Peshawri

Rest : Peshawri
Meal : Dinner
Loc : ITC Grand Maratha

After a long day in Andheri, i had a meeting in the dreaded Andheri East area, to shorten the drive i set up the meeting at the ITC, they usually are stellar with their food and add to that my Culinary + membership which gets me good solid discounts, i figured it was the sensible course. 

Peshawri of course is essentially a replica of Delhi's famed Bukhara, from the menu to the decor, to the patently uncomfortable seating. We asked to be re-seated but were told they were sold out, which as it turns out was true. There was no seat empty by 930, not sure where this promised slow down is happening. 

we skipped the starters and went into the food, the Paneer Lababdar was suggested as a dry dish to contrast with the dal bukhara. The paneer was delicious, soft, succulent and it went down pretty well. 

the garlic naan was on the money as well. 

the dal bukhara for some reason has never worked correctly for me whilst here, Kebabs n Kurries at The other ITC property the Grand Central does an impeccable version. 

Peshawri is really a non-veg diners paradise however there is plenty for all players. The service is fairly quick and they are pretty friendly and ready to make suggestions. A large group should try the massive naan bukhara. 

To conclude my story on choosing the ITC, it turns out i forgot my culinary plus card and paid full price.

Food : 8/10

Service : 8/10
Damage : FUBAR 

Blue Frog

rest : Blue Frog

Meal : lunch

Loc : Todi Mills, Lower Parel

blue frog is primarily a live music destination, although I have done their Sunday brunch once or twice I have never considered them a food purveyor. Recently fellow blogger, pilot, baker Ashrita (@caramelwings) did a review of their new menu and it looked amazing. 

So on my way to a Bandra meeting I swung by for an early lunch. The new menu is comfort food for the most part. Soup,Salad, Pasta, Sandiwches and a bunch of bar bites. 

A glass of tonic goes well with lunch even sans the gin. The fresh squeezed orange juice was awesome. Malta oranges perhaps.

Feta stuffee mushroom with wasabi mayo. Sounds just like it tasted. Pretty good. O

My fav thing on the menu. Baked Brie with pineapple compote. Diabolical. 

You don't see mas very often, these were not too bad soaked in olive oil but served with the most awesome hummus. They ought to put that hummus on the menu by itself. 

The tomato risotto was pretty awesome,served with a chili and caramelized onions which I've never seen before. Hearty and def one of the strongest looking mains. 

The Lasagna was interesting, everyone has their own little formula, some people like verdure, some rosso. a little light on the flavor with a lot of tomato seeping in, not bad per se but I like my Lasagna red so works for me. 

Overall, the food was pretty good, works as a lunch location and most of it would do well at a live gig as well. Apparently they don't separate lunch and dinner menus anymore, it's all one single menu now which I think works best. 

Service was quick and friendly. 

Food : 8/10

Service : 8/10

Damage : 1300 for two without drinks but awesomely enough it's half off at lunch ! Believe that. 

Smoke House Deli

I like smoke house deli at Phoenix, the space looks like a giant sketch book and the food itself is always consistent, the menu is fairly safe but it makes a good place for a working lunch. 

Excellent mushroom soup, no bits of mushroom unfortunately nor is it hearty but the taste comes through. 

There is nothing quite like fresh baked bread, their basket was spot on. I also had some stunning bread at The Table this past weekend.

Bread served with their two butters both fairly tasty.

The iced tea was strictly okay. 

SMD do the best aglio olio in the city, I've had it picked up for lunch a few times and mrs J swears by it. However this time it was a little off. Not bad per se but actually bland which was disappointing.

SMD has their offering down pat, consistent fresh food and a solid alternative to Indigo deli. 

Food : 8/10

Service : 7/10

Damage 2100 for 2 without drinks