Restaurant Review: Bombay Barbeque

Location: Palm Beach Galleria Mall, Ground floor, Palm Beach Road, Sec 19 D, Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

It was two days before the start of Shravan. Hubby and me both wanted to devour on some non veg delicacies. We had barbeque on our mind. Because of our little monster, we could not manage to leave the house on time. It was extremely late when we left. So thought of checking restaurants serving barbeque in Vashi itself. And... Voilllaaaaa..... Bombay Barbeque came to the rescue. And I was glad we were late...

Bombay Barbeque is located on Palm Beach Road on the ground floor of Palm Beach Galleria Mall. Bombay barbeque can be easily located as it is on the front side of the mall. The place was moderately crowded when we walked in but we had to wait for the table. We were settled in a nice big round table with sofa. It was good as we had the little monster with us who wanted to jump around.

Punjabi Tangdi

For drinks, we had fresh lime and orange juice. Our meal started off with a plate of sev puri. Once we were settled, we were served with Punjabi Tangdi. And then the skewers started coming in. Everything that came to the table was extremely delicious. The skewers were of prawns, Basa fish and Chicken. We had several repeats for the prawns. They were succulent and well marinated. The best part was that the server came to our table to ask if we wanted any changes made. Hubby suggested to make fish a bit spicy and the next round of skewers was made perfect.

I had so many skewers that by the time I was suppose to go for main course, the tummy was just about getting full. As I was heading towards the main course counter, I came across desserts and again main course had to wait. All of the desserts were my favorites starting from caramel custard, firni, Cashew brownie with chocolate sauce, coconut cupcake, chocolate mousse, Chocolate ice cream to name a few... 𝨝𝨝𝨝

Finally, went further to main course section. Everything looked so delicious but tummy had given up by then. So just had fish in oyster sauce and chicken biryani for tasting purpose.

Yet again, left a buffet without having main course... Sigh...

Sure to visit again keeping in mind that main course is equally important although starters are irresistible. 

PS: No pictures as I could not manage phone, food and BABY...

Food: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Ambiance: 4/5

Restaurant Review: North West

Location: 1st Floor, Satra Plaza, Palm Beach Road, Vashi

Since the time a tiny baby has entered our life, husband and I don't get enough time to dine out. All our meals are now in a hurry. During one of my mom's visit, we got a chance to steal some precious time to go for a lunch date. We had decided to go to Satra Plaza and then decide which restaurant to head to amongst all the newly opened restaurants. 

After a quick research, based on the highest rating, we decided to visit North West. And according to me, the ratings on Zomato are completely justified.

The restaurant was very much occupied when we entered as we were quite late. They have cozy seating arrangements with only sofas. The dim lighting and soft music give it an ethereal feel. Since it was football world cup season, the large screen displayed one of the matches. 

They serve buffet as well as a-la-carte. We decided to go with the a-la-carte option. They have a vast menu which includes Indian and Asian as well as world cuisine.

Purple Mist

Hurricane & Purple Mist

For drinks, we ordered Purple Mist and Hurricane cocktail. The drinks were perfect but a little strong for my taste.
The color looks refreshing.

Coming to starters, husband wanted fish while I wanted chicken. In order to avoid a squabble, husband said lets order both. Cheese lovers that we both are, just can't resist a cheesy dish. So, we ordered a Stuffed chilli cheese chicken tikka and mustard fish tikka (as suggested by the order taker). The fish served was Basa. Both the items were great. Cheese in the chicken tikka was less for us but the taste was awesome. Special mention for the fish tikka as it was mind blowing. The taste of mustard had nicely accentuated the flavor of the fish.

Mustard Fish Tikka

Stuffed chilli cheese chicken tikka

We decided to order simple for main course as stomachs were almost getting filled. So, we stick to just one rice dish but wanted to try something new. We ordered Indonesian Nasi Goreng. Its a dark brown fried rice with small pieces of chicken served with fried egg on top. The dark brown colour here comes from Indonesian sweet Soy sauce. This dish was average like any regular rice.

Indonesian Nasi Goreng

Overall the food was great and quantity sufficient. 

Service was impeccable wherein the order taker explained every dish ordered and made sure that we liked the taste. The food was quick to arrive and neatly served. 

Everything was worth the money spent.

Food: 4.5/5

Service: 4/5

Ambiance: 4/5

Restaurant Review: Belgian Waffles

  

Location: Vashi Road, Sector 29, Vashi, Navi Mumbai

Light drizzle, lovely weather, leisurely walk with someone special along the empty roads after a scrumptious meal followed by a chocolaty waffle topped with ice cream... Just heavenly...!!!

This was my personal waffle experience..but frankly speaking, the waffle was amazing.

This place is located on Vashi Koparkhairane road near old Blue diamond hotel. It is easy to miss amidst various new cafes. 

It is a small place with just 2-3 seats and a sofa. But what catches your eye is the decor. The wall sports some fine punch lines and pictures about waffles. One wall is brightly colored in yellow and enhances the overall look.

←Beautified walls→

Now, coming back to the waffle, all I can say is "it was amazing." The crispy waffle was filled vanilla ice cream and smothered with Belgian chocolate to transform it into a waff-wich. Overall very tasty experience.

My Belgian Milk Chocolate waff-wich with vanilla ice cream

The service was average.

Would love to visit again to try out other flavors..

