Turn Over a New Beef

This could be our White Castle, we thought, as we made our way to The Big Nasty! last night, Union Park’s newest burger bistro, a stoner’s throw away from Olive. Here we were told, “enormously huge” burgers, unapologetically messy and delish, could be washed down with Millers and Hoegaarden on tap. Four bad burgers and one juicy double fantasy later (Gondola’s beef burger), we had few nice things to report back to Harold and Kumar.

Toto, I Have a Feeling We’re Not in Kansas Anymore

Built handsomely, the place not the burgers, The Big Nasty! (from the guys behind Wtf! bar) comes with heavy iron chairs, caged lights, aluminium floors and grungy grills – think upscale version of Toto’s Garage Pub– and also tons of space in-between tables, a feature that made us want to move all Friday night beer plans here. Note: Try and book one of the two corner tables with big window panes overlooking a park. Certain incongruous elements like coloured glass panes, clay masks and pretty aerial plants at the entrance, can be overlooked.

Spaghetti Sequel

Culinary enthusiasts, book your tickets to the mid-week release (or so they promise) of Don 2, as Italian restaurant Don Giovanni readies to launch its first take-away only joint in Juhu, opposite the Marriott Hotel.

If you haven’t eaten at the restaurant before (you should choke on your spaghetti), know that Juhu’s Don Giovanni is somewhat of an institution – it also had a brief stint at Atria Mall, Worli - where many officials from the Italian embassy go to eat pizza and pasta when they’re home sick.  If you’ve dined here then you probably know that the authentic treats came with many tenets, including never ask the chef to modify the taste of your pasta and if you bring kids, they must behave.

What: The Big Nasty bar and diner, 2nd floor, above Shatranj, Union Park, Khar (W), call Sabir on 9821524563.

Why: In spite(ful) of the jinx that this space comes with, we hope that The Big Nasty becomes a Bandra hotspot. Featuring diner-like interiors and juicy burgers in the day, this new eatery will morph into a bar after sunset. Located on the second floor, we hear that they’ve even put up ‘no kids allowed post 7 pm’ sign. Growing up?  Look out for the full review!

When: Opens Monday, October 24.

What: Game Over pre-mixed booze bottles at Wtf!, 3rd Road, Khar (W) and Seven Bungalows, Versova, Rs 200 for 300 ml.

Why: When you spot the Ms Pac-Man picture and a ‘Game Over’ sign at Wtf!, it means it’s time to go home. But the party isn’t over yet. Recently, the bar started selling pre-mixed party packs with Old Monk rum and Coke; Blender’s Pride whisky and soda; and Smirnoff vodka and Sprite for you to take out at closing time. The Ms Pac-Man label on these bottles gives us a special kick.

When: When you want to get the (Old) Monk in your Ferrari.

Colaba's newest restaurant 5 All Day, (The Apollo Hotel, Lansdowne Road, behind Regal Cinema, Colaba, call 22873312) shares its recipe for leek and crispy cauliflower crepe. Plugging the leek?

Leek and Crispy Cauliflower Crepe with Tomato and Smoke Scamorza Cream

Ingredients:

For the Tomato and Smoked Scarmoza Cream :

15 gms smoked scamorza cream
10 gms parmigian cheese
50 gms tomato sauce
60 gms cream
2 gms basil
Salt and pepper to taste

Fire And Crackers

If you have teen patti, they have teen pâté: asparagus and pistachio, roasted nuts and cheese, bell pepper and feta. Indigo Deli’s takeaway menu for Diwali parties features these fancy pates and more – hors d'oeuvres, salads, spreads and dessert – that can be ordered 24 hours in advance and picked up from the restaurant, ready to eat at your soiree.

The fun thing about this extensive and not surprisingly pricey food selection is that it offers elegant substitutes for usual Diwali table sightings. So yoghurt chips and dip can make way for egg with whisky mayo and garlic chips, salmon and chive mousse in Parmesan éclairs can replace canapés; and chicken tikka rolls can be ousted off the menu for rare beef and blue cheese wraps.

A tall glass of ruby-pink soda, slurped out of a narrow straw or topped with vanilla ice cream: at age five, it was the ultimate reward, saved for gold stars and special Sundays. PepsiCo brings back the cloyingly sweet taste of childhood with Duke’s Raspberry Soda, which the company re-launched exclusively in Mumbai recently.

This means you can find the drink, stored in retro glass bottles (Masala Soda, Gingerade and Ice Cream Soda flavours will be available in a couple of weeks as well) at most convenience and grocery stores around the city instead of  just handful of Irani joints like Britannia.

And now that you’re all grown up, you can spike the soda with a healthy dose of Bombay Sapphire, or like Ankit Negagandhi (super bartender who most recently worked on the drinks for Ra.One) suggests, any other white spirit. “Just pour in the alcohol, add lots of ice, and you’ve got a great cocktail.”

Cheers!

Crocinful Dessert

Yesterday morning, Schokolaade woke up with a hangover. But that was expected, considering the big launch bash it was treated to the previous night, this new dessert cafe set up at designer Anita Dongre’s Khar store. We walked in around 11 am to find Mumbai cafe staples - yellow walls, cane chairs, framed pictures of food – lying listless under a cloud of post-party fatigue. Slowly though, the torpidity wore off, the cafe rising to offer us quiches and cheese straws, shakes and truffles. The black coffee, we suggested, had better be consumed by Schokolaade to wash down the much needed aspirin.

Housed in a pretty courtyard with a view of Anita Dongre’s various label spaces, the cafe is run by ex-textile engineer Mehul Bhuta and his culinary team who dish out elegant gateaux, truffles, mini cakes and a few savouries.

“What happened to the shack?” commented a concerned patron on a Facebook picture of the new Bademiya, which opened in all its sprawling, concrete glory at Fort earlier this week. Worry not, it’s alive and kicking, serving up hot rolls and chilled Bisleri to late-night partiers, but it has also expanded.

Cement to Be

And expanded how! The second branch is a full-fledged restaurant that fits a hundred and twenty people, split levelled and panelled in marble, with leather seating and a soaring, neon wall installation featuring the legendary eatery’s press appearances. Also on offer is a private party room upstairs (accommodates twenty five) and two take away counters out front. To celebrate the opening, exteriors are draped in fairy lights, every table bedecked with bouquets, huge smiles wreathing faces of old, proud waiters. Like a server at the old Bade’s instructed us, “just search for the place that looks like a wedding.”

Fare and Lovely

What: bpb’s Turning Tables with Chef Conrad D’souza from Pali Village Cafe, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to book a spot, no plus ones allowed, Rs 1,200 this month, BYOB.

Why: It takes a Village to raise our spirits as chef Connie from Pali Village Cafe comes on board to do bpb’s next underground kitchen. He’ll cook up yum Italian treats at a subscriber’s home, while you and 19 strangers eat, drink, chat and hound the chef for kitchen secrets. Read more on the event here.

When: Hamlet and cheese on Tuesday, November 8th at 8.30 pm.