Event: XXXL Menu- The Bigger, The Better!!

Date: 22nd September to 30th November.

Cuisines: Continental, Thai, Italian, Mexican & Mediterranean.

Restaurant type: Cafe, Bar & Casual Dining

Time: 12:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Cost: INR 1500 for 2 people (approx.), if considered prices of XL menu.

People come in various shapes & sizes; and so does their appetite. Taking that into consideration, a suburb based Cafè launched it's menu 2 months ago which is one of a kind. The menu has been segregated into 3 sizes- XL, XXL & XXXL; where they serve quantity as per your appetite in generous amounts. And if you're dropping by in a larger group, that's all the more better because Sharing is Caring and that's what encouraged this Cafè to come up with this unusual yet fun menu. We're writing about none other but LIGHT HOUSE CAFE!

We planned a visit to the Khar outlet, which is strategically placed just 5 minutes away from Khar Railway Station. The ambience is that of minimal white washed walls,  quirky light bulbs, elegant woodprinted tables with an ideal collection of music that goes well with the Cafè's  vibe. Also, the bar shelves are stacked with antiques and beautiful show pieces which were indeed a treat to the eye!

The XXXL Festival menu consists of fusion Cocktails, Sliders, Pizzas and a variety of Desserts that you can't miss! To clarify things further, the XL menu for Sliders comes in 9 pieces and 12 & 16 for XXL & XXXL respectively.
Same goes with Pizzas as they range from 10, 14 and 16 inches for XL, XXL & XXXL respectively.

We started off with MH44 Kokam Mojito which is served in a 2 litre bucket. This Kokum Mojito is a refreshing mix of lemon, mint, kokum syrup and Carta Blanca Rum. A perfect cocktail to sip on a sunny afternoon for its refreshing taste and mindblowing quantity. Have it directly from the bucket or pour over to your glass, there's a guzzle for everyone!

Samosa Pav: In- house mini samosas mashed between bread that is made in-house. Flavor packed with Kachumber, spicy mint Chutney, a hint of ketchup and grated cheese. Comfort food at it's best!

Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai: Batter fried Paneer, wok tossed with some veggies and served with Sriracha sauce. This slider is a burst of flavors, for it's sweet and tangy taste. We loved how tender the Paneer was. Definitely try this!

Texas Cowboy: Hot barbeque sauce, gherkins, grilled potato sticks, and cheddar made this slider obviously very crowded and messy, yet giving it an amazing taste of barbequed chicken.

Aatanki: Here's to another favorite loaded with shammi kebabs, fried eggs, hot sauce, onion slaw cabbage and mayonnaise. Creamy, filling yet very light with well-balanced elements for the extra flavor!

I Love Pepperoni: For those who love Pepperoni, you have to try this slider! Stuffed with traditional Italian Pepperoni, scrambled egg, Cheddar and hot sauce.

Buffalo Mozzarella Margherita: Classic Margherita pizza topped with buffallo cheese, tomato sauce and basil leaves. Tasted the best, which goes without saying!

I Need Some Veggies: For those who like their Pizzas with extra toppings, shouldn't miss this! Classic Verdure Pizza with roasted vegetables and Mozzarella.

Paneer Bhurjiwala: Paneer Bhurjiwala is certainly the one with an Indian touch! Spicy Paneer Bhurji  with some Kachumber, Lasuni Chutney and Cheese. This combination was simply perfect and we loved it the most! The pizza is absolutely loaded which is why it is very filling.

Let's Have Salami: Salami being our favorite ingredient, really made us drool over this slice! The crust covered with roasted cherry tomato based sauce, layered with Chicken Salami, topped with Buffalo Mozzarella, arugula leaves and chilly oil. Absolutely recommended!

Please Add Some Seafood: Sure not most of us would like it, but this Pizza is a delight for all seafood lovers out there! Literally "loaded" with shrimps, calamari and fish soaked in white wine butter. Delicious, spicy and a unique combination which we personally loved! 

Moving onto the last course of our meal, which is our most favorite for obvious reasons i.e. DESSERTS! LHC is quite famous for it's mouth watering and sinful desserts.
The XXXL Menu limits to 3 rad dessert options, out of which we tried "Rolled Up For Tripping".

This is probably the best chocolate cake we've had since a long time and are definitely recommending everyone!

The one shown in the picture is size XL. It is also available in XXL & XXXL sizes.

Our entire experience at Light House Cafe was joyful and a memorable one. The staff were very courteous and they made sure to look after each intricate detail of the restaurant. Considering all the aspects viz. F&B, Service, Ambience and Location; Light House Cafe is surely one of our "Go-To" places around the city! 

Cuisines- North Indian, Italian & Mexican.

 

Restaurant type- Pub & Casual Dining

 

Time- 12 noon to 1 a.m.

 

Cost- INR 1300 for 2 people (approx.)

