If you ask anyone about iconic restaurants in Mumbai which are still running, you will have very names which pop up. One name which will feature in that list would be Gaylord located at Churchgate. Place has been serving its clients since 1956. It has this amazing European Bistro charm and one of the few places which has still retained how it would be dine in the British era. The place is owned by Kwality group, the same group who also owned the Kwality Brand of Ice Cream. They have their factory / workshop at Marine Lines, closeby.
We first started with couple of soups - Cream of Tomato Soup and Cream of Mushroom Soup along with Garlic Roll with Cheese. Garlic Roll comes from their confectionery shop. Being a mushroom lover, most would assume that I would choose Cream of Mushroom but Cream of Tomato Soup was just killer and tastes absolutely amazing with Garlic Roll. My clear favorite and recommendation to try Tomato soup. Also I am keen on trying the French Onion Soup during my next visit to Gaylord.
Post the soup, we tried Waldorf Salad. Very few places today serve this, since all the ingredients have to be very fresh and though it may sound simple with the ingredients, it is very difficult to get it bang on. Salad had mayo (cold, but not freezing) with fresh fruits like papaya, pineapple and apple. Plenty of Walnuts on top along with Orange slices used for garnishing. Salad was fresh and refreshing, loved it. Must try!
To go along with food, we tried few mocktails - Carribean Medley, Minty Lemon, Minty Melon (Kiwi Based) and Blue Hawaiian. Recommendations would be Minty Lemon (Mojito) and Blue Hawaiian. Blue Hawaiian is Amaretto, Blue Curacao, Lime Cordial and Pineapple Juice. Carribean Medly is a mix of Mango Juice, Coconut Cream and Fresh Mint
Moving on to starters we first tried Dahi Cheese Rolls and Vegetable Kulfi Kebab. Dahi Cheese Rolls are Cottage Cheese stuffed with Dahi and Herbs. Bread crumbs used as coating to hold these scrumptious rolls together which melt in your mouth. Rolls are served with green chutney. Absolutely awesome! Vegetable Kulfi Kebab have Carrots, Beans and 3 types of Bell Peppers (capsicum) put together in Kulfi shape in a sugar cane stick. Kulfis are served in cutting chai dipped in Sweet Chilly Sauce. In case one needs to be chosen over the other, it has to be Dahi Cheese Rolls, must try!
Next we tried from the starters - Vegetable Galouti Kabab and Mini Blue Cheese Naan with Dal Bukhara. For me, the star dish, the highlight of the evening was Mini Blue Cheese Naan. Absolutely amazing, highly recommended, if you miss out on this, you have genuinely missed something. Naan just melts in your mouth and Dal Bukhara is just to die for. Creamy, thick and brilliant in taste. Veg Galoti Kebab again tasted nice, not too dry. But if one needs to be chosen it has to be Blue Cheese Naan.
Moving to the mains - we tried couple of vegetables - Paneer Makhanwala and Chana Pindi. Chana Pindi prepared in the most authentic way, masalas just in the right amount. Paneer Makhanwala was superb too. Along with Indian mains we also tried Baked Continental Dish - Vegetable Au Gratin. Creamy, Cheesy, Yummy, must try.
Finally to desserts - we ordered couple of ice-creams - Maghai Paan and Guava (Peru) and the iconic Caramel Custard, which is extremely famous of Gaylord. I loved all 3 desserts and one can pick and choose basis their preference but would definitely recommend all to try Caramel Custard. Paan is my personal favorite, so I loved it.!
All-in-all, a fantastic experience at Gaylord, one of the best fine dine experiences I have had till date. The food, the ambiance all of it was just so awesome! A special vote of thanks to Mr. Rahul and Mr Suresh who took care of us and ensured we had the best of service and best recommendations in terms of food to try. I don't even have one single point to say where Gaylord needs to work on or can do it better, its just so perfect and amazing. If in town, you have to land up at Gaylord and enjoy a food journey like...
Read moreOverview Gaylord has been a Mumbai Institution. The restaurant combined cafe has never disappointed. The cafe ofcourse was flawless but the restaurant doesn't lack any charm. I ordered the Chicken Cecilia and the Multi Meat Grilled sizzler.
