5 Spice (Bandra West)

Sugar or spice, all things nice

5 Spice may not be the most well-maintained restaurant in the city, but its gastronomic offerings are among the best stimulants to the city's taste buds. The appetizers (especially the prawn ones) are absolutely fascinating, to the extent that one might just keep ordering more of them till one realises that there is no space left for the main course. Accordingly, one could go straight to the dessert, and be treated to his choice of cheesecakes and ice-cream. Unfortunately, the restaurant is a little starved for space (blame the city for that!), as a result of which the seats upstairs in particular might be a little suffocating (thus the menacingly cold air conditioners). Also, while 5 Spice does serve alcohol, drinking here is not recommended since it tends to act as a bit of a stumbling block (both physiologically and psychologically) in the enjoyment of the culinary delicacies.

Ambience               ★★

★

Service                   ★★★★
Presentation            ★★★★
Taste                      ★★★★★

http://mumbai.burrp.com/listing/5-spice_bandra-west_mumbai_restaurants/13174178__AB##listing

Veg Always (Worli)

A good bite with a proselyte

This place is an excellent bet for those looking for quality vegetarian fare. Especially recommended are the Chinese starters; and the cold coffee, rich with cream, is as good as it gets anywhere. What also works in its favour is the fact that it is a fairly peaceful place to enjoy a good meal, despite the hustle and bustle of its environs. However, the menu card could surely do away with its sermons on ahimsa and the ills that accompany non-vegetarianism as enunciated in the Hindu scriptures. There is no particular need to alienate non-vegetarians given the quality of food it serves.

Ambience               ★★

★

Service                   ★★★
Presentation            ★★★
Taste                      ★★★★

http://mumbai.burrp.com/listing/veg-always-restaurant_prabhadevi_mumbai_restaurants/17712669732__AB##listing

The Elbo Room (Khar West)

Elbow this one aside

This bar-cum-restaurant likes to call itself a singles' bar (a pick-up joint to the less euphemistic among us). Clearly, the food is prepared in a way that encourages you to ignore it, and concentrate on the more important stuff. The signature dish, the Bangkok salad, is but a Thai sideshow, and the less said about the garlic bread, the better. The service is equally maladroit, and one occasionally has to remind the steward of the order placed (and yes, the steward refuses to leave your table unless there is a handsome tip in cash).The only silver lining behind the rather dark clouds (the candle that's lit is just too dim to examine the menu and sometimes even to see what you are eating) is the presence of the large screen running live cricket; so if you continue to remain single even at the end of your quest here (and chances are you will, given the crowd), you will at least have the IPL for company.

Ambience               ★★

Service                   ★★
Presentation            ★★
Taste                      ★★

http://mumbai.burrp.com/listing/the-elbo-room_khar-west_mumbai_bars-pubs-restaurants/1634217346__AB##listing

Chandragupta (Dadar West)

Home delivery recommended

Bang opposite the Shiv Sena Bhavan in the very heart of Mumbai, Chandragupta loves to advertise itself as a 'dating joint'. Unfortunately, with acoustics messed up miserably, you get to hear more of the conversation ensuing from the adjacent table than your companion's voice. That aside, the food is quite splendid, and the portions are often too generous for the mild eater. Of special mention is the delectable mango pickle you get as an accompaniment. If you live in and around Dadar, home delivery is a good option since you get your food (and lots of it at that), and escape the noise within.

Ambience               ★★

Service                   ★★★
Presentation            ★★★
Taste                      ★★★★

http://mumbai.burrp.com/listing/chandragupta_shivaji-park_mumbai_restaurants/126109683__AB##listing