Food: 4.5/5

Service: 3/5

Ambiance: 4/5

Restaurant Review: Mystic Mama Cafe

Restaurant Review: Mystic Mama Cafe

With the Lime Mint Cooler

Location: Sector 7, Vashi

This space in sector 7, Vashi housed a boutique earlier and the dresses there never changed. This being the sole reason I looked at the boutique to check if any dress was sold.

And suddenly, one day, I find that the boutique is replaced by a cozy looking restaurant. But then, I was away from Vashi for a while and did not get to visit the place. Now that I was back to Vashi, I came across this cafe again on Zomato and the ratings took me to Mystic Mama Cafe the very next day. 

View from the glass front

Just to summarize my visit in one sentence, I loved feel of the place.

The name of this cafe is perfect. The ambiance of the place is soothing. It's like a different world beyond the glass walls. This cafe is conceptualized by Mahalaxmi Sundar who herself is a tarot card reader. So, apart from food, Mahalaxmi also take tarot card sessions. The place is beautifully decorated keeping its theme in mind. One can find various books and board games to entertain while waiting for your food to arrive. The only disadvantage of this place is limited seating, It has about 20 seats.

Table with all the assortments

Wall deocration

The food here is very basic. We had Chicken cheesy fries and Chicken popcorn pizza. We loved the fries, they were delicious and very cheesy with the abundant cheese, just the way I like. The pizza was average. I also had a Lime Mint Cooler which was the best. Perfect for quenching the thirst and refreshing.

Chicken Cheesy fries

Since this is a small cafe, it is entirely managed by Mahalaxmi, and so no waiters. The service is usually quick. The best part of this cafe is that it's pocket friendly.

Overall, a quiet place just to go and relax after a tiring day.


Food: 3.5/5

Service: 4/5

Ambiance: 4.5/5

The Tomb of Hercules

Book Review: The Tomb of Hercules

Title: The Tomb of Hercules (Nina Wilde & Eddie Chase #2)

Author: Andy McDermott

This is the second book in the Nina Wilde & Eddie Chase series. As for the first book as well as second book, the title is not at all apt. the book describes the tomb of Hercules in about 30 pages and rest of the book revolves around a different plot. 

The book is interesting, no doubt but very disappointing for people like my husband who buy the book in the hope of reading about the tomb of Hercules. The book starts with a fight between Nina and her bodyguard turned boyfriend Eddie. Just to go against Nina, Eddie goes to help his ex-wife Sophia and gets entangled in a series of unnecessary events. He jeopardizes his and Nina's life to rescue Sophia. But eventually realizes that Sophia had been playing with him all along. At the end, as is Eddie's habit,  he fights all odds and saves the world and his relationship with Nina. 

The author has described some of the plots in minutest details which makes the book all the more interesting. Overall it's a good read if you read without any anticipation of a breakthrough about the tomb of Hercules and historical details.

About the Author: 

Andy McDermott is a British thriller author, former magazine writer, journalist & a film critic. Under Nina Wilde & Eddie Chase series he has written about 13 books and this is second book in the series.

Matar shenga bhaaji

Matar (Green peas) Shenga Bhaaji

Green peas goes well with anything and everything. We have all eaten green peas but have you ever heard of Green peas pod bhaaji. 

Yes... you heard it right. I too was surprised and obviously little hesitant when I heard my mother in law making Matar shenga bhaaji. 

But, to tell the truth, it was very tasty. And, the best part it's simple to make using usual ingredients.

So, here goes the recipe.....

Ingredients:

Onions: 2 chopped

Tomato: 1 chopped

Garlic: 2 cloves crushed

Cumin: 1 tablespoon

Mustard: 1 tablespoon

Asafoetida: 1/2 tablespoon

Turmeric powder: 1 tablespoon

Masala: 3 tablespoons

Ginger-Garlic paste: 1 teaspoon

Coriander: To garnish

Oil: 2 teaspoons

Green peas pods: 250 gms (Wash the pods and remove green peas. From the inner side, peel of a transparent layer and use the other green part. Cut into small square pieces.)

Method:

• Heat oil in a pan.
• Add cumin and mustard seeds. Let them splutter. 
• Now add Garlic followed by onion.
• Saute onion for 5 minutes and add tomato.
• Let the tomatoes cook well.
• Now, add salt, turmeric powder, asafoetida, masala and ginger garlic paste.
• Mix well and let it cook for a minute.
• Add green peas pods and saute for 2 minutes.
• Place a lid and let it cook for about 15 minutes.
• Remove from the burner and garnish with chopped coriander.

Note: This Bhaaji tastes kind of sweet, so add masala accordingly. Tastes great with chapati or as a side dish with Daal rice.

Book Review: The Time of My Life

Title: The Time of my Life

Author: Cecelia Ahern

Cecelia Ahern always seems to amuse me by the content n concept of her books. She does not go the usual way and does not follow a pattern.

The Time of my Life is a kind of love story but the girl here is in love with her own life. It does sound weird but it is not. The story is about a girl who is living her life just for the sake of it without any ambition or appetite. Her boyfriend left her, she lost her job and now works somewhere just to pay bills, she stays in a small room for a house and she does not like her family. She has told lies over lies just to cover up previous lies. And, she is content.

That is where she is wrong. She is approached by her Life and Life turns it around for her. She sees what is right and what is not. Life is a kind of agency wherein some person is assigned to you so as to make sure you don't waver from yourself. I Wish something like this really existed.

Overall, a good read..

About the Author: 

Cecelia Ahern is an Irish novelist from Dublin. She published her first novel 'PS I Love You' at a young age of 23. Till date, she has published about 16 novels two of which have been adapted as movies.