CULTURE HOUSE

Regional Vegetarian Indian

Again and again. I've 'discovered' restaurants thanks to you. To you my foodie readers ( who constantly email tweet Instagram to me) my foodie blind dates who accompany me and guide me to their tried and tasted restaurants. My foodie blind dates all over the world too. But today it's about Mumbai. Gratitude to this charming young man who I met while shopping  at his authentic namkeen & sweet store in Grant Road. This was over five years ago. Not only did I munch crunch on many a unique farsan but mithai too. A few years ago Jimmy Thakker had guided me to a restaurant near by. This time  I walked out of the hospital ( Jimmy's 20 year old  Grant road namkeen shop faces the  hospital gate) and  on my spontaneous request he took me to many an eatery. We rejected a few and zeroed in on the one his brother  Sachin Thakker had recommended.And it sure was a yummy adventure  the perfect antidote to.my three hour long medical tests. 

DECOR

Walk up the stairs to this first floored restaurant  and wham! The ornate and intricate ambiance overpowers and coddles. Chandeliers Madhubani paintings and more. They've recreated the ambiance of a royal haveli. 

FOOD

Please  take a look at the photograph ..the spoonful I'm holding closest to the camera is their most unique (hold your breath) jalebi mirchi chaat. It very brilliantly balanced the sweet interplay between sweet and spicy crunchy and squishy. Our next favorite  is Chef Paras s  " tam tam khaman" moist soft spongy flavorful tangy Chaats, small plates. Full meals and more served here Traditional authenticity infuses the 

Bajri khichu. As it does the homestyle 

Achari vaghareli khichdi with sweet  silken kadhi 

And as Jimmy points out Sabudana khichdi is a boon for those on a fast. It  uses only Sindhalu salt . Rich and luscious 

Dryfruit lassi. End with the signature Madhur Milan... it's a rich sweetness overload of motichoor ladoo with rabdi. Super attentive service ( kudos Santosh Pradha) 

MINUS POINTS

As in most other pure vegetarian Mumbai restaurants this one too slips up on the 

Dhanshak which does not deliver the authentic Parsi flavors. Lack lustre Govind gatta with satpadi roti..

Sai bhaji  could do with more punch 

 Papd churi avoidable.  Some of the fusion dishes end up as confusion. No alcohol. Parking very difficult  

MY POINTSometimes names can  mislead and put you off, like this one ..." The Culture  house". Its not a somber museum dedicated to culture ..but   a glamorously done up eatery which serves up tasty pure vegetarian regional cuisines of India. Sometimes the fusion  translates to confusion ...fafda fondue,  bhakri pizza ...and the like. But most of the time it hits the sweet spot. Regional Indian  vegetarian food...jai ho! 

THE CULTURE HOUSE

Soni Building, 1st Floor, Opp. Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Gamdevi, MumbaiTel 23614477Open 11am-11.30pmAv Price for two Rs 1200RATING FOOD 3.5 SERVICE 3.5 DECOR 3.5