Food: Desi vegetarian fare goes chic in Lower Parel

We stepped into Panayaa with trepidation The sister concern of Ithaka Riso and Firki slated to open on December 1 at Lower Parel is touted as a progressive Indian restaurant serving only vegetarian fare So we braced ourselves for a limited variety and an overdose of paneer and potato However a dig into our first starter Shakarkhandi Ki Chaat Rs 350 and we realised we were in safe hands Cooked using the French sousvide method where food is sealed in an airtight plastic bag and boiled the sweet potatoes coated with tangy mint chutney were appetisingAlso readHip Lower Parel canteen offers offbeat menu good ambianceDhokla OxideWe settled into the roomy brightlylit 120seater that presented a royal vibe with pristine white walls ornate mirrors and an al fresco section too Though workinprogress the menu packs in close to 15 appetisers 10 mains salads desserts as well as molecular mocktailsAlso readJuhu restaurant brings burgers fusion curries in its new menuShakarkhandi Ki ChaatDhokla diariesNext we tried Potato Spears Chaat with Peas Ragada Rs 395 With balls of crispy fried potato threads delicately placed on a mound of spicy ragda we preferred this avatar of ragda pattice Fused well with Thai flavours Tofu Coriander Vadai with Kaffir Lime Powder Rs 350 was a crunchy delight We liked the idea of Deconstructed Dahi Bhalla Rs 325 served as spheres topped with a dollop of plain yoghurt However without the quintessential imli chutney the spheres tasted bland Dhokla Oxide Rs 375 won us over with its sheer presentation in sync with the restaurantrsquos name Sanskrit show ostentatiously A nitro blast of dhokla foam was poured onto a chaat basket and a smorgasbord of sweet tangy and spicy flavours greeted usShopping Lady On The Platter PicsShadab KhanKofta connectFrom the main course we liked Paneer Panayaa Rs 475 and Amritsari Kofte Rs 475 With soft chunks of paneer and a lightlyspiced yellow gravy Paneer Panayaa tasted best with Masala Onion Kulcha Rs 195 that were as soft even after going cold Packed with flavours the vegetable koftas cooked in a rich tomato gravy could easily suffice for four Another favourite was the Dal Makhani Rs 375 Unlike its regular versions the lentilladen curry was creamier and comforting with the wellcooked Jeera Basil Rice Rs 275Also readPopular restaurant chain introduces kulfis with a twistMohanthal Cheesecake with Shredded BaklavaSugar smoochWith an edible lipstick a necklace and a neatly constructed white chocolate bag the Shopping Lady On The Platter Rs 595 made for a great Instagram feed However it was high on raspberry cream Wersquod have preferred some more chocolate instead Our pick was the Mohanthal cheesecake with shredded baklava Rs 450Potato Spears Chaat with Peas Ragada Cooked in desi ghee the traditional Gujarati sweet was a hit combination with the cheesecake The shredded baklava added a crunch While we found some dishes overpriced Panayaa does justice to progressive vegetarian cuisine with its tregraves mode presentations and bagfuls of flavoursAlso readMumbais restaurant menus offering quirky dishes with flowersStarts from December 1At Plot No 25 Raghuvanshi Mill Compound Senapati Bapat Marg Lower ParelCall 24926001