Drawing a Crowd

It’s like an artist was killing time at a deli, absent-mindedly doodling ladles and bagels, pets and baguettes on one of its walls. When this earned him his bread (and meat and cheese) at the deli, he decided to sketch the rest of the house as well. That’s what we imagine must have happened at High Street Phoenix’s new Smoke House Deli, the  latest offering from Impresario (team behind Salt Water Cafe and Mocha) where sketchy walls, bright red chairs and snow-drenched artefacts make for a pretty picture. We only wish the shaadi-like orchid centre pieces could be painted over.

On Surf’s Turf

We’re not sure it’s a coincidence that Aloha is hidden inside a general store named Sea Spray, but this clandestine location (with a well-matched moniker) makes its discovery all the more delightful. bpb’s here to expose this new-ish shop that sells yum gourmet paletas  (Mexican for popsicles usually made from fruit) and Hawaiian shave ice. Waikiki leaks?

Inside this petite shop with frosty treats and warm owners you’ll find a case full of the prettiest popsicles – red apple with flecks of rosemary, translucent with frozen fruit, cranberry with swirls of milk – all the results of owner-chef Sudheer Grover’s years of experiments.

Stick Figures

From the fruit ones and dairy ones, healthy and exotic versions, we started with the fuzzy strawberry cheesecake popsicle that looked like a baby pink cashmere sweater on a stick, and came complete with a biscuit base.  This, also Sudheer’s favourite, is probably as satisfying, if not as filling as eating actual cheesecake. If berries are your thing, we also recommend the terrifically tart three-berry paletas textured with actual seeds that feel like a festival on your tongue. Those visiting post dinner, opt for the heavier dark chocolate or white chocolate versions studded with macadamia nuts and dipped in chocolate sauce. If you’ve just stepped in from the sun, get the refreshing (and bpb’s favourite) guava-pear or the glass-like popsicle with real strawberries and kiwi frozen in them.

For those who missed bpb and San-Qi (Four Seasons)’ Japanese cooking class, we bring back recipes and pictures (see slide show) from last Saturday. Also, Chef Kato says hi.  

Recipe: Kara Age – Soy Flavoured Chicken

Ingredients

250 gms chicken legs with skin
12 ml soy sace
15 ml mirin

What: Kepchaki Momo Cart, Gagangiri Building, outside Tattoo Star, off Carter Road, Bandra (W), Rs 60 for a plate of vegetarian momos.

Why: A new food cart in Bandra is letting off some steam! Supposedly run by a former Mainland China chef, these wheels vend yum momos (don’t let them sit in your kitchen for too long) filled with chicken or veggies and served with tangy garlic sauce. Good enough to Tibet your money on!

When: Cart blanch from 6 pm to 11 pm.

Does Mumbai need more cupcakes? What you think doesn’t really batter because there’s a new cupcake store in Bandra called Cocolicious, with a whole batch of frosted treats waiting to be licked. Well, maybe just one more batch, you know, before the year ends.

Analyse This

Dressed in frosting pink with illustrations of cupcakes, three tiered trays and elegant dessert spoons, Cocolicious, predictably pretty, has a counter full of 'gifts' and even seats two parties. This week-old sweet shop is run by Natasha D'souza, who until last year was a financial analyst, one that didn’t know how to bake. “I borrowed a few recipes from my mum during Diwali of 2010, spent the year practising and then decided just last month to start this place,” she says.  Dream a little scheme!

bpb charts pies from around the city for your holiday meal. Happy Thanksgiving!

Indigo Deli: The Deli's Thanksgiving menu features a bunch of yum pies - pecan, apple and one chocolate s'more that we're definitely going to order. And it was all marshmallow!

Colaba and Palladium, to pre-order your pies call 66551010.

Bombay Baking Co.: The BBC is going traditional with sweet and savory including pumpkin pies with flaky crusts and mincemeat versions.

JW Marriott Hotel, Juhu, call 66933000, Rs 1,100 + tax for the pumpkin pie.

Tout de Suite: Bourbon pecan pie. Need we say more? One of our favourite home caterers, Nidhi Behl also does marshmallow pumpkin pie and other fruit versions.

Visit www.toutdesuite.in or call 9833047724, 21st floor, Hassa Mahal, Cuffe Parade.

What: Cold Food Company, visit the Facebook group here or call 9820536252 to order, pick-up from a Worli house, Rs 260 for 200 ml of honey sesame salad dressing.

Why: Yakuta Sarkari is one cold 'wich, who brews up a range of condiments (marinades, dressings and dips), salads and cold entrees, all of which she caters through her new(ish) food venture. bpb tried and enjoyed intensely creamy asparagus and cheese mousse as well as honey sesame dressing that magically jazzed up our boring spinach salad. Perfect for your festive soiree!

When: You want all things ice.

What: The Irish House, High Street Phoenix, next to California Pizza Kitchen, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Rs 165 for a Kingfisher Blue, cocktails start at Rs  300.

Why: A cold Murphy’s beer, gratifyingly greasy fish and chips and the game playing on multiple screens: The brand new Irish House has all the hallmarks of a good Irish pub. Just stay away from the dried-out nachos and prepare for spotty service. Read the full bpb review here.

When: Opened earlier this week.

Tea Totaller

After conquering the hours between breakfast and lunch (see our brunch review here), one of bpb's favourite Mumbai restaurants The Table is now trying to lure you in for the evening. One look at their three-tiered high tea trays with champagne flutes and tea cups in tow, and you’ll be brewing excuses to leave work early.

In these trays chef Alex Sanchez arranges a spread Enid-Blyton would love - warm scones and cream, mini sandwiches and pretty petite pastries. At Rs 450 for a small tray which can be shared by two, the treats here are quite well priced. There’s also Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial champagne for Rs 550 a flute, and for tea totallers, there’s loose leaf chai, coffee and hot chocolate. 

Good evening, indeed!

Getting there: High tea starts this Friday, November 18 from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm at The Table, ground floor, Kalapesi Trust Building, Apollo Bunder Marg, Colaba, call 22825000, Monday to Saturday, Rs 450 for a small tray and Rs 900 for a large one.
 

A cold Murphy’s beer, gratifyingly greasy fish and chips and the game playing on multiple screens: The Irish House at Phoenix Mills has many hallmarks of a good Irish pub, explaining why it was busy even on a Tuesday night. Slainte!

Housed in a large space with soaring ceilings, decor at The Irish House is predictable yet somehow inauthentic, consisting of (faux?) brick walls, wooden floors, a large horse-shoe bar and eight television screens. It reminded us of a beer saloon at Universal Studios, Singapore.

Hops, Scotch and Other Drinks

Much more pleasing is the robust list of beers, which includes Sagres from Portugal, Belgian Leffe and Italian Birra Moretti. We tried and approved of Murphy’s, Brooklyn Lager and Fuller’s London Pride, all of which were perfectly chilled and farm fresh (although this might change as the bar gets older). They also serve the usual domestic brews - Kingfisher, Tuborg, Fosters, etc. - have Kingfisher, Stella and Hoegaarden on tap and offer two and three litre beer towers. Frat pack!

Non-beer drinkers can pick from a long list of cocktails both usual and unfamiliar. We started with our bartender’s recommendation of the Belgavia, a mix of gin, cucumber and ginger as well as The Ruby, a tall glass of vodka, grapefruit juice, mint and honey. Both are delish and refreshing, although don’t linger over The Ruby too long or the ice will water it down.