Sonsie, Newbury Street, Boston

Sonsie, in my opinion, is one of the "cutest" restaurants on Newbury Street. Often frequented by Ben Affleck and other celebrities, Sonsie has a good selection of international food and amazing service. The cafe section faces the street and offers a true European dining experience. I have always been a fan of the thin-crust pizzas. On my most recent visit, I started with the Olives dish (warm assorted, flageolet puree, rosemary, citrus, grilled flat bread) and the Spinach salad (Fuji apple, aged cheddar, golden raisins, sunflower seeds, poppy seed dressing). The latter was splendid! For main, I had the Mushroom brick-oven pizza, containing caramelized onion, mozzarella and brie cheese. It was slightly on the sweeter side, but still good. We ventured elsewhere for dessert, but I have heard the bread pudding is delicious!

Piola, Brickell, Miami

'Famosi per la pizza' (famous for pizza) is exactly what Piola is. Originating in Italy, Piola has restaurants in over ten countries and offers delicious, thin-crust pizzas. The menu has a selection of over 40 different types of pizza, each individually sized at 12-inches. After much debate, I ordered the Napoli which contained: Mozzarella fior di latte, anchovies (subbed with artichokes), black pitted olives 
topped with sun dried tomatoes and fresh basil. I found the portion to be quite large for what I'm used to, but it tasted so yum that I ended up finishing the entire thing. The drinks were reasonably priced and tasted good as well ($5 Bellinis and Mimosas). For dessert, we wanted to try something different so went for the Coppa Piola (vanilla ice cream served in a biscuit cup, topped with warm chocolate sauce). The ambiance was excellent for a casual catch-up (spent two hours there) and I enjoyed the upbeat music as well. If you're in the area and craving a good, gourmet style pizza- search no more.

Thai House, South Beach, Miami

Fresh Basil

Pad Thai

After tasting the Thai food available in Asia as well as in NYC (post on my favorite to follow in a week!), it's been difficult for me to take a liking to the options available in Miami. Nonetheless, Thai House did an awesome job at fulfilling my Thai cuisine cravings! The portions were very large (the prices reflected this at ~$16 per dish), and I felt that the two of us ended up eating for a party of four.  I tried a sake which ended up being the only disappointing part of my meal. The Pad Thai was excellent as well as a stir fry dish called Fresh Basil (Chili sauce, bell pepper, onion, basil sauce and tofu). The ambiance was very casual and the service was extremely fast, with our order coming out in less than ten minutes. Do request for your dish to be made spicy, if you can handle it! ;-)

Yard House, Coral Gables, Miami

Buffalo Wings (Gardein)

Yard House proclaims itself as an "upscale, casual eatery known for great food, classic rock music and 130 taps of imported, craft and specialty ales and lagers." I came here for happy hours and felt it was a great place to unwind and eat. The highlight of my food experience was getting to eat buffalo wings again... however, these were made with gardein (veggie meat). Nonetheless, they tasted *really* good and the menu offers a variety of other "vegetarian meat" options as well. The servers were very attentive and the number of TVs spread across the restaurant makes it an enjoyable place to go on game days! 

Skye, Jakarta

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Patron XO Cafe

View from Skye

Located on the 56th floor of the Menara BCA Building, Skye offers a stunning view of Jakarta by night. Divided into two sections, one side hosts a restaurant and the other a lounge. I wasn't able to eat at the restaurant so can't comment on the food, but the lounge experience was great! I also tried Patron XO Cafe (Patron silver tequila combined with coffee and chocolate) for the first time and absolutely loved it!

Amuz, Jakarta

Menu

Amuz offers a truly luxury dining experience and excels where vegetarian French cuisine is concerned. The chef, Gilles Marx, had specially prepared a 5 course vegetarian menu (see photo) for us with wine pairing for each course. Each dish not only tasted good, but offered a delicate and unique presentation. I especially enjoyed the Chestnut soup and Black truffles angel hair pasta. The interior design was very classy and the service very personalized. Do visit if you're up for a stylish gourmet meal!

Chef Marx preparing the Black Truffles

Chilled Celery Root Terrine

Tulip Restaurant & Lounge, Seminyak, Bali

Tulip Restaurant & Lounge

Assortment of mezzes

I was never really a fan of Turkish food until I had a lovely meal at Tulip Restaurant & Lounge in Bali. The atmosphere and decor were basic, yet
pleasant and offered a relaxed, Mediterranean lounge feel. To drink, I had the Tulip Exotic cocktail (Bacardi, coconut liqueur, banana juice, and watermelon juice). We stuck to the mezze plates and appetizers and freshly baked bread was supplied in abundance. Some of the mezzes sampled were:

Muttabal - roasted eggplant, yogurt, tahini, garlic
Haydari - fresh and dry mint, yogurt garlic
Antep Ezme - minced tomatoes, onion, chili, pepper, parsley, olive oil
Humus Istanbuli - boiled chickpea puree, cumin, garlic
Beetroots - marinated and boiled with red wine vinegar, garlic, and lemon

The Mushroom Casserole was also excellent (button mushrooms sauteed with tomatoes, capsicum, and onion, topped with mozzarella cheese). The restaurant had an exotic selection of Shisha including ones that were juice, milk, vodka and whiskey based. We opted for a milk based one with double apple flavoring and it was really good. Overall, a superb restaurant and worth a visit if you're looking for an unconventional meal in Bali!

