The Guide rounds up four snacks worth taking your eyes off TV screens this IPL season (though, you can always look up, since these places also screen matches live)
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Wasabi Japonica at The Irish House
The union between prawns and the fiery sauce made from Japanese horseradish is a successful one. At The Irish House, the prawns are coated in tempura batter, deep-fried and then rolled in a little wasabi paste soothed with a dollop or two of mayonnaise and milkmaid. The result? Crunch-worthy, medium-spicy prawns that taste as good as they look. Make sure to request that the prawns are served coated in crushed pine nuts and raw mango salsa for added punch.
For: Rs 325; AT: High Street Phoenix, second floor, Lower Parel; Call: 43471111/ 12
Also try: The Baked Potato Skins (Rs 225)
Special offers: During IPL Season 5, you can get four pints and one appetiser for Rs 790 and 6 pints and two appetizers for Rs 1,399; Happy Hours run from 5 pm to 8 pm, everyday.
The Guide says: The best part about The Irish House is the buzz, which we imagine must have something to do with all the happy, beer-guzzling suits that mill around here.
Achari Aloo with Babycorn at Indus
Boiled baby potatoes marinated in yoghurt spiked with pickle masalas and grilled in a tandoor might not sound like a revolutionary idea. That is, of course, until you realise that
it’s the supporting cast that plays a crucial role in propping up this dish from ordinary to superlative. The tangy grilled babycorn, the serving of creamy Dal Makhani and the generously buttered paratha are three reasons this potato starter is no ordinary aloo.
For: Rs 220; AT: Hotel Diplomat, BK Boman Behram Marg, Apollo Bunder, Colaba; CALL: 22021661
Also try: The Chandi Kebab (Rs 280); a chicken kebab with a belly of chicken mince and cheese
Special offers: Happy Hours from 6 pm to 8 pm everyday; get one-on-one offers on select house brands, including domestic and imported spirits
The Guide says: This 55-cover restaurant and bar gets crowded quickly, especially on weekends, so best to head here earlier in the evening. If you prefer English music, make sure to stop by before 11 pm, after which Bollywood rules till closing time at 1 am.
Spicy Black Pepper Paneer at Pop Tate’s
We feel for the humble paneer. Routinely brutalised by overpowering sauces and oily gravies, we feared that the cottage cheese had lost its voice forever. We’re happy to report that the paneer is back and singing at a Pop Tate’s near you. The spring onions and bell peppers add sweetness to the fire from the pepper sauce and coarsely crushed peppercorns in this not-so-humble paneer dish. Paneer lovers will enjoy this one.
For: Rs 136; AT: Shiv Shopping Centre, JP Road, Versova, Andheri (W); Call: 26345664
Also try: The Afrikano Chicken (Rs 138); a spicy grilled chicken starter, sautéed with garlic, onions and tomato purée, and finished with a little fresh cream.
Special offers: Happy (but ‘odd’) Hours from 2.47 pm to 7.27 pm; offers on domestic liquor and beer
The Guide says: At the Andheri branch, they have four televisions and a large screen. The best place to catch a match is the outside section, even though it tends to get a little hot. Service tends to be slow in the afternoons.
Cola Lollipops at On The Go
The chicken lollipops served here are different from the ones you can order off the menu of a Chinese restaurant, which is also why we’d happily go back for another plate. Wondering what the chef is doing adding cola to meat? Just his job. We were happy to discover that the sweetness of the cola helps both flavour and tenderise the meat. The crispness of the lollipop is the perfect foil for the juicy chicken. Good stuff.
For: Rs 160 (incl of taxes); AT: 1, Gloria Building, St Baptista Road, opposite Nirmala Colony, near Mount Mary Steps, Bandra (W); Call 7738230777
Also try: The Tuscan (non-veg) Panini (Rs 140); a smoked chicken ham sandwich with mushrooms, olives and cheese
Special offers: They offer a 20% discount to diners (25% for students) between 12.30 pm and 6.30 pm (Monday to Friday).
The Guide says: On The Go does not serve alcohol. Do try the Musk Melon (Rs 80) milkshake, which tastes better than you might imagine melon-pulp will taste.
Also worth checking out!
Foodie Group Mumbai Meat Marathon’s Deesh Mariwala recommends you try:
The Reshmi kebabs and Beef Chilli Fry
AT Yacht, 116 Hill Road, near St Andrews Church, Hill Road, Bandra (W). Call 26422718
The Lemon-Butter-Garlic Fish
AT Hawaiian Shack, 16th Road, Linking Road, Bandra (W). Call 26041749
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