- RUS
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