 

Must haves- Chicken Fajita, Teriyaki Chicken Burger & Lemon Thyme Chicken.

 

Cuisines- North Indian, Asian.

 

Restaurant type- Fine Dine & Casual Dining

 

Time- 12 noon to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

 

Cost- INR 2000 for 2 people (approx)

 

Must haves- Kulhad Ke Kebab, Dum Kebabs, and Singh Saab Di Dal Bukhara.

 

Address- Ground Floor, Swami Jayaramdas Shopping Complex, Near Basant Park, RC Marg, Chembur East, Mumbai.

 

 

 

Amidst the busy lanes of Chembur lies an exquisite fine dine, tucked away in a shady spot near Basant Garden (opposite Status Restaurant). We are talking about none other than Singh Saab, which is one of the oldest restaurants in the area. To cope up with the recent dining trends, the restaurant went through a major transformation for its ambience and menu and is now back with a bang!

 

 

The ambience is that of a typical fine dine with wood finished furnishings and wood-carved partitions. There's an entire wall covered with mirror that makes the restaurant appear bigger than it is. The seating arrangement is a bit cramped, as the premise is divided into 3 sections viz. the regular Fine Dine, Private Dining which is separated with a sound-proof glass partition; and an outdoor seating area which is more inclined towards serving the purpose of a casual dining experience.

 

 

The place is otherwise brightly lit and upbeat with foot-tapping Punjabi songs running in the background!

 

Haven said that the menu has been revamped, we were here to specifically try dishes from the new menu. In this era, while most restaurants look forward to introduce global cuisines, Singh Saab's vision to cling onto the roots of Punjab is very impressive and promising!
Apart from the traditional North Indian cuisine, the restaurant also serves Asian food.

 

We started off with a Cocktail & Mocktail each to quench our thirst.

 

Desi Tharra- Obviously a Cocktail which consists Beer and a few other spirits like Whiskey & Brandy. Although the taste of Beer was more prominent than anything else, we ain't complaining unless there's some Beer guzzling happening!

 

Watermelon Mojito- A sweet and sublime Mocktail made of Watermelon essence. This is simply the perfect drink to beat the heat, and was quite refreshing!

 

For starters, we were recommended to try 'Kulhad Ke Kebab' which come in an assortment of 3 pieces. Fleshy Chicken leg pieces coated in a rich marinade of garam masalas and garnished with a thick cheesy layer inside mini clay pots. These kebabs were something out of the world, leaving a heavenly after taste. Although this starter was exceptionally delicious, we feel that the pricing factor for it was slightly high (₹ 325 for 3 pcs).

Paprika Chicken was another starter from the Asian variants, and it's taste was quite good. The chicken was tender, and gave a cooked-to-perfection kind of impression. We liked it more due to it's garlicky taste and perfect balance of sauces.

 

Just as we finished the rounds, a piping hot pot (patila) made of brass arrived on our table. It's mouth covered with wet wheat flour and smoke surrounded by it.
The pot contained a savoury North Indian starter- 'Dum Kebabs'.
Tender and luscious boneless chicken pieces which seemed so inviting and sure did entice our tastebuds!

 

From the Seafood section, we tried Mint Olive Basa and Lasooni Prawns.

 

The Mint Olive Basa undoubtedly was well cooked, exactly how the fish should be. But somehow the combination didn't really go well with Olives.

 

Lasooni Prawns seemed way too pungent and the salt portion was a bit in excess. But the quality of Prawns was uncompromised and it was tenderly cooked.

 

 

Finally moving onto main course, we were literally spoilt for choice due to the restaurant's vast menu. So our host recommended us to try the following:

 

Singh Saab Di Daal Bukhara- This is one of the signature dishes created by the Chefs at Singh Saab. A concept similar to that of Dal Makhani, except this Dal was cooked with only Urad Dal. Slow cooked, tender and creamy textures made us fall in love with this Dal. Pair it with some buttered Laccha Parathas and you're sure to enjoy a good meal. A must try for sure and absolutely recommended by our team!

 

Tawa Mutton Angaara- Absolutely amazing flavours of Mutton blended with Masalas made in-house. A thick gravy which can be enjoyed with rotis or parathas. The quantity is more than sufficient for 3 people.

 

Murg Dum Biryani- The typical tri-color Chicken Biryani with flavor-packed Biryani masalas, not only tasted juicy but also appealing to the eye. We wouldn't mind expressing that this was one of the most delicious Biryani we've tasted across Mumbai.

 

 

We gorged onto some Sizzling Chocolate Brownie with Ice Cream to end our meal. The chocolate syrup is an in-house preparation and tastes best when warm.

 

All in all, our experience at Singh Saab was spectacular. We loved how well the authenticity in flavors was preserved. The hospitality was top-notch and the staff here treats their customers with utmost respect. Also, the service time wasn't too sluggish and the attendant made sure our glass of water never remained empty.

