Pop Tate's Dadar — Restaurant in Mumbai

My family and I were to go to Coast and Bloom at Kohinoor Square in Dadar for my father-in-law's 75th birthday. We booked a table for eight via Swiggy and got a confirmation. When we reached, the restaurant was shut, as the staff took a half day off after 3 pm. Since we were in the premises, we decided to go to Pop Tate's (Bastian being above my pay-grade 😭).

We have had a good experience at Pop Tate's earlier at the Phoenix High Street outlet, so I thought this would be similar.

Nope.

I don't know whether the management pays the staff well or whether they pass on the service charge ethically and honestly to them, but every single one of them seemed grumpy. I have a medical condition that restricts my talking as it tires me out quickly, so I was watching the staff instead of talking furiously with the family.

Initially, I got the impression that they were not pleased with an eight-member family because eight-member families in Indian restaurants can be raucous. We are not. We are not soft spoken, admittedly, but not raucous either. Besides, the music was super loud, making conversation difficult, if not impossible.

Anyway, when I saw them go around different tables, their demeanour was the same. Grumpy. Indifferent. Morose. When we asked them to get the cake for my father-in-law, they sang happy birthday and rang bells, but their faces were, and I have no other word to describe them, sad. It looked forced. Unlike, say, at the erstwhile Hard Rock Café outlets, where the wait staff would get into spontaneous choreographed dancing with genuine smiles and grins that got the customers involved.

My initial annoyance turned to sympathy, and while I felt it would be intrusive to ask them why they are all sad and grumpy, it was quite evident that they are. Something is just not right at Pop Tate's Dadar.

The food was just above average, not great; excess sauces and masalas to create the flavours. Due to my medical condition, I could not drink any mocktails (and I am a teetotaller).

Overall, an average experience. I sincerely hope that the management at Pop Tate's takes care of their most important employees - the chefs and the wait staff. Their faces were a cry for help. There is no point in identifying and naming the wait staff. I seriously don't think it is their fault. By keeping your employees happy, I guess your brand will only grow.

Do something, Pop Tate's. Bring the smiles back on your staff members' faces. And yes, don't force them after reading this review. Customers can make out.

PS: I have added a photo from the evening at Pop Tate's, but have masked our family's faces...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Pop Tate and I must say that it was a great experience. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. The ambience of the restaurant was also very nice, with a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

We started off with the Minestrone Soup, which was good but not particularly memorable. The starters, however, were definitely a highlight of the meal. The Cheese Chilli Toast and Potato Wedges were both crispy and flavorful, while the Cheesy Fries with Chicken Pop were a tasty and indulgent treat. The Mashed Potato was also a standout, with a creamy and rich texture.

For the main course, we tried a variety of dishes including the Cajun Chicken Burger, Moroccan Chicken Sandwich, Pop Roast Chicken, Meat Load Pizza, Chicken Steak Sizzler, and Mexi Grilled Chicken Sizzler. Each dish was cooked to perfection and packed with flavor. The Chicken Tikka Biryani was particularly impressive, with perfectly cooked rice and tender pieces of chicken.

The drinks we ordered, including the Classic Lemon Iced Tea, Peach & Apricot Iced Tea, Peach & Passion Iced Tea, and Raspberry Iced Tea, were all refreshing and hit the spot.

For dessert, we sampled several options including the Gooey Dark Chocolate Brownie, Baked New York Cheesecake, Blueberry Cheesecake, Hazelnut Praline Pastry, Berry Cup Cake, and Motichoor Cheese Cake. Each dessert was delicious, but the Gooey Dark Chocolate Brownie and Motichoor Cheese Cake were definitely the standouts.

Overall, I would highly recommend Pop Tate for anyone looking for tasty food and great service in a cozy and...

I've had the pleasure of visiting Pop Tates twice, and overall, I've had a good experience. The interior of the restaurant is really impressive, with a modern and chic ambiance that's perfect for a night out with friends or a date.

The service has been a mixed bag, though. On weekdays, the staff is attentive, friendly, and prompt. However, on weekends, especially after 9 pm, the service tends to slow down significantly. We experienced this firsthand during our two visits.

Now, onto the food! We tried a few dishes, and some were real standouts. The Barbeque Paneer Pizza was excellent, with a thin crust and flavorful toppings. The Veg Lasagna was good, although the veggies were slightly undercooked and chewy.

During our second visit, we ordered the BBQ Chicken Wings, which were absolutely delicious. But the real highlight of our experience was the Prawns Biryani, which is a must-try if you're visiting this restaurant. Unfortunately, the Paneer Burger was a letdown and didn't quite live up to our expectations.

Despite some inconsistencies in service and food quality, we'd still recommend this Restaurant if you are in the Kohinoor Square for its great ambiance, good food, and standout dishes. Just be aware of the potential service slowdown on weekend nights, and you'll have...