Mumbai, a paradise for food lovers offers something for every palate. But if you’re a foodie like me, selecting a restaurant is even more difficult than choosing a career….especially since there are so many new places opening up week after week. Sigh! So I decided to make life easier for you by sharing my experience at two lovely places, opening this weekend. While one is perfectly located at the bustling High Street Phoenix, the other is set right in the heart of Linking Road, Bandra. Both are great options to consider this weekend so if you land up going to either/both, let me know what you think 🙂
1) Jamie’s Pizzeria by Jamie Oliver:
We all know who Jamie Oliver is, don’t we? One of the world’s best-loved celebrity chefs who has not only made cooking fun for people like me but has also inspired thousands to understand and enjoy better food with his popular shows and YouTube channel. His belief in good food is what his restaurants, Jamie’s Pizzeria and Jamie’s Italian are built on. Since the former has finally come to Mumbai (after opening two branches in NCR), I’m pretty sure everyone is excited to know what’s in store.
Unlike Jamie’s Italian, the pizzeria has a more laid back atmosphere where anyone can come, grab a bite, have a drink, and just relax. Rustic, simple dishes are made from the best seasonal ingredients and are fresh and flavorful. Their dough is also prepared in the store every day and is complemented with the best toppings. The menu is a blend of traditional best‐selling Italian and contemporary dishes with a Jamie Oliver twist. However, don’t miss out on their ‘Today’s Special’ – a dish/dessert prepared with seasonal ingredients that changes everyday.
What I tried:
– Fritto Misto
– Chicken & mushroom lasagne
– Chilli Freak Pizza
– The Tuscan Pizza
– Homemade ginger beer
– Raspberry sorbet
– Proper Tiramisu with orange zest
– Affogato
What impressed me:
– As you enter, you can’t miss the panoramic cityscape featuring Mumbai’s iconic tourist spots like the Bandra-Worli sea-link, Gateway of India and The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Not just that, it also includes the city’s famous dabbawallas, cutting chai stalls, modes of transport (kaali – peeli, local train & rickshaw), among other things. The creative art work highlighting a day in the life of Mumbai surely gives the space a true essence of the city.
– It’s pocket-friendly…Surprisingly! Everything on the menu is below Rs. 600 which is really awesome, considering how crazy expensive dining out is these days.
– Coming to the food, the Fritto Misto consisting of melt-in-the-mouth fish, prawns and squid, served with a chunky Italian tartare sauce with pickled olives is battered and fried to perfection.
– The Chilli Freak Pizza made with their secret chilli sauce, jalapenos, vegetarian Parmesan, fresh chilli and mint is their signature pizza introduced specially for Indian outlets. Unbearably spicy with an equally hot after-taste; worth trying only if you’re a spice lover. Trust me when I say this, your mouth will be on fire for atleast 3-4 mins, if not more.
– The Tuscan is a nice, feel-good pizza with dry-cured pork ham, crushed tomatoes, mature Cheddar, mozzarella and rocket – amazing textures and flavors. How can anything with ham not taste good! Creamy mozzarella perfectly balances the sharp hints of matured cheddar along with the saltiness of the dry-cured ham leaving you with a burst of beautiful flavors in your mouth.
– Homemade ginger beer is cool, refreshing and light. #FYI – Ginger Beer is a naturally sweetened and carbonated non-alcoholic beverage produced by the natural fermentation of ginger spice, yeast and sugar.
– Desserts are simple yet flavorful. The sorbet is fresh and fruity while the tiramisu has an interesting tinge of orange which actually makes it quite different from the regular version. The Affogato – vanilla ice cream ‘drowned’ (as they describe it on the menu) in hot espresso ticks all the right notes. Hot espresso adds a beautiful punch while simultaneously complimenting the sweetness of the ice cream.
Overall, had an enjoyable experience. The only thing missing was Jamie Oliver himself 🙂
2) Poetry by Love & Cheesecake:
If you’re walking at the bustling by lanes of Bandra, don’t miss out on this cutesy, all-day cafe from the founders of popular dessert brand, Love & Cheesecake.
Nestled in the heart of the suburbs, Poetry by Love & Cheesecake offers an extensive breakfast, dining and dessert menu that can be enjoyed in the comfort of a cosy and relaxed ambiance. The interiors are simple yet elegant and the space is warm and welcoming. Whether you’re seated at the top section or down, they provide good service and their servers are extremely kind and helpful too. Chef Amit Sharma and his team promise to offer delicate yet wholesome food made with the freshest ingredients and packed with flavors.
What I tried:
– Dark Knight
– Chopped Black Kale
– Ceaser Salad with Grilled Chicken
– Poached Eggs & Avocado on a Croissant
– Warm Roasted Vegetables
– BBQ Smothered Chicken
– The Diplomat Mousse
– Devil’s Desire
– Crème Brûlée
What impressed me:
– The Dark Knight smoothie made with cacao, walnut, oats, yogurt, honey and banana though heavy is a flavorful early-morning pick-me-up
– Chopped Black Kale made with kale, almond slivers, aged gouda cheese, grated Parmesan and anchovy dressing is a perfect mid-day salad. The distinctive flavor of aged gouda blends in beautifully with the crunchiness of the kale and the anchovy dressing subtly lifts up all the flavors.
– Silky-smooth, pillowy soft poached egg, zingy avocado salsa and flaky croissant…Need I say more? This one is a sure shot winner!
– Eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms and Mozarella delicately placed on warm Focaccia with a delicious pesto spread make this a hearty sandwich that can be enjoyed at any time.
– BBQ Smothered Chicken with home made creamy bbq sauce, grilled chicken and Cheddar makes this panini a wholesome meal by itself.
– Crème brûlée is perfectly done: creamy, crunchy, not too sweet – all in one bite. From the other two desserts, I can’t decide if I like the smooth textured Diplomat Mousse (caramel mousse and toffee) more or the dark and dense Devil’s Desire (dark chocolate and brownie) served on a stick. All three desserts have different textures and flavors that make them stand out on their own.
Overall, had a great experience and will surely go back to sample the other items on their extensive menu.
Address:
Jamie’s Pizzeria by Jamie Oliver:
High Street Phoenix, Opposite PVR, Lower Parel, Mumbai.
Poetry by Love & Cheesecake:
Shop No. 6, Pali Darshan, Junction of 16th & 33rd Road, Opposite Mini Punjab, Bandra, Mumbai.
That Foodie Chick 