Back to Bombay Favourites

Now that I’m back in Bombay for the next couple of months, I’m so pleased to be able to finally launch the “India Chapter” of TFD. Do watch this space, as I bring you the low down on the hottest restaurants around town, as well as bringing in a lifestyle focus to the blog, covering the city’s thriving cultural scene from art to fashion!

But to kick off the series, it feels only right to start with a post that recaps some of my all-time favourite eateries in the Bay, the eternal evergreens that are always the first on my list to visit as soon as I’m back in town…

Swati Snacks

It doesn’t feel like home until I’ve had a plate of dahi puri at Swati Snacks, the all-vegetarian, canteen-style Gujarati eatery in Tardeo. The lines are long but service is quick and efficient, while the simple interiors and no-fuss approach lets the food do all the talking. Other personal favourites on the menu include lighter dishes like panki – paper-thin savoury rice pancakes steamed in banana leaves, served hot with chillies & chutney; and the moong daal paneer chilla – lentil crepes stuffed with cottage cheese. Deliciously healthy fare.

Swati Snacks, 248, Karai Estate, Tardeo Road, Opposite Bhatia Hospital, Near Javji Dadaji Marg, Tardeo, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400007

The Table

This charming restaurant in Colaba constantly draws you back for its cosy ambience and eclectic, globally inspired menu that strikes a great balance between healthy and indulgent.

Many an idyllic evening has been spent catching up with friends at the communal-style long bar counter. We invariably start with a selection of their smashing salads and small plates – kale has never tasted better than it does at the Table, tossed with Iranian dates and toasted pistachios in a zesty lemon parmesan dressing; while zucchini spaghetti makes sticking to your low-carb diet all-too-easy!

Inevitably though, we find ourselves moving over to the more decadent side – the beetroot risotto and lasagne verdi are particularly good – before finishing up with the salted caramel ice cream sundae topped with peanut chikki, candied popcorn and hot fudge! It’s simple irresistible.

Table, Kalapesi Trust Building, Near Hotel Suba Palace, CS Maharishi Marg, Colaba, Mumbai

Frangipani

My post-workout protein fix for the day is always well taken care off with the incredibly fluffy egg-white omelette soufflé at Frangi, stuffed with spinach, herbs and masala! The bright and airy restaurant at the Trident hotel at Nariman Point, also serves up wholesome pastas and thin crust pizzas, while their after-dinner signature chocolates are a worthy-enough substitute to dessert.

Frangipani, Hotel Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021

Yauatcha

If I’m being honest, I’ll confess that I much prefer Yauatcha at BKC to the original in Soho, London. I love the spacious feel to the restaurant, the laid back yet trendy ambience which has an understated elegance, and the very vegetarian-friendly menu. The extensive selection of dim sum offers much too entice, from the robust flavours of the truffle edamame dumpling to the vegetarian “chicken” dumpling, a delicate number which is both sweet and spicy all at once! Other highlights for me include the crispy golden turnip cakes and of course, the Raspberry Delice – the stunning raspberry dark chocolate mousse sitting lightly on a hazelnut brownie base, is very delightful indeed.