What you need to know about Veronica’s, Bandra’s newest artisanal sandwich shop

FoodFlavourfulAmbianceBrightServicePromptCostReasonableVerdict2054For those of you who have seen the muchdiscussed 2022 American movie The Menu remember the climax when chef Julian Slowik mdash played by Ralph Fiennes mdash makes a simple yet sumptuous and hearty cheeseburger Thatrsquos the feeling that strikes us while tucking into one of the gourmet sandwiches at Veronicarsquos Bandrarsquos newest artisanal sandwich shop While the story of the film largely revolves around a young couple who travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant and are met with some shocking surprises it also talks about the soulsatisfying joy that simple wellcrafted meals can bring sans the gimmicks that often accompany finedining experiencesThe Italian job sandwichWhen we arrive at Veronicarsquos located on the eponymous Veronica Street a narrow bylane in Ranwar village we are welcomed by snaking queues It is 630 pm on a Saturday and we are told that the wait time for a table is 45 minutes Since the space inside the new eatery the erstwhile St Jude Bakery is a tad cramped we decide to wait outsideWe snatch a glimpse of a fun Bandra Bulletin pin board that has postits with job opportunities notes about upcoming workshops and a bunch of freelancers offering their services One postit by a popular Mumbaibased politician eggs the local politicallyinclined to connect with him Itrsquos a nice touch that may work towards making the place the neighbourhood cafeacute for work and hangout fun For that the 28seater needs more space Therersquos also a small section from where you can pick up select goodies from The Bombay Sweet Shop as well as packs of coffee beansThe graffitied exterior of the cafeacuteWhile the faccedilade and the front sections display brightly painted graffiti walls the dinein space is a contrast with a large communitystyle wooden table and cushioned benches washed in muted colours Smaller tables are placed around a yellow sandwich and coffee bar You can hang by this bar that serves kombuchas on tap and artisanal coffee and offers a display of their bakery goodies while you wait for a table But we noticed that too many people eye this spot There are no table reservations and hence crowds and queues emerge within and outside the cafe We hope this is addressed over timeThe stars on the menu are the thick loaded slurpy messy sandwiches The owners Hunger Inc mdash that also runs The Bombay Canteen Orsquo Pedro and The Bombay Sweet Shop place a hattip to late chef Floyd Cardoz investor and mentor at Hunger Inc Cardoz who grew up in the rsquohood loved his bread In an attempt to eat clean we request for our sandwiches to be made in glutenfree bread it will cost an additional Rs 100 The food arrives quickly The first pick is the Italian job sandwich Rs 700 that includes mortadella smoked ham and buffalo mozzarella It was reminiscent of those mommade happy ham sandwiches that she would pack into our school lunchboxZen with green tea Kashmiri lavender and lemongrassThe sandwiches are big and bold and make for satisfying meals The pass the pastrami sandwich Rs 775 with charred smoky buff crunchy cucumber dill pickle and stoneground mustard is an ode to the sandwiches yoursquod find in tiny bakeries in Bandrarsquos bylanes Since our mission was to make healthier eating choices we also order a Burra Burra bowl Rs 650 a refreshing break for the palate with tomatoes greens basil a house salad mix and a generous dollop of burrata all topped with crispy quinoa While we are absolutely stuffed we did notice the big Floyd mdash pillowy soft milk buns filled with fried chicken that was ordered at the table beside ours This goodie is chef Shahzad Hussainrsquos executive chef for the group dedication to chef CardozWe wash down our housemade fries with the kombuchas on tap by Bombay Duck Brewery We prefer the refreshing Zen Rs 275 with green tea Kashmiri lavender and lemongrass over the flower power Rs 275 which had green tea rose and stinging nettle There are Austrian Argentinian French South African and Indian wines on the menu too some with unpronuncable names and are listed under a section called Pour Gibberish The wines are also listed as per moods like lsquoIrsquom on a datersquo and lsquoIrsquove had a long dayrsquoPatrons at the cafeMost of the desserts were sold out when we got there Therersquos an elaborate breakfast menu featuring Turkish eggs and breakfast momos inspired by the Chinese breakfasts at Kolkatarsquos Tiretta Bazaar choriz babka glutenfree buckwheat loaf truffle mushroom puffs Ferrero Rocher pain au chocolat pork sausage rolls and a lot more Wersquoll save those for our next visitVeronicarsquosAt Waroda Road off Hill Road Ranwar Bandra WestTime 8 am to 11 pmCall 9372981697Cost Rs 1600 for an average meal for2 without alcohol Rs 2500 with alcohol44 Exceptional 34 Excellent 24 very Good 14 Good 054 Average Veronicarsquos didnrsquot know we were there The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals