Mamagoto Winter Menu, Mumbai, Delhi

 

Asian flavours are usually an amalgamation of warm and spicy palates, which taste best during winters. Keeping with the Indian winters, pan-Asian fun dining chain Mamagoto has introduced their winter menu with delicious meal bowls and spicy starters, for both the chilly Delhi and the pleasant Bombay winters.

Where to go- Mamagoto chains across Delhi and Mumbai

What we reviewed- The warm and zesty winter menu with a range of soupy meal bowl inclusions

What to wear-  Be completely casual, if you are coming with friends. Obviously dress as your parents ask you to, if you are coming with family

Whom to go with- Anyone! Mamagoto serves alcohol, but is an extremely fun,  

family diner

What to order – From the winter menu, we loved the vegetarian and non-vegetarian version of the Spicy Bangkok Bowl, (Rs 399)—a rice dish with Thai spices and herbs (I am not a fan of Thai cuisine, but if I loved it, everybody will! ); Shinjuku Miso (Rs 549)—a Japanese miso soup with an overload of shitake mushrooms, tofu, sea weed and soba noodles and the spicy and warm Hot China bowl (499)—a glass noodle preparation with a broth of red chillies, schezwan pepper, green beans, sesame seeds and sliced chicken/veg with street momos. Though we were apprehensive about eating an all-beans starter, we were floored by the Straight up beans ( Rs 199, Long beans stir fried with Chinese garlic, red chillies and yellow bean paste) which were tastefully marinated, with the right play of spices.

What’s for dessert- We ordered their signature Caramel Sponge Cake toffee sauce and Mud Cake with ice-cream from their regular menu

Why Mamagoto- Since the chain is owned by two Punjabis, Kabir Suri and Rahul Khanna, you get Oriental cuisine infused with Amritsari spices, the rendition of Asian cuisine Indians usually love. While food director Jaiywanti Dugal has strived to maintain authenticity, ingredients like beef, pork, and fish oil in vegetarian dishes are traditional Asian ingredients which can’t be used in India and hence have been replaced with chicken and other vegetarian oils. At times like these Mamagoto may have tweaked the authentic scale, but the USP of a casual, Asian eatery has been maintained. Quirky interiors, a well informed staff, and an explanatory menu ensure the vision of the founders is intact by keeping Asian dining approachable for Indians. For drinks, we loved the Passion fruit Rum/Lime mix, (Es 299) which came beautifully presented from the bar. The entire winter menu gives you a warm and cozy feel with a lot of meal bowls with warm and well flavoured soups, which are ideal for winters. 

Cost for two – Rs 1500 (excluding alcohol and taxes)

Review: Oyster Sunday Brunch at JW Marriott Mumbai

Tales of the Sunday Brunch at JW Marriott Mumbai had reached me even as I was in Delhi; and how it is constantly pegged as one of Bombay’s finest brunches. Adding a sea food delicacy to their regular Sunday soiree, JW Marriott has introduced The Oyster Sunday Brunch at Lotus Café, housing freshly imported oysters from Burma, along with a range of regular live stations.

Priced at Rs 3986, including taxes and selection of liqueur; and Rs 2727 including taxes and soft beverages, the brunch flaunts an array of live counters, including a cold meat spread and gourmet hand-tossed pizza stations, along with a melodious live band for company. The cuisines are fewer, but the options within each are varied. 

Though the brunch is largely non-veg oriented, being a pure vegetarian, I was still spoilt for choices when it came to their delectable pasta station and the selection of gourmet cheeses from around globe. The weekend we went, the Oriental section had the made-to-order Wonton & Noodle Soup, which commenced our food marathon, followed by a portion of garden salad, grilled prawns and tempura fried oysters. 

While my non-vegetarian friend ordered for herself a Chicken, Basil and Parmesan Pasta, I was caught drooling over their Farfalle Arrabbiata, along with a hand tossed stuffed pizza. There's something for everyone—right from an egg station to a waffle and churros counter and a fine collection of wines from across the globe. 

Too stuffed with all the Continental varieties and in a bid to save room for desserts, we sadly had to skip their North Indian section and jump straight to their acclaimed waffles and range of eggless, sugar-free and fresh fruit desserts.

In conclusion, I can only say that when you are sitting next to (supposedly) Lucky Ali; Raj Kundra passes by with some friends and you find Mahesh Bhatt nonchalantly sitting at the coffee shop, you know you are at a Brunch which Bombay’s finest call their Sunday recluse.

Where: Lotus Cafe, JW Marriott Mumbai, Juhu Tara Road, Mumbai

Date: Ongoing

Time: 12:30 pm onwards

Pricing: Non-alcoholic – 2300 + taxes

Alcoholic – 3300 + taxes

Kids Buffet – 1475 all inclusive (only for kids above 10 years)

Rating- 4/5

For inquiries call, 022-66933344.

P.S. Thank you Afsha Khalfay for clicking all the pictures!

Review: East, Sahara Star, Mumbai

Call it stereotypically girly, but Asian is my favourite cuisine, ever since I was a 3 year old child who had first Punjabi Chinese noodles from a food van at Defence Colony, Delhi.

I know the debate over Chinese authenticity in India never ends, but c’mon, even butter chicken in Mumbai doesn’t taste like the one in Chandigarh, so how can we eat the ‘authentic’ version of a cuisine, which isn’t even ours?

At junctures like these enter restaurants like East, Sahara Star, Andheri which prepare Asian cuisine as it should taste like for the expats and touring Asians, yet add a dash of extra spice here and there, to keep the masala loving Indians happy.

The ambiance is that of a typically dim-lit, golden hued five-star restaurant, beautifully flanked by an al fresco entrance and a live kitchen for company. While the prices are obviously steep since it’s a luxury property, they are competitive, and in the case of some dishes, economical, compared to some stand-alone Oriental chains.

We weren’t served alcohol, so wouldn’t say anything about their selection of wines or pairing with food. But between the vegetarian me and my non-vegetarian partner, we liked their Hot ‘n’ Sour vegetarian soup and Chicken Lemon Coriander soup, respectively. Since there is a live kitchen and a teppanyaki station, we hope to see a lot more action happening at that counter, when we visit next. What bowled us over were their Wok Crisp Mixed Vegetables in Sichuan Sauce and Tempura Fried prawns. For those who love to experiment, the basil chilli ice-cream is definitely worth a try!

Why EAST- The menu is self explanatory, the staff knows what they are serving and the live kitchen lets you see what is being dished up for your plate. You won’t be confused about what to order and you can always ask for your well-informed server’s help. Since the scales tip more towards the authentic side, I am not too sure how many Punjabi Chinese loving people would enjoy it. But it’s worth a visit, for those who like a lighter play of spices on their palate.

Where- Ground level, Hotel Sahara Star, Domestic Airport, Santacruz East, Mumbai

Rating- 3.5

Cost for two- Rs 2500 (excluding alcohol)

Would we go back- When someone from Korea or Japan visits, yes

Flourless Chocolate cake

#MyHungerFix: Roti Pizza

 http://www.smokywok.com/2012/07/thin-and-crispy-roti-pizza-recipe.html

Who said men don’t step in the kitchen! Writer and Graphic designer, Yashovardhan Bhatia shares his 10 minute recipe of Healthy Roti Pizza, when he has absolutely nothing in the kitchen!

Healthy Roti Pizza: 

Ingredients:

- Any kind of base like roti/paratha/dosa 

- Onion/Capsicum/Tomato/Corn/Mushroom (Any vegetable available) 

- Pizza Sauce/Chilli Sauce/Ketchup

- Cheese

- 1tbs Butter/oil

Method: 

- Add a 1tbsp oil/butter to the tava

- Keep the roti to crispen over it (layer two rotis if they're thin) 

- Once semi-crisp take it out

- Spread your choice of sauce over it

- Add chopped vegetables

- Layer it with excess cheese (Not for the health conscious) 

- Bake it in the oven/microwave (oven mode) for 2 mins (If the oven is not an option, keep it back on the tava on low heat and cover it with some utensil for approx 2 mins till the cheese melts.

*Tip: Add some oregano/chilli flakes from your Dominos leftovers.


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