BANDRA BORN — Restaurant in Mumbai

We recently visited Bandra Born, and I’m sad to say that in keeping with a host of other highly ranked disappointments on Conde Nast's list, this was also a let down.

For an establishment that prices cocktails at 950++ (and some drinks well above this), with similarly high prices for food, it is unacceptable that their toilets are no different from hostel loos. The women’s loo was stinking, the floor was wet, with toilet paper strewn all over and the bins overflowing. In the 3 odd hours we spent there, I don't think the loo was cleaned even once. Also, for an establishment with a large capacity, how can you only have one stall each for women and men?

Let's move on to the F&B - there were about 6 cocktails on the menu that night, of which I tried the guava gin one. It was a decent drink - but it had mostly a single discernible note of guava and lacked complexity. Personal opinion - the trend of clarified cocktails is a little tired and overdone, and an easy hack for cocktail bars that don't want to be overwhelmed by a pile of orders that can't simply be pre-batched, but need to be prepared fresh/ on the go. There is a simple joy to a freshly shaken/ stirred cocktail with fresh ingredients.

There was also a special menu from 9:30 PM courtesy a bar-takeover by the team from Mexico City's legendary Hanky Panky. We tried 3 of the cocktails from this menu. This is probably not Bandra Born’s fault, but I was shocked to see how mediocre these drinks were. With the exception of a mezcal-bourbon-sherry cocktail that was rich and smoky, the other cocktails were forgettable/ bad. There was a beetroot twist on the Paloma, that stripped away the refreshing, slightly bitter notes of the grapefruit, and substituted it with the weak flavour/ colour of a beetroot. There was a Tequila-Aperol cocktail that tasted predominantly of Aperol and not much else.

Also, their beer menu is lacklustre.  The standard KF, Corona etc on bottle, and just one Great State IPA on tap.

The food redeemed matters to some extent - the crab with the house-made croissant loaf was fantastic. The tuna balls are a winner - the pickle-y piquant sauce in particular is delicious. The fried chicken was good, but nothing extraordinary. The highly recommended Kerala vanilla cake was a layered, creamy, over-sweet dessert, with a tiny blob of a tart coulis.

I was amused to see that some of the serveware was from Ikea. Would expect a little more vision from a place that’s trying to push the envelope and do something unique.

Regardless of all of the above, the service was nothing short of warm and professional (both on this and previous visits). The staff were exceptional, friendly and eager to show us a good time.

All in all, Bandra Born is a cosy space and their casual dining concept is unique. I just hope they push themselves more to meet and maintain the high standards that they set...

What ever it takes is the motto to follow diligently I guess after returning to India of investing consciously in experiencing the best that this thriving city of dreams, Mumbai has to offer. One such right up the pecking order and recently proclaimed as Number 9 in the Conde Nast Traveller India x Zomato's Top Restaurant Awards had to be Bandra Born by and it didn't disappoint. Explore more and read on this experience.

Incredible old school Bandra vibes engulfed in some delectable offerings and more importantly a place where I finally had some amazing cocktails to savor, especially the Mahura inspired ones presented by the mixologist using the ah-mazing Six Brothers Mahura. Listen to me and buy that bottle or head to Bandra Born for the cocktails, it hits the perfect notes.

Beverage Selection: Mahura Mule - Six Brothers Mahura with ginger ale and lime, no nonsense and ideal for brunch

Kadak Nimbu Sharbat - Six Brothers Mahura, kaffir, sweet lime and soda. Kid you not, the best I have had since a long time. Refreshing and perfect with those bar nibbles

Food Selection: Staff Chicken Wings - Crispy, fried to perfection but was elevated with the sweet : spicy : tangy jsm sauce. Ask for more !!

East Indian Crab Curry Dip - Was not for me personally as I found the true flavor of the crab meat missing but saw this was a hot selling item found on each table

Caramel Custard with Spiced Rum Glaze - Oh la la la, that texture of the custard with the added mix of the rum was the perfect dessertilicious ending to our meal

✔️ Ambience and Location ✔️Cocktails absolutely on point ✔️Appetizers / Bar Snacks definitely recommended ❌Small Plates - needs more work ✔️Value for Money - slightly on the higher side but normal for Bandra standards

Overall - 4 / 5. Definitely recommend sitting upstairs or on the terrace. Although we were guided to the ground floor and not given an option.

If you are on Bandra and thinking for a date, friends outing, celebration or just a super fun vibe time, give Bandra Born a definite try.

#pmlens #fourcoursefoodvoyage #explore #goodfood #cocktails #mahura #bandra #mumbai...

Bandra Born: A Culinary Ode to Bandra Bandra Born, by Chef Gresham Fernandes, is a space that captures the spirit of Bandra, whether it’s a neighbourhood you know intimately or are just discovering through this dining experience. The evening began with a comforting Hot Toddy, just as Ravi, the mixologist, introduced me to Six Brothers Mahura – The Original Nectar of the Gods. This exquisite spirit, derived from the Mahura flower, celebrates India’s rich heritage. On Ravi’s recommendation, I switched to the Kadak Nimbu Sharbat, a blend of Six Brothers Mahura, kaffir lime, sweet lime, and soda. It’s their most popular drink for a reason, refreshing and perfectly balanced. Wanting to explore further, I tried the Guah-wah, a delightful mix of gin, guava, passion fruit and pink salt. Chef Rajan and I, as always, delved into endless conversations about food, accompanied by a tasting of Bandra Born’s standout dishes. The Beet’s Meat, with its intriguing transformation of beets into a meaty texture, set the tone for the evening. The smoked duck with plum and pickled mustard, the chargrilled squid with bacon sauce, and the watermelon ceviche were creative expressions of flavour and technique. One dish that completely won me over was the Anglo-Indian Coorgi Pork. Though I rarely enjoy pork beyond a bite or two, this preparation was exceptional, with tender meat perfectly accented by the freshness of kaffir lime leaf. Desserts at Bandra Born are equally thoughtful and innovative. The Venus Jam Cake with Mixed Berry Sorbet was a visual delight even before the first bite, while the Dense Chocolate Mousse with Passion Fruit Glaze offered just the right level of indulgence. For me, the highlight was the Complex Kela, a dessert that celebrated every part of the banana, including its skin. As someone who loves bananas, it was a revelation. Bandra Born has an energy that’s infectious. Visiting on a Saturday night allowed me to soak in its vibrant vibe, a perfect mix of fun and buzz. If you’re looking for a place that embodies the essence of...