 

With such amazing food and dessert pampering, this place deserves a second visit.
Hence, the overall verdict for 'Singh Saab' is 4.5/5

Cuisines- Italian and Mexican

Restaurant type- Casual Dining, serves only Vegetarian food.

Time- 12 noon to 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Cost- INR 1500 for 2 people with alcohol. (approx)

Address- 1st floor, Platinum Techno Park, near Vashi Railway station, Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

Navi Mumbai now has it's own Italian restaurant, just when Little Italy from Juhu extended their branch to Vashi.

Located on the first floor of Platinum Techno Park (above Mahesh Lunch Home) is a spacious & lavish premise occupied by the restaurant. Spacious, as much as it can accommodate almost 60 guests at once.

Generally the restaurant hosts buffet lunch during weekdays & weekends. But to add more excitement to the menu, they have come up with a Venetian Food Festival bringing all the authentic tastes of Venice to our city. The buffet spread is worth 599 INR plus taxes. One can chose from their impressive variety of Pizzas and get your own Pasta made from the live pasta counter as well.

Aglio Olio

Aglio Olio: This is one of their signature pastas made with fresh bell peppers, seasoning, drizzled with Olive oil and contains no cheese at all. A very good option for the health conscious ones!

Pasta in Cream Sauce

Pasta in Cream Sauce: We customised this pasta at the live pasta counter with Farfalle pasta with cream cheese sauce as the base. The fresh vegetables consisted of babycorns, olives, broccoli, mushroom, bell peppers and jalapenos.

Pizza Montello: Fresh tomato sauce on the base topped with large slices of roasted Mushrooms, onions, bell peppers and Mozzarella. We absolutely loved the Pizza as it was creamy and filled with such delicious toppings.

Nachos with Cheese

Nachos with Cheese: These are your regular Nachos, but made with homemade Tortilla chips loaded with bell peppers and cream cheese. Simple, yet delicious!

Venetian Kiwi Roll

Venetian Kiwi Roll for dessert: This Kiwi Roll was fluffy, soft and gooey; containing rich flavors and the sweetness was balanced aptly.

Bruschetta Al Cacio

While we loved every bit of the above mentioned dishes, we also disliked a few namely- the Bruschetta Al Cacio for being too sweet and dry, Stuffed Mushroom Ricotta since it was majorly overcooked, and Cauliflower Verde because of it's slightly bland taste.

Stuffed Mushroom Ricotta

Cauliflower Verde

Haven said that, we also have high hopes from the restaurant's team to improvise on the dishes mentioned above; and we would love to try them again after they've been revised.

Strawberry Mojito

The service and staff cooperation was excellent and that made the restaurant's overall impression noteworthy.

All in all, we had a good time at Little Italy and also enjoyed the Venetian Food Festival.

Pizza Salento

Tiramisu in glass

Cuisines- Chinese, Thai, Italian & Indian.

Restaurant type- Pub & Casual Dining

Time- 12 noon to 1 a.m.

Cost- INR 1100 for 2 people (approx)

Address- Hotel Wanton House, Plot no. 4, sector 26, Palm Beach Road, Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

The ever bustling Khar outlet is one of the oldest Pub and our all time favorite. Little did we know that the management would decide to expand it's branch along the Palm Beach Road of Navi Mumbai.

The outer appearance and ambience inside remains the same as to the Khar outlet, only to our surprise that this one's a 2 storeyed outlet & more spacious!

So now since there's a new pub in the city, we'll give you a handful of reasons for why you should visit this place:

3WM recently celebrated their anniversary with a complete new menu in food and bar, and made serving drinks in a 'barrel' a statement for the bar menu. 

Apart from these we also loved a few other cocktails like Black Russian  & Long Island Iced Tea.

Being a multicuisine restaurant, the menu not only halts at your regular appetizers, but there are many more fusion dishes that you'll be spoilt for choice.
Our recommendations: 

For the love of Dal Khichdi, 3 Wise Monkeys introduced us to a modified version of this dish by adding Paneer/ Chicken Crispy.

At first we were sceptical regarding its taste, but surprisingly the combination tasted pretty well!
It was so good that we still can't stop thinking about it! 

Team 'The Hungry Cancerian' recommended!

The ambience comprises of dim lights, wooden finished walls & staircases, live music and a bar on each floor. This place would surely make one feel relaxed with it's soothing drinks and some next level comfort food!

And last, but not the least- They schedule Karaoke nights every Thursday where they invite some really talented musicians/ singers to perform. With such amazing talent in-house, you're sure to groove along the musical night.
(By the way, it's Thursday today!)

Hence, now we are sure that you have a good plan awaiting this weekend! :D

3 Wise Monkeys gave us an wonderful experience of all aspects under one roof. Be it food, cocktails, music or service; everything was spectacular and spot on!