Potato Head Beach Club, Seminyak, Bali

Infinity pool facing beach (night time)

Potato Head is by far my favourite hangout in Bali! Perfect for day or night, this open air venue allows you to eat, drink, and relax for hours in a stunning beachfront setting. Potato Head features an infinity pool (which faces the beach) with lounge chair seating beside it as well as proper dining tables elsewhere in the venue. The DJ plays great house/lounge music, and there's even an open lawn area where you could sunbathe. Not many options for vegetarians on the menu, but the atmosphere totally makes up for it! I tried the Kookaburra cocktail (Potato head's lemongrass gin and homemade vanilla sugar muddled with mint leaves and fresh lime, layered with passion fruit and vanilla foam). I also had a Caeser salad and the Baked Apple crumble dessert. Potato Head is a place not to be missed when in Bali and do try your best to be there for sunset!

Covered section

Pool side seating

CasCades, Ubud, Bali

Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

Located in the Viceroy Hotel in Ubud, Bali, CasCades is known as one of the world's most beautiful and romantic dining locations. I visited for lunch and truly enjoyed the food and the peaceful and natural ambiance. The service was excellent and the tables were well spread apart to offer guests enough privacy. CasCades successfully offers French cuisine with an Asian twist with the chef hailing from New Zealand. I had sampled the following:

Pimpala Road, Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, 2009
Beetroot feta salad: Spring beetroot, baby herbs, walnuts, feta cheese, chervil, and lemon oil sherry vinegar

Beetroot Feta Salad

Vegetarian cannelloni: Roast vegetable and ricotta cannelloni with roast tomato vinaigrette

Chocolate Brulee

Beras Merah

Vegetarian cannelloni

Beras merah: Balinese red rice risotto style, asparagus, wild mushrooms, and ricotta cheese
Custom vegetarian pasta requested to be made spicy
Kahlua Panna Cotta dessert
Chocolate brûlée dessert


Everything tasted excellent. I loved the Kahlua Panna Cotta - definitely a must try! Do visit CasCades if you're in Bali and looking for a serene and satisfying meal!

Bye bye Bombay... My tummy will miss you!

Sadly, my posts for Bombay have come to an end till I'm back again... Below is a select list of other restaurants that I was not able to blog about, but do recommend:

Sanchos, Bandra - Great Mexican food; Love the fiesta nachos, enchiladas, and tres leches cake
Cafe Zoe, Lower Parel - Continental; a MUST visit for unique atmosphere!
Moshe's, Cuffe Parade - Continental; Try the Dukkah fondue and Molten or Gooey chocolate cake
Kebabs & Kurries, ITC Hotel Parel - Indian
Olive Bar & Kitchen, Mahalaxmi or Bandra - Continental; Amazing Sunday Brunch in Bandra
Cafe Mangi, Bandra - Italian; Love the salads and pizzas
Tasting Room, Lower Parel - Continental; Mushroom frappe and Watermelon & Feta salad are good!
Smoke House Deli, Lower Parel - Continental; Great pastas, risottos, and Sangria
Thai Pavilion, Cuffe Parade - Best Thai food in the city
Indigo Deli, Lower Parel, Colaba, or Bandra - Continental; Love the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies
Cafe Ivy Wine Bar & Bistro, Bandra - Amazing and cheap wines!
Under the Banyan Tree, Peddar Road - Open air cafe
Bungalow 9, Bandra - Continental
Pritam, Dadar - Indian; Best black dal
Le 15 Patisserie, Lower Parel - Cupcakes and Macaroons
Yogurtbay, Bandra - Frozen yogurt
Theobroma, Colaba - Brownies and quick bites
Ayub's or Bade Miyan for rolls

Okay, I realized this list could go on and on. Get in touch with me for more suggestions and/or further details! :-)

Corleone, InterContinental Hotel, Marine Drive, Mumbai

Pizza

Hot brie and royal cumin souffle

I refer to Corleone as the hidden restaurant gem of Bombay. Located in the Intercontinental Hotel at Marine Drive, I've noticed that few people know about this fabulous Italian restaurant in the city. The ambiance is classy, the food is fantastic, and the restaruant also has an extensive wine list. I recently visited with my mom for a light lunch (my last meal in the bay...!). We tried the Hot Brie and royal cumin souffle with sweet potato crisp which was good, but felt more like a breakfast item because of dominating taste of the "egg white" in the dish. We also had the Whole wheat margherita pizza with onion, capsicum, mushroom and jalapenos, which was good. In the past, I've also enjoyed the salads, pastas and desserts. I highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking for a classy place to enjoy great Italian food!