Chicken Cecilia:- The sauce was creamy, thick and rich. I didn't find any flaw in the dish. The tickening agent was unnoticeable (mostly refined flour but couldn't noticed due to the amazing mixing together of all elements) which is a feat of perfection. There was also a taste of some herbs, and the sauce made a solid core. The chicken was well cooked and tender and it was cut into stripes. Though in the sauce, it had it's very own taste. There was a layer of cheese on top and it added a good saltiness. There was a little salt overall, but it allowed independent flavours. Overall it was a well brought together dish cooked to perfection. Flavour-10/10 Cooking-9.6/10 Quality-9/10 Quantity-7/10 Price-9/10 Overall rating-8.9/10
Mixed Grilled Sizzler:- Now this is a long list. There were an amazing number of meats. Sausage, meat loaf, lamb, chicken, bacon and egg. The sauce had a umami and citrus. The egg made mild the sauce and its lemony taste. The sausage didn't have that snap to it, the casing was soft and overall it was among the most inferior parts of the dish. The bacon added well with the sauce and gave a hard texture in rather soft dish. It however lacked a thin fat layer. The meat loaf was cut in cubes. It was like any other meatloaf and added good elevation to the dish. The chicken was well cooked with nice flavoured and smartly cut into bits and pieces for the infusion of flavours. The egg was like a French omlette. Soft and fluppy and added a creamy texture. The lamb was well tendered but gray in the middle. If only it were a little medium or medium well, the dish would be elevated to a new level. The veggies had nothing new in them, the weren't good to taste and mild. These reviews are for individual elements but overall, I enjoyed the dish a lot. It was well balance with spice, umami, sweet, citrus etc. The most important part of sizzler or pot rice as such is coming together of the elements and this nailed it. It made me feel that I am eating a dish in total and not all individual elements provided the fact all meats had to be cooked differently due to different cooking times. It was rather than a dish puzzle solved. You solve small bits and pieces and combine them all together to form a beautiful scenery, in this context a dish. Flavour-9.8/10 Cooking-10/10 Quality-10/10 Quantity-9.5/10 Price-9.4/10 (no carb as such included except potatoes but still cheap for a sizzler) Overall buy rating-9.7/10
Gaylord was a worth experience and deserve a good review. The packing was a little disappointed (semi-hard alluminium cases) but kept the food hot for a long time.
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Read moreI had the most incredible dining experience at Gaylord Restaurant last night! From start to finish, everything about this restaurant was simply outstanding. As soon as I stepped in, I was greeted with warm smiles and a cozy ambiance that set the perfect tone for the evening. The menu was a masterpiece itself, offering an array of dishes that catered to a variety of tastes. The attention to detail in each dish was apparent, and the flavors were absolutely exquisite. I started with the veg sizzlers, which was a burst of flavors and textures that left me craving for more. The main course, deluxe thali, was an absolute triumph. The presentation was artistic, and the taste was beyond words. It's clear that the chefs here are true artists in the kitchen. The service was impeccable. The staff were attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the food they were serving. They guided me through the menu, making excellent recommendations and ensuring that my dining experience was nothing short of perfection. What truly stood out was the attention given to dietary preferences and allergies. As someone with dietary restrictions, I often find it challenging to dine out. However, the staff at Gaylord Restaurant went above and beyond to accommodate my needs, creating a dish that was both safe and delicious. This level of care is rare and highly appreciated. The ambiance was a perfect blend of elegance and comfort. The lighting was just right, creating a cozy atmosphere that made me feel at home while enjoying a fine dining experience. It's evident that the restaurant's interior design was well thought out and contributed to the overall charm. To top it all off, the dessert was an absolute showstopper. The Shahi tukda was a work of art that tasted as heavenly as it looked. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable meal. I can't recommend Gaylord Restaurant enough. It's clear that the team here is dedicated to delivering a remarkable dining experience in every aspect. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a memorable meal, this restaurant is a must-visit. I'm already looking forward to my next visit to indulge in more of their...
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