Cafe Samovar (Colaba)

Food for thought and expression

Nestled within the Jahangir Art Gallery, the epicentre of Mumbai's artistic world, Samovar calls itself the 'legendary art cafe'. The ambience certainly gives one a feeling of the quaint even within its rather small area, with the decors being a decent mix of contemporary Indian art and craft across the length and breadth of the country. It is a place where you discuss art and literature over steaming cups of tea for hours, and the stewards expect you to have time accordingly and thus not to hurry them up. If you are in the mood for a meal though, the Chicken Thai Salad is highly recommended for the way the quintessential Thai flavour is brought to the core even without the traditional curry. While the quantity looks a little low in the beginning, one is full by the time the bowl is empty. A fresh lime soda to go along is just the right thing, as you put your mind to some serious discussion between strawfuls of the sweet and the sour. The meal can be rounded off with an ice-cream, where there is not too much Samovar needs to do to satisfy the patron. The non-acceptance of payment cards (probably because it was assumed that independent artists would not be given Credit Cards by any bank, and Debit Card usage at Point of Sale was not in vogue at the time) here is a bit of a worry, and it might be a good idea to visit the HDFC Bank ATM before the meal rather than after it!

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

http://mumbai.burrp.com/listing/samovar_fort_mumbai_cafes-restaurants/17751732