Souk, Taj Mahal Hotel, Colaba, Mumbai

Tharid al Khodra with Couscous

Humus beiruty and Grilled halloumi

Souk is the only authentic Middle Eastern restaurant in Bombay (that I've come across at least) and a must visit if you are a fan of this cuisine. Situated at the top (19th) floor of the Taj Hotel, Souk offers a panoramic view of Mumbai's harbour, including the Gateway of India. In Mezzes, we tried the Humus beiruty, Tabbouleh and Grilled halloumi and for main course, the Tharid al Khodra. I absolutely loved the grilled halloumi, and would probably pass on the entrée next time around. I've heard the Lebanese pizzas are quite good and worth a try. I also had the Rose tea to drink, which was lovely. Though pricey, Souk offers great food with a splendid atmosphere!

Punjab Grill, Palladium, Lower Parel, Mumbai

Paan Shot

For some reason, I rarely go to fancy Indian restaurants when I want to eat out in Bombay, but I happened to stroll into Punjab Grill for lunch last week. The restaurant was okay in my opinion... I probably would go to my routine selections the next time I'm craving Punjabi food. Out of everything we tried, the following three items were great: Kurkure appetizer, Garlic Naan, and the Paan shot you get at the end of your meal (lol). We also tried the Kadhai Paneer and Daal Makhani but they were too bland for my liking. I don't really think this place is value for money, but if you're open to experimenting, it may be worth 'a' try.

Cafe Basilico, Bandra, Mumbai

Caesar Salad

Basilico Penne Paprika

Cafe Basilico is an excellent bistro and deli, well-suited for a chilled out lunch or dinner with family or friends. I love the outdoor seating and the fans make it bearable in the summer time. Unfortunately, Basilico does not serve alcohol, but the menu and tasty food make up for it. I recently went for a very light dinner and tried the following: Cafe Mocha, Caesar Salad, and Basilico Penne Paprika Pasta. I wouldn't recommend the salad at all (I barely ate a quarter of it), but the coffee and pasta were great. I've also enjoyed the teas and desserts in the past including the Jasmine Green tea and Cheesecakes. There's also a Cafe Basilico in Colaba, but I prefer the Bandra one. 

Blue Frog (Sunday Brunch), Lower Parel, Mumbai

Buffet tapas

French Toast

Blue Frog is one of the most "swank" places in Bombay. It's typically known as a music experience night spot, however this post covers its Sunday Brunch. I came here in a group of five for one of my farewell gatherings and we absolutely loved the food! Sadly, it was a dry day so we had to opt for the non-alcoholic brunch which was priced at INR 1900 ($34 USD) per person all inclusive. There was a buffet style tapas bar which had a variety of salads, mezes, soups, etc. I ate a little bit of everything (see photo). My favorite part of brunch was the French Toast - literally the best I've ever tried! The pancakes and gnocchi dish were also delicious. Blue Frog has an extraordinary ambiance and I particularly love round-table booth style seating. Definitely worth trying if you're up for a unique brunch experience!

Pizza by the Bay, Marine Drive, Mumbai

I like this restaurant not only for it's food, but also for the stunning ground floor view of the Queen's Necklace. Pizza by the Bay has a great selection of pizzas and pastas and upon renovation, I enjoy the restaurant's ambience as well. We had the garlic bread with cheese, Alfredo pasta with olives and broccoli and the Pizzeria Veggie Lovers with onion, tomato, capsicum, chilli, and spices. The food was decent with a few minor flaws (pizza wasn't baked well done as we had requested) and the service was a little slow. Nevertheless, the place was literally a zoo being a Saturday night (we waited for about an hour for our table), so I'd recommend to visit on an alternative day.

Yellow Tree Cafe, Bandra, Mumbai

Yellow Tree Cafe is perfect for an afternoon lunch or an early chilled out dinner. I visited this restaurant for the former and really enjoyed it. Here's a brief of what we ate:

Appetizers: 

• Beetroot and arugula salad with chevre cheese --> Good
• Vegetarian Caeser salad (wasn't on the menu, but I requested for it) --> Gross... Don't try it!

