Review: G Cafe at Vinegar

  

When we heard of the new boutique cafe that has opened at Vinegar - the store that has been making the rounds in the news in recent times, we were looking forward to give it a try. So we put on our tasting hats and drove off to check out this cozy little coffee shop called G Cafe, snuggled inside the fashion store.

The menu is limited but looks very interesting and innovative. Options include salads, sandwiches, tarts, smoothies and other beverages. Before we started our meal we were told that the portions that that will be served are only tasting portions and will be soon converted into generous servings once the cafe is fully functional. 

To begin with, we ordered the Hazelnut, Almond & Chocolate Smoothie which was quite decent, but then again, you can't really go wrong with chocolate, can you? And the Berry Smoothie (Raspberry + Blueberry + Strawberry) which lacked flavour and could have been a tad bit sweeter. That's where our disappointment ended.

Coming to the food, we first ordered the Mixed Greens, Roasted Almonds & Cranberry Salad. It was nutty, delightful and as amazing as the ingredients made it sound. Since we couldn't decide which open sandwich amongst the two choices sounded better, we called for both. The Caramalized Pears & Candid Walnut sandwich and the Roasted & Marinated Pumpkin with Mozzarella sandwich, both were full of flavour and comprised of interesting combinations of fruit and cheese.

When we thought our amazement ends there, we were served the desserts! The Banoffee Pie was below average but the Tiramisu made up for it. Served in a flower pot with cookie crumbles on top and a strong punch of rum, this one was surely a winner!

Overall, G - Cafe is for all you Masterchef fans, they have blended some great ingredients and put together a wonderful menu. We are definitely going back here, especially for that Tiramisu!

Venue: G Cafe, Vinegar Store

Inside Vinegar Store, 13th Road, Off Linking Road Khar

Landmark: Next to Khatwari Darbar

Phone: 26483826 

 

 

Review: Mia Cucina, Powai

Mia Cucina, translates to 'My Kitchen' has been in Bandra for a couple of years now and is a favourite of most Italian cuisine fans. It feels great to know that they now have an outlet in Powai as well, and this one, is bigger and better!

With a bar right in the centre and walls adorned with paintings/ photographs that are for sale, the outlet is bright and well lit. We were promptly directed to a table and handed the menus, bar and food. The bar menu had a fair list of cocktails, mocktails, wine and beer. The food menu was what made us really hungry; Antipasti, Salads, Pasta/Risotto, Grills and more! 

To start with we ordered for our drinks, Kiwi Mint Martini and the Rosemary and Orange Martini. Very flavourful and not too stiff, just the way we like it. 



Moving on, we started our meal with the Bombil Fritto - Fried pieces of Bombay Duck, crisp from the outside and tender once you bite into them; the Bruschetta Pollo con Olivata - Chicken, olive pesto and mozzarella bruschetta, crunchy, cheesy and delicious!





Amongst the pizzas we tried the Prosciutto e rucola - pizza topped with  italian ham, rocket leaves, mozzarella and the Quattro formaggi topped with mozzarella, gorgonzola, pecorino and parmesan. Loved the thin and crispy crust which didn't make the pizzas too heavy.



For desserts, we loved the White Cheesecake and the Almond Chocolate Cheesecake. It was the perfect ending to a delicious meal! 

Venue: Mia Cucina
G3 Transocean, Lake Boulevard Street, Hiranandani Bsuiness Park, Powai
Landmark: Next to Nature's Basket

Phone: 67094000

Barbeque Masterclass at Renaissance Powai with Nikhil Merchant and Chef Jolly!

We recently got an invitation to attend a barbeque masterclass by the very charming and fun Chef Jolly by the poolside at Renaissance Hotel, Powai. It was a great session of food, alcohol and interaction with food bloggers like Nikhil Merchant, Shweta, Ashrita and Amrita, Shivani, Salonee, Shirin and more.

Here are a few moments from the wonderful time we had at the lunch! 

View all images on our Facebook page.

Venue: Renaissance Hotel and Convention Centre.

#2 & 3B, Near Chinmayanand Ashram, Powai 

Phone: 66927777

Review: Bagelwala

 

After the popular Bagel Shop in Bandra, there is another contender that claims to sell authentic New York style bagels and it's called Bagelwala! The location is a little difficult to spot, technically in the lane behind Title Waves/ Di Bella Coffee. 

A cozy little cafe, Bagelwala gives you a warm and welcoming feel as soon as you step in. We were informed that the wall paintings and name board outside were all hand painted to resemble Balbharati characters. The cafe has an outdoor seating and a tiny indoor seating. They have used the space well and accommodated a small seating area upstairs with a rather scary and steep staircase leading you there.

Once we were seated, we looked around to see games, Taboo, Scrabble and the likes. The menu consisted of various types of Bagels, a few beverages and desserts. We tried the Chicken Jalapeno Bagel with cream cheese in herb bread. Absolutely delicious with chunks of cheese inside, weight watchers, beware! Next we tried the Nutella Bagel which was a delight! But then, you really can't go wrong with anything Nutella, can you? Although we would have liked the bagel to be a little softer and less chewy than it was! The beverages we called for, Honey Lemonade and Mint Iced Tea were quite average and simply a good accompaniment with the food.

We also thought the pricing was a little steep, with one non-veg bagel costing Rs.220 and a glass of Iced Tea priced at Rs.120. But the delivery offer which is 13 bagels for Rs.900 delivered anywhere across the city, is a steal of a deal! 

Special mention to their eco-friendly packaging. All their boxes and dip cups are made of sugarcane and are completely eco-friendly. 

Will we come back here? Most definitely! We hope they introduce some combo meals which would not make a meal here too heavy on the pocket! 

Venue: Bagelwala

Crowne Palace, 23rd Road, Behind Title Waves, Bandra (W)

Landmarks: Near Tawaa Restaurant

Phone: 33789960

Review: Haagen Dazs

When we hear that there's a new dessert shop that has opened in the city, we leave everything that we're doing to go try it out. Haagen Dazs opened its second outlet in High Street Phoenix, following the one at Oberoi Mall, Goregaon.

Priced at the higher end, Haagen Dazs is definitely expensive for a scoop of ice cream on a regular day. But when it's celebration time or if someone else is paying, it's the best bet. This outlet is located right next to PVR and has an indoor as well as outdoor seating. We opted for the fondue instead of the regular ice-creams and we don't regret our choice.

The fondue was served along with a platter of chocolate brownies, sponge cake, chocolate biscuit, a platter of fruits which included apples, oranges and bananas and sixteen mini scoops of ice cream, yes sixteen! As expected, the fondue was delicious and the dish was swiped clean in a matter of minutes. 

Will we come back here? Yes, definitely. Especially on our promotion days! 

Venue: Haagen Dazs

High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel

Landmarks: Next to PVR, Above Dolce Vita

Phone: 43474449