap that is actually served on a soap tray to a bubbling kulfi, selecting a dessert here seems like life’s greatest problem. However, out of all their various offerings, the Paan Mousse, their signature dessert, has a delicious cheesecake filling inside a paan-flavoured crust that is sure to blow your mind. It’s time to challenge your roadside paanwala. He will never be able to replicate this.
Price – INR 355 ++
Address – 8, Senapati Bapat Road, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013.
For reservation: +91 22 24925544

5) Chocolate Explosion at Quattro –
Known for its innovative dishes and desserts, Quattro is a favourite among vegetarians. By introducing a separate molecular menu, they promise to offer guests a wide variety of delicious food and scrumptious desserts presented in a way one will find hard to forget. The Chocolate Explosion is a chocolate shell filled with chocolate mousse, served on frozen chocolate sand with orange and mango chocolate covered jello. Beware…we guarantee a chocolate rush!
Price – INR 475 ++
Address – 7, Janta India Estate, Senapati Bapat Marg, Opposite Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013.
For reservation: +91 22 67496444

6) Antioxidant at La Folie –
Chef Sanjana Patel of La Folie created this modern day dessert that consists of a light fragrant rose panna cotta on a bed of champagne caviar and compote jelly of red berries and beat root juice with a test tube of anti-oxidant red berry juice. The Antioxidant contains no sugar, no carbohydrates and is eggless and gluten free. It is also a seasonal dessert that is available only during the autumn/winter months. However, one can also indulge in it on an order basis. We promise, you won’t be able to stop yourself at a bite.
Price – INR 375 ++
Address – No. 16, Commerce House, Rope, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400 001. For reservation: +91 22 22672686

7) Destruction of Olympus at Kipos –
Home made Vanilla ice cream, frozen chocolate mousse, choice of cake or panna cotta, apple chips, fresh orange, chocolate compote and mint caviar combined with liquid nitrogen is what this dessert is all about. Only if all destructions were as soul satisfying as this one!
Price – INR 1200 ++
Address – Kipos, 5th Floor, Crystal Shopping Paradise, Off Linking Road, Bandra West
For reservation: +91 22 26488567

8) 24K Gold Marzipan Premium Kandie at Nordic Kandie –
Nordic Kandie, a tiny little kandie bar at Peddar Road offers delicious marzipan kandies that are sure to leave you craving for more. Their 24K gold marzipan is a premium kandie that is made using top quality mamra almonds, organic sugar and belgium chocolate. While real gold prices are rising by the day, this one won’t leave a hole in your pocket. Satisfy yourself with this 100% vegetarian, gluten & trans-fat free gold marzipan kandie and experience quality at its best.
Price – INR 160 ++
Address – Nordic Kandie, Peddar Road, Shop #1, Vasant Villa, 3 Peddar Road, Kemps Corner, Mumbai 400 036.
For booking: +91 7666122211 | +91 9699641112

9) Rocky Road at Ellipsis –
If you’re the sort of person that likes experimenting with food, this is one dessert you cannot miss. Made with burnt marshmallows, vanilla bean ice cream, cookies, salted caramel, chocolate mousse and peanuts; Ellipsis’ Rocky Road is the kind of dessert that will make you drool even in your sleep.
Price – INR 750 ++
Address – B-1, Amarchand Mansion, 16, Madame Cama Road, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400 001.
For reservation: +91 22 66213333

10) Chocolate Raspberry Sphere at Hakkasan –
An authentic Chinese restaurant that serves lip-smacking main course dishes and beautifully crafted desserts, Hakkasan is a must-try for every Chinese lover. The Chocolate Raspberry Sphere, a popular dessert on their menu is an absolute delight for a chocoholic. A chocolate raspberry sphere is placed on cake crumble and served with a scoop of ice cream. If you want to experience what heaven feels like, don’t forget to bite into this luscious dessert.
Price – INR 500 ++
Address – 2nd Floor, Krystal Building, Waterfield Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400 050.
For reservation: +91 22 26444444

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