                                                       

                                                     Entrée:

• Penne in paprika cream sauce with oven roasted vegetables (requested to make it spicy) --> Excellent

             Dessert:

• Warm chocolate and jalapeno cake with vanilla ice cream --> Good

Suzette, Nariman Point, Mumbai

Pasteque Salad

Suzette, Nariman Point

Whenever I'm at Suzette, I forget that I'm in India and feel like I'm chilling at a tiny cafe somewhere in Western Europe. I've been a huge fan of this French Creperie since it opened over a year ago, and I'm very familiar with its menu. There are two locations - Nariman Point and Bandra - but I've always felt that the Nariman Point one has better food quality and service. The salads are awesome! I really like the Pastèque (Roquette, alfalfa, watermelon, feta, and mixed seeds with olive oil and lime dressing) and the Chevre (lettuce, goat cheese, apple, and toasted pistachios with honey dressing).  I feel the dessert crepes are far better than the savoury ones, but they're all still quite good. In savoury, I like the Bleu (blue cheese, fresh cream, toasted walnuts) and the Foret (mushrooms, creamed spinach, emmenthal). For dessert, the simple nutella crepe is great as well as the fresh fruits and melted chocolate crepe. If you are a hot chocolate fan, you CANNOT leave this place without trying the dark hot chocolate... it's literally heaven in a cup!

36 Oak & Barley, Kemps Corner, Mumbai

 Chocolate Mud pie <3

I quite like this place because of it's ability to get the food right, despite having so much variety. The multi-cuisine menu features everything from Italian to Thai to Mediterranean. The place also has a lounge type feel so is great for grabbing drinks and starters. I enjoyed the Sangria Rosso and found it to be reasonably priced relative to other restaurants (INR 350?) In appetizers, the Baked spiced potatoes with smoked scamorza cheese and caramelised onions was yum!! We also tried the Cheese toast with green chili and peanut pesto which was alright. I've had the Thai Green Curry in the past which I do remember enjoying. And finally, for dessert - the chocolate mud pie was delicious! 

The Table, Colaba, Mumbai

Spaghetti

Roasted Red Beets Salad

I was truly impressed with The Table and think it's a successful attempt at fine dining in Bombay. We went for lunch so kept the meal light. I tried the Roasted Red Beets Salad as well as the Iceberg Wedge Salad. Both were excellent, but my recommendation stands by the Roasted Red Beets Salad. The presentation of this dish along with the fact that I actually enjoyed eating beets (normally a yuck for me) definitely won me over. I also tried the Spaghetti with Sicilian green olives, sun dried tomatoes and basil. It was slightly on the creamy side (yes, I've become super health conscious), but tasty nonetheless. The menu caters well to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians and to be honest, I did not find the restaurant to be as expensive as I had imagined or had heard it to be (Approx INR 375 for the salads and INR 500 for the pasta). They also offered wine by half glass which was pretty cool (haven't seen this much in Bombay before). Overall, amazing restaurant and I regret not trying it at the beginning of my Bombay experience!

Trattoria, Taj President, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai

Fiamma Pizza

Caesar Salad (half portion)

This place needs no introduction (I hope) for those of you from Bombay... My uncle introduced me to this place when I was nine and it's been one of my favorite Italian restaurants ever since! I order different things each time I go, but during my last visit I started off with a Caesar salad, followed by the Fiamma thin-crust pizza (onion and chilly flakes), and finally the Cappuccino Tart for dessert.  In the past, I've also enjoyed the  Pesto Basilico sauce pasta as well as the Caprisiosa pizza (mushroom, black olives, and bell peppers). Though mostly known as a late night eatery in the city, Trattoria's Sunday Brunch is also popular. Great restaurant and a must visit when in Bombay! 

The never ending glass of Sangria

Cheers!

My first post covers Salt Water Cafe, a cozy restaurant located near Lilavati Hospital in Bandra, Mumbai. I met a friend there for one of the restaurant's specialties: The Never Ending Glass of Sangria. Basically, you get unlimited Sangria for INR 400 (about $7). I'd recommend this place as an afternoon or early evening hangout. The sangria special is from 8 am to 4 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm every day except Sunday. For food, we played safe with a Caesar Salad, which was well prepared. We also tried the open-faced vegetarian pesto whole wheat bread sandwich served with fries, which was decent. Overall, a fun and casual place suited for long catch-ups with close friends! :-)

First blog...

This is pretty much an experiment... I LOVE eating out and I'm often asked for restaurant recommendations.  So after some persuasion by my close ones, I thought I'd share my experiences in a blog format. Just a few things: 

1. I am not a professional food critic! I am simply sharing my food adventures in a fun and informal format. Hopefully I'll get better at this with more experience, so bare with me till then!
2. I am a vegetarian so my dish recommendations for restaurants will center around vegetarian options. But that doesn't mean the overall restaurant isn't suitable for all! ;-)
3. I would like to keep this blog as private as possible. Please avoid sharing it with anyone without my consent. 

Stay tuned! :-)